Section 50IAC4.2-2-1. Place of filing; assessment

   (a) A personal property tax return must be filed in each taxing district where property has a tax situs subject to the qualifications contained in this article. A return may cover all business locations in a single taxing district. However, if the property is located in two (2) or more taxing districts within the same township, a separate return must be filed reporting the property in each of the taxing districts.

  (b) Personal property that is owned by a person who is a resident of this state shall be assessed at the place where the owner is a resident except where personal property has a tax situs on the assessment date at another location in the state and the property is regularly used or permanently located, in which instance the assessment shall be made in such location.

  (c) Personal property that is owned by a person who is a nonresident of this state shall be assessed at the place where the owner's principal office within this state is located, except where personal property has a tax situs on the assessment date at another location within the state where it is regularly used or permanently located. In such an instance, the return or returns should be filed in the taxing district where the property is permanently located or regularly used. When the owner does not have a principal office in the state, the property will be assessed where located on the assessment date.

  (d) To the extent that residence determines the place of assessment of personal property held by a fiduciary in their fiduciary capacity, the residence of the fiduciary shall govern, except that in the assessment of personal property of an estate of a deceased person, the actual residence in this state of the deceased person immediately before death shall be applicable until such property has been distributed.

  (e) Questions regarding proper place of assessment. If a controversy arises concerning the appropriate taxing district for assessing personal property, the determination made as follows shall be summary and final:

(1) The county assessor shall determine the correct taxing district for assessment purposes if a question arises as to the appropriate taxing district within the county.

(2) The department shall determine the proper county for assessment if the question arises as to which county within the state is the proper tax situs.

(Department of Local Government Finance; 50 IAC 4.2-2-1; filed Dec 7, 1988, 9:35 a.m.: 12 IR 821, eff Mar 1, 1989; reinstated by IC 6-1.1-3-22, eff Jul 1, 2003; filed Feb 26, 2010, 2:43 p.m.: 20100324-IR-050090576FRA)