50 IAC 4.2-2-4 Liability

Sec. 4. (a) The owner of any personal property on the assessment date of a year is liable for the taxes imposed for that year on the property. The owner of any personal property is generally the holder of legal title except when: (1) title passes on January 1 of any year, only the person last obtaining title on said date shall be deemed to have title on January 1; and (2) personal property is security for a debt and the debtor is in possession of such property, such debtor shall be deemed to be the owner. (b) A person holding, possessing, or controlling any personal property on the assessment date of a year is liable for the taxes imposed for that year on the property unless the person establishes that the property is being assessed and taxed in the name of owner, or the owner is liable for the taxes under a contract with that person and that person files a correct Form 103-N (section 9 of this rule) supplemental information return on or before the due date (unless an extension is granted). When a person other than the owner pays any property taxes as required by this section, that person may recover the amount paid from the owner unless the parties have agreed to other terms in a contract. (c) The assessor shall assess the taxable property in the name of the owner of the property to the extent the owner has been identified. A person holding, possessing, controlling, or occupying any personal property on the assessment date of the year is liable for the taxes imposed for that year on the property unless they establish that the property is being assessed and taxed in the name of the owner or the owner is liable for the taxes under contract with that person and that person files a correct Form 103-N (section 9 of this rule) supplemental information return on or before the due date (unless an extension is granted).