Personal Property Frequently Asked Questions

1. What qualifies as taxable individual personal property?
    
• Boats and other watercraft , airplanes, unregistered vehicles, trailers, campers, income producing farm equipment and manufactured homes (mobile homes).
   
2. When should I list taxable personal property for personal property tax purposes?
    
• Owners of taxable personal property must list with the Jackson County Tax Assessor’s Office during the month of January each year. A 10% late listing penalty will be charged for anyone listing after January 31st of each tax year.
   
3. How is the assessment determined for personal property?
    
• Personal property is assessed at fair market value as of January 1 each year.
   
4. If my boat is registered with North Carolina Game and Wildlife, why do I have to list it?
    
• Boats and other types of watercraft that are registered with North Carolina Game and Wildlife must be listed each year based on ownership as of January 1 in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes.  Boats are not treated that same way as vehicles registered with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.  However, if the boat trailer has a valid unexpired tag, it is considered a registered vehicle (registered by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles) and should not be listed.
   
5. I sold my boat during the calendar year. Will my tax bill be prorated based on the period of time that I owned the boat?
    
• No.  There is no provision in the tax law to prorate individual property taxes except in the case of registered motor vehicles. Therefore, your tax bill will be due and payable as billed.
   
6. Is there any tax relief for elderly or disabled property owners?
    
• Yes.  North Carolina excludes from property taxes the first $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value (whichever is greater) of a permanent residence (house or manufactured home) owned and occupied by a qualifying owner. A qualifying owner is an owner who meets the following requirements as of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the benefit is claimed. Deadline for turning in applications is June 1.
   
• Is at least 65 years of age OR totally and permanently disabled.
• Has an income for the preceding calendar year of not more than $25,000 (including income of spouse).
• Is a permanent resident of North Carolina.
   
7. What does “situs” mean?
    
• Situs means the place at which the property is more or less permanently situated.
   
8. I received a “discovery notice” for my boat, airplane or manufactured home (mobile home). What does it mean?
    
• A “discovery notice” for boat, airplane or manufactured home (mobile home), means that our office has been notified that you are the owner of the boat, airplane or manufactured home (mobile home) and that it is located within Jackson County taxing jurisdiction.  This information is received from numerous sources such as North Carolina Game and Wildlife, mobile home parks, campgrounds, airplane hangars and marinas. If you received one of these notices and the information is correct, it is not necessary to call the office.  You will receive a tax bill in approximately thirty (30) days.
   

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