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Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Declaration

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Dealer’s Motor Vehicle Inventory Declaration Form 50-244

CONFIDENTIAL

Property Tax Form 50-244

STEP 1: Provide Name and Mailing Address of Property Owner and Identity of Person Preparing Application

STEP 2: Required Information about the Business

STEP 3: Information about the Business

STEP 4: Ownership Statement

STEP 5: Breakdown of Sales and Sales Amounts

Breakdown of sales (number of units sold) for the previous 12-month period corresponding to the prior tax year.

Breakdown of sales amounts for the previous 12-month period corresponding to the prior tax year.

STEP 6: Market Value of your Motor Vehicle Inventory

÷ 12 =

STEP 7: Read, Sign, and Date

If you make a false statement on this report, you could be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor or a state jail felony under Texas Section 37.10, Penal Code.

The Property Tax Assistance Division at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts provides property tax information and resources for taxpayers, local taxing entities, appraisal districts and appraisal review boards.

For more information, visit our Web site: www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax

Instructions

Filing deadlines. You must file this declaration not later than February 1 each year. If you were not in business for the entire year, you must file this declaration not later than 30 days after starting your business. You are presumed to have started your business on the date you were issued a dealer’s general distinguishing number. The chief appraiser, however, has discretion to designate a different starting date. Be sure to keep a completed copy of this declaration for your files and a blank copy of the form for next year’s filing.

Filing Places. You must file the original completed declaration with the county appraisal district’s chief appraiser. You must file a copy of the original with the county tax assessor-collector. The addresses and phone numbers for both offices are at the top of the form.

Filing penalties. Failure to file this form is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Each day that you fail to comply is a separate offense. In addition, a tax lien attaches to your business personal property to secure the penalty’s payment. The district attorney, criminal district attorney, county attorney, chief appraiser, or person designated by the chief appraiser shall collect the penalty, with action in the county in which you maintain your principal place of business or residence. You also will forfeit a penalty of $1,000 for each month or part of a month in which this declaration is not filed after it is due.

GDN Termination. If you report fewer than five sales of motor vehicles, the chief appraiser must report this fact to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT has authority to view this form in auditing dealer license compliance. TxDOT must initiate termination proceedings.

Review of records. The chief appraiser may examine your books and records for (1) the document issued by Texas Department of Transportation for your general distinguishing number; (2) documents to determine if this declaration applies to you; and (3) sales records to check information on this declaration. To examine your records, the chief appraiser must deliver personally a written request to your records custodian. You have at least 15 days to respond to the request, or you may seek court action for relief from complying with the request. Failure to comply with the request is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Each day that you fail to comply is a separate violation.

Step 1. Propery Owner’s name and address. Give the corporate, sole proprietorship or partnership’s name, including mailing address and telephone number of the actual business location require by the inventory declaration (not the owner).

Step 2. Required information about the business. Give the name of the business if different from the corporation or individual’s name. The address here is the actual physical location of the business.

Step 3. Information about the business. Include your business’ account number from the appraisal district’s notice of appraised value. Give the date your business opened if not in business January 1 of this year.

Step 4. Ownership statement. Give the owner’s name.

Step 5. Breakdown of sales and sales amounts. Complete the boxes on number of sales and sales amounts for the preceding year. The top row of boxes is the number of units sold in each category. The bottom row of boxes is the dollar amount sold in each category. The categories include:

• Motor vehicle inventory – sales of motor vehicles. A motor vehicle is a fully self-propelled vehicle with at least two wheels which has the primary purpose of transporting people or property and includes a towable recreational vehicle. Motor vehicle does not include equipment or machinery designed and intended for a specific work-related purpose other than transporting people or property.

• Fleet sales – motor vehicles included in the sale of five or more motor vehicles from your inventory to the same buyer within one calendar year.

• Dealer sales – sales of vehicles to another Texas dealer or a dealer who is legally recognized in another state as a motor vehicle dealer.

• Subsequent sales – dealer-financed sales of motor vehicles that, at the time of sale, have dealer financing from your motor vehicle inventory in this same calendar year. The first sale of a dealer-financed vehicle is reported as a motor vehicle inventory sale, with sale of this same vehicle later in the year classified as a subsequent sale.

• Net motor vehicle inventory – Motor vehicle inventory less fleet sales, dealer sales and subsequent sales.

