Frequently Asked Questions

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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions here. Please contact our webmaster if you have an idea for a FAQ, and we will consider it!
Q: How does the Amendment 79 Tax Credit work?

A:
Amendment 79 provides a tax credit for property owners on their homestead (your primary residence) property. There are only two requirements for eligibility:
  1. The property is your primary residence.
  2. You are the owner of record.
The credit is itemized on your Real Estate Tax bill as a credit toward the amount of your taxes due.
Q: If my assessment is frozen (because I am over 65 and I applied for the value freeze), do I still get the Amendment 79 Tax Credit?

A:
Yes
Q: Will I receive a refund check?

A:
No. Amendment 79 is a CREDIT which is applied to your Real Estate Tax bill.
Q: I only received the tax credit on one of my properties. What about the other properties that I did not receive a tax credit on?

A:
You are only eligible to receive the credit on your primary/homestead property, and only on one property per taxpayer.
Q: I just found out about the Amendment 79 Tax Credit. I do not understand why I cannot receive the credit for all of the years I missed and why it was not automatically applied to all homeowners?

A:
First we need to verify that the property that you are applying to receive the credit on is your primary / homestead residence. Arkansas State Law requires that all homeowners must apply to be declared eligible and to receive the credit, and the homeowner’s signature is required to process the application. All applications must be submitted by October 15th on any given year to receive the credit for that year.

The tax credit is not automatically applied to all homeowners because it is a voluntary tax cedit.
Q: Do I have to reapply every year?

A:
No. Once you have applied for and received the credit, you do not have to reapply each year. The only time that you would need to reapply for the credit would be when you change your primary place of residence (i.e. sell your house and buy a different one).
Q: Where do I put the Amendment 79 Tax Credit on my income taxes?

A:
You do not put the tax credit on your income taxes.
Q: What does “I am buying on a land contract” mean?

A:
A land contract is a Purchase Agreement between the Seller and the Buyer. The Seller carries the note (no bank is involved) and the Buyer makes payments directly to the Seller. The Buyer does not receive the deed from the Seller (which would grant the Buyer ownership of the property) until the Seller has received the final payment, which satisfies the Buyer’s financial obligation to the Seller. In our records, ownership is not transferred until we receive a deed. The Buyer of a land contract arrangement may instead apply for the tax credit if the Purchase Agreement has been filed and recorded in the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Q: How are my taxes calculated in relation to Amendment 79?

A:
Amendment 79 provides a cap on how much an assessment can be increased. A homestead (primary residence) can only be increased by a maximum of 5% per year. All other property assessments can only be increased by a maximum of 10% per year. Exceptions to this would include physical changes to your property (such as a new addition or a new outbuilding).
Q: What is Business Personal Property?

A:
Any asset(s) that are owned by a business, such as vehicles, furniture, machinery and equipment.
Q: Who has to assess?

A:
Any business owner who operates a business and who holds personal property used in the course of operating said business.
Q: What is the assessment lien date?

A:
The assessment lien date is May 31st of each year.
Q: My business opened in March. When do I assess?

A:
By May 31st of the current year.
Q: If I do not assess by May 31st, what happens?

A:
A late penalty of 10% is added to your assessment. This percentage is set by state law.
Q: Do I assess my leased copy machine?

A:
No. The owner of the equipment is responsible to assess it with our office.
Q: When can I assess my business?

A:
You can assess your business anytime between January 2nd and May 31st.
Q: How do I appeal my value?

A:
By making an appointment during the appeal period in the month of August and meeting with the Board of Equalization.
Q: When will I get my tax bill?

A:
In March of the following year.
Q: Why am I receiving this worksheet?

A:
Our office has received information that you own a business in Pulaski County. Our office uses this worksheet to collect the information that will be used to determine your annual tax bill.
Q: Why am I required to pay taxes on my business assets to Pulaski County? How are my tax dollars used?

A:
Arkansas law requires that business owners declare for taxation purposes all of their business assets (including—but not limited to—furniture, fixtures, machinery, computer equipment, inventory, and supplies) each year between January 1 and May 31. The assessment is sent to the Pulaski County Treasurer’s Office, where the tax is calculated and collected to fund schools, roads, and other public services. For a more detailed explanation of what your business’s tax dollars fund, visit http://pulaskicountytreasurer.net/your-tax-dollars/.
Q: I already paid taxes on my business assets when I purchased them. I have to pay taxes twice?

