The Business Property Questionnaire is a form from the Alameda County Assessor's Office that asks a business owner to describe operations, any closure and recent revenue. It is one of the Alameda County property tax forms for business property, and the printed version states that the Assessor is working out the January 1, 2021 fair market value of the property. On this page you can fill out the questionnaire online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The blank form is published by the Assessor at acassessor.org.
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What is Business Property Questionnaire – Alameda County, CA?
The Business Property Questionnaire is a confidential form from the Office of the Assessor, County of Alameda, that a business property owner completes so the Assessor can ascertain the January 1, 2021 fair market value of the business property.
The cover page explains why it is sent. Given the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in 2020, the Assessor's Office reached out proactively to determine whether a reduction in value is warranted.
The questionnaire itself is short. It asks for the organization name, organization account number and mailing address, then:
- a description of your business operations;
- whether the business is permanently closed (with the date of closure) or temporarily closed (with the period of closure);
- your normal and your current business operating hours;
- how COVID-19 and the Shelter-in-Place Order(s) affected operations;
- business revenue for calendar years 2018, 2019 and 2020, with supporting documentation attached.
It ends with a certification that the information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge, signed by the owner or an agent. The form is a questionnaire from the Assessor's Office and is not itself a property tax bill or a claim for a reduction.
Who needs to file Business Property Questionnaire – Alameda County, CA?
Business property owners who receive this questionnaire from the Alameda County Assessor's Office complete and return it. The Assessor's cover page asks you to complete it to the best of your ability.
- Businesses that are permanently closed or closing: check the permanently closed box, enter the date of closure and provide supporting documentation, such as a lease termination, a letter from the landlord or a final utility bill.
- Businesses temporarily closed due to COVID-19: the cover page says to complete and return the questionnaire, and the form asks for the period of closure.
- Businesses that are open: describe your operations and hours and report revenue for 2018, 2019 and 2020.
The signature line reads "Signature of Owner or Agent," so an agent may sign for the owner. The Assessor lists a separate Agent Authorization (CAA-F03) and a BPP Agency Authorization Form among its forms. The questionnaire does not say whether either is required with it, so ask the Assessor's Office. Property in another California county is handled by that county's Assessor.
When to file Business Property Questionnaire – Alameda County, CA
Complete and return the questionnaire within 15 days. The cover page and the form itself both give that period, and the form repeats it just above the certification. The questionnaire prints no calendar due date. The 15 days are counted from when you receive it, so check the date on the Assessor's request.
If the business is temporarily closed because of COVID-19, the cover page still asks you to complete and return the questionnaire. If it has permanently closed or is closing, you return it too, marking the closure and giving the date. For questions about timing, the cover page gives (510) 272-3836.
Documents you need
- Supporting documentation for your business revenue for calendar years 2018, 2019 and 2020; the form says to attach it.
- If the business has permanently closed or is closing: supporting documentation, such as a lease termination, a letter from the landlord or a final utility bill.
- If the business has permanently closed or is closing: the date of closure, entered on the form beside the permanently closed box.
How to fill out Business Property Questionnaire – Alameda County, CA
Enter organization details
At the top, write the Organization Name, Organization Account No. and Organization Mailing Address, as the Assessor's questionnaire shows them.
Describe your business operations
Under "Please describe your business operations," write what the business does.
Mark any closure
Check Permanently closed and enter the date of closure, or check Temporarily closed and enter the period of closure. Leave both unchecked if the business is open.
Give normal and current hours
Answer "What are your normal business operating hours?" and "What are your current business operating hours?" separately.
Explain the effect of COVID-19
In the space for how COVID-19 and the Shelter-in-Place Order(s) affected your operations, describe the changes to the business.
Report revenue for three years
Enter your business revenue for calendar years 2018, 2019 and 2020, and attach supporting documentation as the form directs.
Sign and date the certification
The owner or agent signs, prints a name and enters a telephone number and date, certifying the information is true and correct to the best of their knowledge.
Review, download and send
Check every answer and attachment, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and return it within 15 days through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Business Property Questionnaire – Alameda County, CA
You can return the Business Property Questionnaire by email or by mail.
- Email: send the completed form to [email protected].
- Mail: Alameda County Assessor, 1221 Oak Street, Room 145, Oakland, CA 94612.
Include any attachments with it: revenue documentation for 2018, 2019 and 2020, and, if the business has permanently closed, the closure documents. The Assessor's forms page asks you to give your name or business name, mailing address, business location if applicable, parcel number if known and telephone number, and warns that without this information the form may not be processed. It also suggests writing the work unit or topic, such as Personal Property, on the envelope.
Questions about the questionnaire go to (510) 272-3836. The toll-free line is (800) 660-7725. The questionnaire itself states no fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Returning the questionnaire after the 15 days the Assessor asks for.
- Leaving the revenue lines for 2018, 2019 or 2020 blank, or not attaching the supporting documentation the form asks for.
- Checking the permanently closed box without the date of closure or documents such as a lease termination, landlord letter or final utility bill.
- Skipping the questionnaire because the business is temporarily closed; the cover page says to complete and return it.
- Leaving out the organization name, account number or mailing address, or sending it without the name, parcel number or phone the Assessor's forms page asks for.
- Returning the form unsigned; the certification needs the signature of the owner or agent, a printed name, a telephone number and a date.
- Sending it to an address other than 1221 Oak Street, Room 145, Oakland, CA 94612 or [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alameda County Business Property Questionnaire?
It is a confidential form from the Alameda County Assessor's Office. The Assessor uses it to ascertain the January 1, 2021 fair market value of your business property, and to determine whether a reduction in value is warranted given the impact of COVID-19 in 2020.
How long do I have to return the Business Property Questionnaire?
15 days. The cover page asks you to complete and return it within 15 days, and the form repeats that period above the certification. No calendar date is printed, so count from when you receive the Assessor's request.
Where do I send the Alameda County business property questionnaire?
Email it to [email protected] or mail it to 1221 Oak Street, Room 145, Oakland, CA 94612. For questions, the Assessor's cover page gives (510) 272-3836.
What if my business is closed?
If it is permanently closed or closing, check that box, enter the date of closure and provide supporting documentation, such as a lease termination, landlord letter or final utility bill. If it is only temporarily closed due to COVID-19, still complete and return the questionnaire.
Do I need to attach anything to the questionnaire?
Yes, revenue documentation. The form asks you to attach supporting documentation for your business revenue for 2018, 2019 and 2020. Businesses that have permanently closed also provide closure documents.
Can someone sign the questionnaire for me?
Yes. The signature line reads "Signature of Owner or Agent," so an agent may sign, along with a printed name, telephone number and date. The Assessor also lists an Agent Authorization form (CAA-F03); ask the office whether it is needed.
Can I fill out the Business Property Questionnaire online?
Yes, you can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not send the form to the Alameda County Assessor; you return it by email or mail.
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