The Application For Exemption Of In-transit Inventory (PT-FMIT) is the Chatham County Board of Assessors form for claiming an exemption for foreign merchandise in transit, merchandise in interstate commerce, or foreign merchandise in the export stream. It is one of the Chatham County property tax forms for business personal property, and it is due on or before April 1. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by the Board of Assessors at the official link.
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What is PT-FMIT?
Application For Exemption Of In-transit Inventory (PT-FMIT) is the Chatham County Board of Assessors form on which a business asks for a property tax exemption for inventory that is only passing through the county, such as foreign merchandise in transit. The printed title of the PDF is "Form for Exemption for Foreign Merchandise in Transit."
In Part I you circle the type of exemption you are claiming: 1. Foreign Merchandise in Transit, 2. Merchandise in Interstate Commerce US, or 3. Foreign Merchandise in Export Stream. The form quotes the Georgia law behind it. Under O.C.G.A. 48-5-2, foreign merchandise in transit means personal property of any description that has been or will be moved by waterborne commerce through any port located in the state. O.C.G.A. 48-5-5 says it acquires no situs, O.C.G.A. 48-5-3 says all property is taxable unless specifically exempt by law, and O.C.G.A. 48-5-10 says property held January 1 must be reported.
Part II asks about the business, the merchandise, its origin, port of entry, destination and the reason transit was interrupted. Part III reports the value of the inventory. Part IV lists the documents to attach. The Board's forms page says this application accompanies the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P) when you file for the foreign merchandise in transit exemption in a county that has passed it.
Who needs to file PT-FMIT?
Businesses that hold inventory in Chatham County and want it exempt as foreign merchandise in transit, merchandise in interstate commerce, or foreign merchandise in the export stream use this form. You choose one of those three exemption types in Part I.
The Board of Assessors' forms page places the application with the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P): it is the attachment used when that return includes a claim for the foreign merchandise in transit exemption.
The form is signed by an authorized person of the business, who prints their name and title above the signature and date. The signer certifies, under penalties of perjury, that the application is true, correct and complete and includes all the merchandise claimed as exempt.
The form does not describe other groups who may file it. It is not the form for freeport inventory: the Board lists a separate Application for Freeport Exemption Inventory (PT-50PF) for that.
When to file PT-FMIT
The form is printed "DUE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1." Because the Board's forms page says it accompanies the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P), plan to complete it when you prepare that return.
Timing questions on the form are tied to January 1. O.C.G.A. 48-5-10, quoted on the form, says property held January 1 must be reported, and Part II asks whether the merchandise was available for resale on January 1 and whether you had a contract of sale for it on January 1. Question 8 also asks for the dates the inventory was stored in Chatham County. The form prints no renewal cycle, validity period or processing time.
Documents you need
- A copy of the shipping order(s) for the merchandise in question, including destination, point of delivery and date (Part IV, item 1).
- A copy of the purchase order(s) indicating quantities of inventory in transit to a specific destination, or the contract of sale (Part IV, item 2).
- A copy of the Bill of Lading from the warehouse or storage facility in Chatham County (Part IV, item 3).
- A complete inventory listing showing each component of the inventory value, such as freight, overhead and LIFO reserve (Part IV, item 4).
How to fill out PT-FMIT
Circle the exemption type
In Part I, circle 1 (Foreign Merchandise in Transit), 2 (Merchandise in Interstate Commerce US) or 3 (Foreign Merchandise in Export Stream), whichever matches the application you are filing.
Enter business and location details
In Part II, question 1, enter the business name and the year. Question 2 asks for the location of the property to be exempt.
Describe the business and merchandise
Question 3: give a detailed description of the type of business. Question 4: describe in detail the merchandise that is to be exempt.
Give origin, port and destination
Question 5: the point of origin. Question 6: the port of original entry into the United States. Question 7: the destination of the property.
Enter the storage period
Question 8: enter the From and To dates the inventory was stored in Chatham County, with month, day and year for each.