A:
The tax paid at the time of the asset’s purchase was sales tax. Sales tax is a one-time tax collected by the State of Arkansas. Personal property is assessed yearly.
Q: I have a home-based business. Am I required to assess?

A:
Yes. Home-based businesses are not exempt from taxation under Arkansas law.
Q: I work from my home and all of my business assets are items I already owned. Do I have to report these items?

A:
Yes. Arkansas law specifies that once an item purchased for personal use is used primarily for business purposes, it is considered a business asset and is taxable as such.
Q: My business assets are old and are not worth anything. Should I list them on my worksheet?

A:
Yes. Though assets depreciate in value, no asset will ever depreciate to 0 value. Our office assigns each asset a “useful life” which determines the amount of time the asset will take to depreciate to its lowest value. For more information on depreciation schedules, please contact our office.
Q: I already assess my business vehicle on my personal property account. Do I have to assess it under my business account as well?

A:
No. You are only required to assess your vehicle on one account.
Q: What information do I need to provide for each asset?

A:
For each asset, please provide a description of the asset; the year of purchase; and the purchase price.
Q: I need to add a car, truck, bus, boat, trailer, or other vehicle to my business account. What information is required?

A:
A copy of the front and back of the title or the bill of sale (which should include the VIN, date of purchase, and purchase price) will be required to add any vehicle to your business account.
Q: What if my assets were given to me for free? What if my assets are so old that I cannot remember the purchase date and purchase price?

A:
If your business assets were given to you free of charge, you may list the year the item was given to you and the item’s market value, which is the amount of money you would ask for the item if it were to be placed for sale. If you are unable to recall the year of purchase and purchase price for your business assets, provide the information to the closest approximation possible.
Q: I have many quantities of the same asset. Do I have to list each one individually?

A:
No. You may combine like items. For example, if you have a toolbox filled with various tools, you may list these as “Miscellaneous Tools” and provide a lump sum purchase price. For more information on what items may be considered like items, please contact our office.
Q: My business was never operational or has closed. How can I close my account with your office?

A:
If you surrendered your business permit, you may fax or email proof of termination from the agency from which you obtained your permit. We will also accept other written, verifiable proof of business closure. For more information on what qualifies as proof of closure, please contact our office. Please note that it is the business owner’s responsibility to notify our office of business closure. Yearly involuntary assessments may continue if notice of closure is not provided.
Q: What happens if I assess late, or if I choose not to assess at all?

A:
Assessments submitted after May 31 receive a 10% late file penalty. Businesses that do not submit an assessment will be involuntarily assessed by our office and will also receive a 10% penalty.
Q: I’m new to all of this. What can I do if I need help completing my worksheet?

A:
Contact our office! Our friendly staff is happy to assist you in answering any questions you may have. Contact us by phone Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 at 501-340-6170; by email at [email protected]; or in person at 201 S Broadway St, Suite 310 in Little Rock.
Q: How big is Pulaski County?

A:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,092 km² (808 mi²). 1,996 km² (771 mi²) of it is land and 96 km² (37 mi²) of it (4.58%) is water. Source: Wikipedia.
Q: How do I obtain a copy of the map showing my property in Pulaski County?

A:
Map orders can be placed by calling our Customer Resource department at (501) 340-6170. An Assessor Team Member will determine if a hard copy of the particular area is available.
Q: Do we fax or send maps out of Pulaski County or the State of Arkansas?

A:
No, unless arrangements are made in advance to cover the cost of postage, paper, ink, and/or other supplies involved.
Q: Can I get flood plain information from the mapping department?

A:
No, the County Planning office is responsible for all flood plain information. You can reach them by telephone at (501) 340-8260.
Q: Are maps available on the internet?

A:
Yes, you can check out our interactive map of Pulaski County property accounts by clicking on this link: Online Mapping
Q: Can I use these maps as legal surveys?

