Scroll down to find helpful answers to frequently asked questions for business personal property returns, aircraft personal property returns, marine personal property returns, and freeport inventory exemption applications.
Business Personal Property
What is Business Personal Property?
Business Personal Property assets are any furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery and inventory used in the normal course of your business. Leased and rented equipment must also be reported, however, these assets are reported separately from the owned assets.
Am I required to report Business Personal Property?
Yes. All businesses located in Whitfield County should report Business Personal Property regardless of value.
How do I report Business Personal Property Assets?
Business Personal Property assets must be reported on form PT-50P. The return is available on the downloadable forms page or by clicking this link.
What is the deadline for filing the Business Personal Property Return?
Assets owned as of January 1st of each year must be reported on or before April 1st of each year.
What if I don’t receive a Business Personal Property Return From?
If you do not receive a return, it is still your responsibility to file a return.
What if I move, close, or sell my business?
The Whitfield County Board of Assessors must be notified in writing. By submitting the tax return, answering question 17 on page to is helpful. You may also email (boaforms@whitfieldcountyga.com), mail or visiting us at our with written notification.
What exemptions are available to businesses?
If your business has inventory and is a Georgia Manufacturer or a Distributor that ships products out of the State of Georgia, you may qualify for Freeport Inventory Exemption. To learn more, scroll down to the Freeport Inventory Exemption section.
What happens if I don’t file a Business Personal Property Return or if I file late?
For new businesses, an estimated value will be placed on the account along with a 10% penalty for unreported assets. For established businesses, the account may be subject to audit and a 10% penalty will be added to any unreported or late reported assets.
If I own rental property, such as apartments, houses and/or nightly rentals, including Airbnbs, do I need to file a return?
Yes. Rentals should report all appliances, furniture, and fixtured furnished in the rental unit. Stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, beds, televisions, couches & other furniture furnished in a rental are considered personal property and must be reported.
How can I file a Personal Property Return?
We accept returns a variety of different ways. We encourage businesses, individuals and tax professionals to utilize our e-file service. Taxpayers can also submit their returns via email (boaforms@whitfieldcountyga.com), mail or in person at our office. Mailed returns must be USPS postmarked by April 1st to be considered timely. Postage meter mail will only be accepted as timely if it is received by April 1st.
Untimely returns are subject to a 10% penalty.
Aircraft Personal Property
What is Aircraft Personal Property?
Aircraft Personal Property means any device used or designed for navigation through the air.
Am I required to report Aircraft Personal Property Assets?
Yes. Aircraft with a primary home base, meaning an airport where an aircraft is principally hangered, tied down or out of which its flights normally originate, in Whitfield County should be reported to the Whitfield County Assessor’s office, regardless of value.
How do I report Aircraft Personal Property?
Aircraft Personal Property Assets must be reported on form PT-50A. The return is available on the downloadable forms page or by clicking this link.
What is the deadline for filing the Aircraft Personal Property Return Form?
Assets owned as of January 1st of each year must be reported on or before April 1st of each year.
What if I don’t receive an Aircraft Personal Property Return Form?
If you do not receive a return, it is still your responsibility to file a return.
What happens if I don’t file the Aircraft Personal Property Return or I file it late?
The aircraft will be valued using the best available information and a 10% penalty will be added to all taxable unreported or late reported assets.
How can I file an Aircraft Personal Property Return?
We accept returns a variety of different ways. We encourage businesses, individuals and tax professionals to utilize our e-file service. Taxpayers can also submit their returns via email (boaforms@whitfieldcountyga.com), mail or in person at our office. Mailed returns must be USPS postmarked by April 1st to be considered timely. Postage meter mail will only be accepted as timely if it is received by April 1st.
Untimely returns are subject to a 10% penalty.
Marine Personal Property
What is Marine Personal Property?
“Boats” means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, including jet skis and boat motors.
Am I required to report Marine Personal Property Assets?
Yes. Boats shall be returned to the county where located 184 days a year or more.
How do I report Marine Personal Property Assets?
Marine Personal Property Assets must be reported on form PT-50M. The return is available on the downloadable forms page or by clicking this link.
What is the deadline for filing the Marine Personal Property Return Form?
Assets owned as of January 1st of each year must be returned on or before April 1st of each year.
What if I don’t receive a Marine Personal Property Return Form?
If you do not receive a return, it is still your responsibility to file a return.
What happens if I don’t file the Marine Personal Property Return or I file it late?
The marine property will be valued using the best available information and a 10% penalty will be added to all taxable unreported or late reported assets.
How can I file a Marine Personal Property Return?
We accept returns a variety of different ways. We encourage businesses, individuals and tax professionals to utilize our e-file service. Taxpayers can also submit their returns via email (boaforms@whitfieldcountyga.com), mail or in person at our office. Mailed returns must be USPS postmarked by April 1st to be considered timely. Postage meter mail will only be accepted as timely if it is received by April 1st.
Untimely returns are subject to a 10% penalty.
Freeport Inventory Exemption
What is the Freeport Inventory Exemption?
If your business has inventory and is a Georgia Manufacturer or a Distributor that ships products out of the State of Georgia, you may qualify for Freeport Inventory Exemption. Application for Freeport Inventory Exemption must be reported on form PT-50PF. The application is available on the downloadable forms page or by clicking this link.
Whitfield County does not have a provision for level ‘1’ Stock in Trade of a Fulfillment Center Freeport Exemption or a level ‘2’ Freeport Exemption.
What is the deadline for filing the Application for Freeport Exemption?
The Freeport filing date for 100% exemption is January 1 through April 1. The exemption amounts for late filed applications and supporting documentation are as follows:
• April 2nd through April 30th: Receives 66.67% of full exemption
• May 1st through May 31st: Receives 58.33% of the full exemption
• June 1st: Receives 50% of the full exemption
• June 2nd or later: Shall constitute a waiver of the entire exemption for the current tax year. Reference OCGA 48-5-48.1
Are you required to apply for the Freeport Inventory Exemption each year?
Yes. An exemption granted in one year does not carry forward to subsequent years. Failure to provide the following documentation at the time of filing, or before the deadline, shall constitute a waiver of Freeport Exemption for the current year:
• Inventory verification for 12/31 (balance sheet, trial balance, general ledger, etc.)
• Distributors also must provide sales documentation for prior calendar year detailing total sales made from Whitfield County location and either, sales made inside Georgia, or sales made outside Georgia.
How can I file for the Freeport Inventory Exemption?
We accept Freeport Inventory Exemption applications a variety of different ways. We encourage businesses, individuals and tax professionals to utilize our e-file service. Taxpayers can also submit their applications via email (boaforms@whitfieldcountyga.com), mail or in person at our office. Mailed applications must be USPS postmarked by April 1st to be considered timely. Postage meter mail will only be accepted as timely if it is received by April 1st.
The exemption amounts for late filed applications and supporting documentation are as follows:
• April 2nd through April 30th: Receives 66.67% of full exemption
• May 1st through May 31st: Receives 58.33% of the full exemption
• June 1st: Receives 50% of the full exemption
• June 2nd or later: Shall constitute a waiver of the entire exemption for the current tax year. Reference OCGA 48-5-48.1