§ 68-2859. Railroads, air carriers and public service corporations - Returns not conclusive as to value or amount of property - Duties, power and authority of State Board of Equalization.  


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  • A.  The returns of railroads, air carriers and public service corporations shall not be conclusive as to the value or amount of any property.  The State Board of Equalization shall have the authority and it shall be its duty to raise or lower the returned value:

    1.  Of any personal property, to conform to the fair cash value thereof, estimated at the price it would bring at a fair voluntary sale; or

    2.  Of any real property at not to exceed its fair cash value for the highest and best use for which such property is actually used or classified for use.

    B.  It shall be the duty of the State Board of Equalization, with the assistance of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, to do all things necessary to enable it to assess and value all taxable property of railroads, air carriers and public service corporations, discover omitted property, and determine the taxable status of any property which is claimed to be exempt from ad valorem taxation for any reason.

    C.  In the performance of its duties, as prescribed by this section, the State Board of Equalization, or any duly authorized representative thereof, shall have the power to administer oaths, to conduct hearings, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of the books, records and papers of any person, firm, association, or corporation; and to enter any business or commercial premises and inspect the property of the taxpayer.

    D.  Prior to entering the business or commercial premises of any taxpayer for purposes of discovering personal property, the State Board of Equalization shall request permission to enter the business or commercial premises and shall state the reason for the inspection. If access to the business or commercial premises is denied, the State Board of Equalization shall be required to obtain a search warrant in order to conduct an inspection of the interior of the business or commercial premises.  A search warrant may be obtained upon a showing of probable cause that personal property located within particularly described business or commercial premises is subject to ad valorem taxation, but not listed or assessed for ad valorem taxation as required by law.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 162, § 59, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.  Amended by Laws 1989, c. 152, § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Laws 1995, c. 57, § 12, eff. July 1, 1995.