Vessel Property Assessments
In California, vessels are subject to property tax. We assess them each year at full market value as of January 1 (lien date).
If you own a vessel, you may need to file a signed Vessel Property Statement (Form BOE-576-D) with our office.
Who Must File
- You must file if we request it.
- If your vessel costs $100,000 or more, you must file every year, even if a request was not sent.
Filing Deadlines
- Vessel Property Statements are due by April 10.
- If you file after May 7 or don’t file at all, we will:
- Estimate the value of your vessel.
- Add a 10% penalty to your assessment, as required by state law.
How Vessels Are Assessed
In California, most personal property is taxable unless the law specifically exempts it. Vessels and other watercraft are assessed each year based on their full market value.
If you own the vessel on January 1 (lien date), you are responsible for the full property tax for the upcoming tax year. We do not prorate vessel property assessments between owners.
Ownership and Location Discovery
We use information from:
- The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- The United States Coast Guard
- Marina reports
Vessels are assessed where they are usually stored when not in use.
How We Determine Value
We use several methods to determine full market value, including:
- Purchase price
- Used boat valuation guides
- Recent sales of comparable vessels in the open market
Frequently Asked Questions
The person who owns the vessel on January 1 (lien date) is responsible for the full property tax for the upcoming tax year - even if the vessel is sold shortly after.
Examples:
- If you sold the vessel on January 2, you still owe the full tax.
- If you bought the vessel on December 30, you are responsible for the tax because you owned it on January 1.
If the tax bill is in your name but you didn’t own the vessel on January 1, contact our Marine Division at 415-473-7208 (CA Relay 711).
We do not prorate vessel property assessments.
If your vessel’s registration does not list a regular docking location, we assess it based on your mailing address.
If your vessel is permanently docked in another county, send us a copy of the property tax payment from that county so we can review it.
Yes. All vessels are subject to property tax - whether they are:
- Registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or
- Documented with the United States Coast Guard
The DMV and US Coast Guard handle registration fees. We assess the vessel each year for property tax.
Some vessels may qualify for a reduced assessment:
- Homeowners’ exemption information is available at 415-473-3794 (CA Relay 711).
- Commercial fishing and research studies vessels may qualify for a special assessment. You must file appropriate forms before the deadline to receive a reduced assessment. Call 415-473-7208 (CA Relay 711) for more information.
If the vessel was owned on January 1, the full tax is still owed for that year. Responsibility falls to:
- The owner’s estate
- A co-owner, if applicable
Related
- View and Pay Property Tax Bill View and pay unsecured property tax bill with the Tax Collector's Office
- Formal Assessment Appeal If you disagree with the Assessor's assessment, you may file a formal appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board.
- AH 576 - Assessment of Vessels (PDF) Assessors' handbook published by the California State Board of Equalization. It provides guidelines on vessel appraisal and assessment.
- Property types and assessment Information on various types of property and assessments.