A:
No, our maps are for property ownership valuation purposes only. They are not intended for conveyances nor do they represent legal surveys. They are for location purposes only. Our maps reflect the level of accuracy of available information at the time.
Q: Does your office have GIS capabilities?

A:
Yes. Our maps are constantly changing and we strive to update them in a timely manner. However, we are always looking to improve our maps! If you spot something that needs corrected, please let us know.
Q: Why are your maps not considered legal copies?

A:
Each property is mapped by a legal description from a deed, legal survey or plat. Only documents recorded through the County Clerk’s office are considered legal documents. National cadastral mapping standards are followed in the drawing of our maps.
Q: How is property assessed?

A:
The Pulaski County Assessor sets the value for the county, according to the valuation tables that are mandated by the Assessment Coordination Department for the State of Arkansas. Taxes are then calculated by taking 20% of market value (assessed value) and multiplying that by the local tax rate.
Q: What if I buy a car in the middle of the year?

A:
If you purchased the car before the deadline for assessing (MAY 31st) then it must be assessed by MAY 31st to avoid the 10% PENALTY FEE for a late assessment. Vehicles purchased in May have 30 days from the date of sale to assess without a penalty.
Q: What if I sell my car in the middle off the year?

A:
Property sold or disposed of prior to MAY 31st will be removed from assessment. We may require proof of disposal, a bill of sale or an insurance report. If you sell or dispose of property after MAY 31st it will remain on your assessment for the rest of the year.
Q: What if I move to another state?

A:
If you move before MAY 31st, please contact our office and we will delete your assessment. We may require proof, like an out of state vehicle registration. If you move after MAY 31st, you still owe property taxes in Pulaski County for that year.
Q: Who is exempt from paying property taxes?

A:
Military personnel are exempt if they can provide proof of non-residency. This can be established by showing a current Leave and Earnings (LES) with a non-resident code. Disabled Veterans (DAV) are also exempt from payment BUT NOT FROM ASSESSMENT. Please contact the Pulaski County Treasurer at (501) 340-6040 to see if you qualify for an exemption.
Q: Where can I assess?

A:
You may also assess by phone (501) 340-6181 or online.. During the Covid crisis, there is no "in person" assessing.
Q: What is real estate?

A:
Land, buildings, and things permanently attached to land and buildings.
Q: How does your office maintain ownership records?

A:
Instruments filed in the Pulaski Circuit Clerk's Office are transferred daily to our office. We have a team of professionals that analyze these instruments to determine the most appropriate ownership of the real estate in order to facilitate tax billing. Our office has no authority to legally decree ownership to a property.
Q: If I own more than one piece of property, can I have them combined into one?

A:
It depends. Properties that are in the same legal subdivision or the same section, township, and range can be combined. Platted property cannot be combined with unplatted property, and properties in separate subdivisions cannot be combined. Our office reserves the right to determine whether or not property can or will be combined.
Q: What is Appraisal?

A:
An appraisal is an opinion of market value as of a specific date.
Q: How are appraised values established?

A:
Your property value is based on these two key factors:
  1. Your property’s current use (such as home, business, unimproved land, etc...).
  2. Your property’s characteristics: Location, Improvement Size (Total Living Area), Age (Effective Age of Property), Quality of Construction and Amenities (such as bathroom count, garage, carport, view, etc…).
    3. Q: How do appraisers determine the market value of my property?

    A:
    Our team of Level 4 State Certified Appraisers will inspect all properties to ensure that our records reflect actual property characteristics. They will then review and verify market sales and study cost and income data.

    They will then complete a market analysis using our Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) software system by comparing properties of similar size, age, location and description. Finally, they will establish reappraisal values that reflect current market conditions as of the lien date for real property (January 1) of the appropriate reappraisal year.
    Q: How does the general maintenance and condition of my property influence its value?

    A:
    The market value of your property is generally not affected by the maintenance of your property. Repairs (such as a new roof, fresh paint or landscaping neither add nor detract from the property value. While these types of repairs can be costly, they are considered to be normal maintenance expenses that all properties incur over time. A continued lack of maintenance, however, can affect property values.
    Q: How will structural damage to my property influence its value?

    A:
    When fire or structural damage causes a property to become structurally unsound, the appraised value may be affected. A field inspection of the property is required to determine the extent of the value impact.