Tangible Business Personal Property FAQs

Leasehold improvements are taxable. If you make improvements to a building that you do not own, please provide a detailed list of the improvements along with your listing. Examples of leasehold improvements are dropped ceilings, special lighting or lavatories, etc.

Yes, your accountant can list your business property online if they are an authorized agent and have a NCDOR Form AV-59 on file for the taxpayer with Department of Revenue.

Yes, you will have to list farm equipment if you are generating income from it. 

Ownership, value and situs are determined as of January 1st of each year; however, because you were in business on January 1st, you are responsible for taxes for this year.  You may complete an Out of Business form from our Website and if you receive a business listing form next year, please write on it that the business was sold and what happened to the assets. 

If you sold your business after January 1st, you will have to list your business and note on the form when the business was sold, to whom the business was sold and address.

Software is taxable if it is embedded, meaning computer instructions known as microcode that resides permanently in the internal memory of a computer system and not intended to be removed, or it is purchased from a person who is unrelated to the taxpayer and it is capitalized on the books of the taxpayer in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).  Software that is developed from scratch to meet the specified needs of the taxpayer whether done internally by the taxpayer or externally by a third party is excluded; all customized software is excluded.

Instructions for preparing listing forms are attached to the form. Visit Forms and Publications to access the listing form and instructions.

No, we do not accept faxed listing forms. You must mail the listing form in with the original signature.

Yes, you can list your business property by selecting the option that says Online Business Listing System from our website. You can search using the account/abstract number, business name, or address. If you cannot find your account when searching, then please select the option that says start new form. 

Yes, you can request an extension for listing your business. The request must be received or US postmarked by January 31st.
 

An agent of the taxpayer authorized by the taxpayer or a principal officer may sign the listing. The agent must have an Authorized Agent Form on file with the NC Department of Revenue for each taxpayer.

Yes, you must list the supplies that you had on hand on January 1st. This would include office supplies, maintenance supplies, cleaning supplies, fuels of any kind, spare parts for equipment that are not held for resale. Supplies that are immediately consumed in the manufacturing process or that become a part of the property being sold, such as packaging materials or raw materials for a manufacturer, do not have to be listed.

You may change your address by downloading the change of address form found at Forms and Publications or by calling our office at 919-560-0300.

Visit Forms and Publications to download a traditional or fill-in form.

Appraisers apply the North Carolina Department of Revenue Cost and Depreciation schedules to the cost listed by you to determine the assessed value.

You can do a tax bill search by business name to view the account number associated with current and previous tax bills; or, call our office at 919-560-0300.

You may request an extension by selecting the Online Business Listing System option on our website, by mail (PO Box 3397, Durham NC 27702-3397), fax (919) 328-6176 or email (Tax-BPP@dconc.gov) the request by the end of the listing period, January 31st.

Taxes are calculated according to the (Assessed Value x Tax Rate) in your district per one hundred dollars valuation.

Yes, a return is required to be filed with our office each year,listing the cost of all assets associated with your business even if no new assets were purchased.

Yes. You must list your business if you are filing your business as income for Federal and State income tax purpose and receiving depreciation on your assets against your income.

If you listed in the wrong county and your listing was on time, you will not be penalized. However, you will have to furnish proof of filing on time in the other county.

Visit Tax Administration - Business or contact our customer service department at (919) 560-0300.

If you were not operating your business on January 1st, you do not have to list the business for that year. However, if you are in business on January 1st of the following year, you will have to list your business with the Tax Administration Office.

If your listing is mailed to our office, it must be received or US postmarked by April 15th; and if you submit the listing by utilizing our online application, it must be submitted by April 15th.
 

You may be subject to a refund in Durham County if you did not have any assets in this County on January 1st. However, you will have to show proof that you listed your property in another county. You may send a copy of your listing in the other county.

There is added a penalty of 10% for each listing period in which the property was not listed up to a maximim of 60%.

All businesses should list all assets used in the conduction of their business. Examples are: computers, printers, copiers, furniture & fixtures, machinery & equipment, tools, telephone and their systems, fax machines, alarms, display cabinets, racks, etc., cleaning supplies, office supplies. This list is illustrative of the type of property that should be listed, but there may be other assets that should be listed. Additional questions may be directed to the Tax Office at 919- 560-0300. All assets used in a business should be listed whether they are capitalized or expensed, with the exception of expensed computer software.

You will have to list all appliances, such as dishwashers, stove/range refrigerators, washer/dryer, microwave oven, and household furnishing in your rental properties.

All assets used in the conduction of a business or trade is Business Personal Property and should be listed with the County.

CIP is an asset that is being constructed but has not been completed. It can be real or personal property; however, only list personal property associated with your business.

The assessed value of your business personal property is the fair market value derived from the cost, depreciated according to the type of property.

The listing forms are generally mailed the last week of December. If you do not receive your listing forms by the middle of January, call this office at 919-560-0300.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 105-317.1 you may appeal your business personal property value within 30 days of the bill date. Your appeal must be made to Durham County Tax Administration . Appeal forms can be downloaded at Forms and Publications.

The listing deadline for filing business personal property is January 31st, unless you have requested and been granted an extension. The filing deadline is extended until April 15th with an approved extension request.