State Sets Utility Property Values

Local governments will receive $1.412 billion in tax revenue in the upcoming fiscal year because of the California State Board of Equalization’s (BOE) assessment of privately owned public utilities and railroads. The values for these properties for Fiscal Year 2016-17 were set at $102.7 billion by the BOE at its May 24, 2016 meeting in Sacramento by unanimous vote. Total values are $2.6 billion more than the $100.1 billion adopted by the Board last year and will generate approximately $36 million more in taxes for local governments than in the current fiscal year. Values were set for 400 companies with property in California. They include telephone (long distance, local, and wireless), gas and electric companies, railroads, and inter-county pipelines. While most properties are assessed by county officials, privately held public utilities are assessed by the BOE statewide. These properties are not subject to Proposition 13 and are reappraised annually at their market value. A “unitary value” includes improvements, personal property, and land. A unitary valuation applies to properties owned or used by public utilities and railroads which are considered necessary to their operation. The BOE determines the fair market value on Jan. 1 of each year by considering market conditions, use of the property, income generated by the property, replacement costs and investments in the property, regulatory climate, depreciation, and other factors. The values set by the BOE are used by county governments to levy local property taxes, which help support county governments, cities, special districts, and schools. Penalties are assessed for late or incomplete filings, or failure to file with the BOE. More information on the BOE’s State-Assessed Properties Program is available at www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/sappcont.htm.