Property Taxes Law Guide – Revision 2013
 

E

390.0000 ESCAPE ASSESSMENTS

Annotation 390.0055

390.0055 Mandatory Audit. If an audit discloses that computer equipment was incorrectly classified on the business property statement and was assessed at a lower value as a result of the misclassification, the assessor may issue an escape assessment pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 531.4 for the value of the equipment that was underassessed. However, if the taxpayer accurately reported the computer equipment, but the assessor determines by audit that incorrect lives were used that caused the equipment to be assessed at a lower value, the equipment is not subject to an escape assessment. A change in a life table involves the exercise of value judgment, and the assessor is not authorized to correct such an error under Revenue and Taxation Code section 4831. C 1/3/2005; 4/6/2006.