Select the reason transit was interrupted
Question 9: circle the letter, A through G, that best describes the purpose for the interruption of transit. Use H and write in the reason if none fits.
Answer the YES or NO questions
Questions 10 to 14 ask about waterborne shipment, shipment from outside the customs territory of the U.S., customs duty paid, availability for resale on January 1, and a contract of sale on January 1. If you answer YES to 14, give the buyer's name.
Report the inventory value
Part III, question 1: the value of the inventory for which exemption is requested. Question 2: the type (Goods for Sale, Raw Material, Goods in Process, Finished Products or Packing/Supplies). Question 3: whether the amount is included in Section One of Tangible Personal Property.
Gather the Part IV attachments
Prepare the shipping orders, purchase orders or contract of sale, the Bill of Lading from the Chatham County warehouse or storage facility, and the complete inventory listing.
Review, sign and download the PDF
The authorized person prints their name and title, then signs and dates the certification under penalties of perjury. Check every answer, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit PT-FMIT
The form names no separate filing channel. It accompanies the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P), so submit it with that return, on or before April 1.
The printed contact details for the Chatham County Board of Assessors are:
- Address: 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Suite 301, Savannah, Georgia 31401
- Phone: 912-652-7271
- Fax: 912-652-7332
- Website: www.boa.chathamcounty.org
Before you send it, check that Part I is circled, every Part II question is answered, Part III is complete, and the four items listed in Part IV are attached. The form is signed by an authorized person. Ask the Board of Assessors at the phone number above which delivery methods it accepts for the return. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting after April 1, the date printed on the form as the due date.
- Skipping Part I instead of circling the exemption type (1, 2 or 3) for which the application is filed.
- Leaving Part II questions blank; the form says to answer all questions and to circle where appropriate, including YES or NO on questions 10 to 14.
- Omitting the "If so, to whom?" name on question 14 when you had a contract of sale on January 1.
- Attaching only some of the Part IV items: shipping orders, purchase orders or contract of sale, the Chatham County Bill of Lading and the inventory listing.
- Giving an inventory listing that shows one total instead of each component of the value, such as freight, overhead or LIFO reserve.
- Leaving Part III question 3 unanswered about whether the amount is included in Section One of Tangible Personal Property.
- Sending the form without the printed name, title, signature and date of the authorized person.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form PT-FMIT used for?
Form PT-FMIT is the Chatham County Board of Assessors application for exemption of in-transit inventory. You use it to claim an exemption for foreign merchandise in transit, merchandise in interstate commerce, or foreign merchandise in the export stream, choosing the type in Part I.
When is Form PT-FMIT due?
On or before April 1, the date printed at the top of the form. The Board's forms page says it accompanies the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P), so it is normally prepared together with that return.
What do I attach to the in-transit inventory exemption application?
Part IV lists four items: shipping orders with destination, point of delivery and date; purchase orders or the contract of sale; the Bill of Lading from the Chatham County warehouse or storage facility; and a complete inventory listing showing each component of value.
Who signs Form PT-FMIT?
An authorized person of the business prints their name and title, then signs and dates the form. The signature certifies, under penalties of perjury, that the application is true, correct and complete and includes all merchandise claimed as exempt.
Is Form PT-FMIT the same as the freeport exemption application?
No. The Board of Assessors lists the Application for Freeport Exemption Inventory (PT-50PF) as a separate form. PT-FMIT covers foreign merchandise in transit, interstate commerce merchandise and export-stream merchandise.
Where do I send Form PT-FMIT in Chatham County?
The form prints no separate filing channel. It accompanies the Business Personal Property Tax Return (PT-50P). The Board of Assessors is at 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Suite 301, Savannah, Georgia 31401; call 912-652-7271 to confirm how to deliver it.
Can I fill out Form PT-FMIT online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the Board of Assessors; you submit it through the agency's channels.
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