Ad Valorem Assessments

The Tax Division of the Arkansas Public Service Commission determines Ad Valorem Assessments for property tax purposes on public utilities and carriers, including telecommunications providers, electric, gas and water utilities, pipeline companies, railroads, airlines, barge lines, cable television providers, motor carriers, and bus lines. 

The Tax Division’s jurisdiction, duties and responsibilities are set forth in Ark. Code Ann. §§26-24-101-123 and §§26-26-1601 through §§26-26-1803.  The Division values utilities and carriers using the unitary appraisal method, where the firm is valued as a complete operating system, with the value of Arkansas assets allocated by ratio. 

Depending on the type of company assessed, assessments are either certified to: 

1. the county assessors for extension and collection of taxes at the local level or  
2. the Department of Finance and Administration for billing and collection. 

The Tax Division of the Arkansas Public Service Commission does not bill or collect any property taxes.

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