Personal Property Tax Law and Legal Definition
Personal property tax means “an ad valorem tax which is imposed on an annual basis in respect of personal property. To qualify as a personal property tax, a tax must meet the following three tests:
(1) The tax must be ad valorem--that is, substantially in proportion to the value of the personal property. A tax which is based on criteria other than value does not qualify as ad valorem. For example, a motor vehicle tax based on weight, model year, and horsepower, or any of these characteristics is not an ad valorem tax. However, a tax which is partly based on value and partly based on other criteria may qualify in part. For example, in the case of a motor vehicle tax of 1 percent of value plus 40 cents per hundredweight, the part of the tax equal to 1 percent of value qualifies as an ad valorem tax and the balance does not qualify.
(2) The tax must be imposed on an annual basis, even if collected more frequently or less frequently.
(3) The tax must be imposed in respect of personal property. A tax may be considered to be imposed in respect of personal property even if in form it is imposed on the exercise of a privilege. Thus, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1963, State and local taxes on the registration or licensing of highway motor vehicles are not deductible as personal property taxes unless and to the extent that the tests prescribed in this subparagraph are met. For example, an annual ad valorem tax qualifies as a personal property tax although it is denominated a registration fee imposed for the privilege of registering motor vehicles or of using them on the highways.” [26 CFR 1.164-3; Title 26-Internal Revenue; Chapter I-Internal Revenue Service, Department Of The Treasury; Subchapter A-Income Tax; Part 1-Income Taxes; Normal Taxes And Surtaxes; Computation Of Taxable Income; Itemized Deductions For Individuals And Corporations]