Step 6. Market value of your motor vehicle inventory. Enter the dollar sales amount in the net motor vehicle inventory breakdown (see Step 5, the first box in the second row) and divide by 12 to yield your market value for this tax year. If you were not in business for the entire preceding year, the chief appraiser will determine your inventory’s market value using the sales information that you do report in Step 5.

Step 7. Read, sign, and date. Sign and enter the date if you are the person completing this declaration.

For more information, visit our Web site: www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax

Enter text✕

What the Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Declaration Is

The Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Declaration is a formal record dealers use to report vehicles held for sale or lease to a regulatory authority or tax agency. It summarizes inventory by VIN, make, model, year, acquisition date, and title status, and may be required for dealer licensing, taxation, dealer plate eligibility, or audit purposes. States and localities set different formats and submission rules; the form can be paper, PDF, or transmitted electronically when allowed by state law and agency policy.

Why a Dealer's Inventory Declaration Matters

A clear, accurate declaration protects dealer licensure, ensures correct taxation, and supports title and lien tracking for compliance and audits.

Why a Dealer's Inventory Declaration Matters

Who Prepares and Relies on This Declaration

Accurate preparation reduces audit risk, speeds regulatory processing, and supports downstream title and lien work.

  • Independent vehicle dealers and franchise dealers responsible for licensing and tax reporting.
  • Fleet managers who maintain multiple vehicles under a dealer or commercial registration.
  • State DMV examiners and tax auditors who verify reported inventory and tax obligations.

Core Elements of a Professional Inventory Declaration

A well‑prepared declaration is complete, consistent, and uses standardized identifiers so agencies can reconcile records with titles and tax filings.

VIN

Vehicle Identification Number for each unit; validates identity against title and title history reports for auditability and theft prevention.

Make/Model/Year

Basic vehicle descriptors required for classification, tax calculations, and statistical reporting to state agencies and internal inventory systems.

Acquisition Date

Date dealer acquired the vehicle; used to determine inventory age, sales tax liability timing, and eligible reporting period.

Title Status

Indicates clean, salvage, branded, liened, or in-transit titles, which affects resale eligibility and disclosure obligations to buyers.

Odometer Reading

Current odometer at acquisition or reporting date; necessary for federal and state odometer disclosure requirements and consumer protection.

Dealer Stock Location

Physical lot or storage address for each vehicle to assist inspections, audits, and inventory control across multiple sites.

Required Data Fields to Include

VIN: 17-character identifier
Make/Model: Manufacturer and model
Model Year: 4-digit year
Acquisition Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Title Status: Clean | Salvage | Branded
Location: Street, city, state

Step-by-Step: Complete and Submit the Declaration

Follow these practical steps to prepare an accurate declaration and meet submission requirements.

  • 01
    Gather records: Compile VINs, purchase docs, titles, and lien info.
  • 02
    Populate form: Enter required fields using exact formats.
  • 03
    Verify data: Cross-check VINs, dates, and title status.
  • 04
    Submit: File with the designated state agency by the required method.

Customize an Online Submission Workflow

Set up your digital workflow to capture required fields, enforce validation, and route signed declarations to the right recipients.

Field Configuration
VIN Field Make required, 17-character validation
Date Fields MM/DD/YYYY format enforcement
Signer Authentication Email + SMS code or stronger
Routing Auto-send to DMV and internal compliance

eSubmission and Platform Considerations

Confirm the receiving agency accepts electronic submissions and retain copies as required by state and federal retention rules.

  • File types: PDF, DOCX accepted by many agencies
  • Authentication: Email and SMS or stronger methods
  • Audit logs: IP, timestamp, signer actions

Where to File and How the Routing Works

Identify the correct destination based on your jurisdiction and dealer license; routes differ between DMVs, state revenue offices, and local tax authorities.

  • State DMV: Primary recipient for title and dealer licensing
  • State Tax Agency: Receives inventory declarations for tax assessment
  • Local Tax Office: May require parallel filing in some counties
  • Internal Compliance: Keep a signed copy in dealer records

Typical Timelines and Filing Windows

Deadlines vary by state and the specific program; confirm schedules with the receiving agency and plan submission ahead of renewals and audits.

Initial filing:

Due at dealer license issuance in some states

Periodic reporting:

Frequency varies — monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on jurisdiction

Change reporting:

Report location or ownership changes within state-specified days

License renewal:

Align declaration timing with dealer license renewal dates

Audit response:

Respond within agency-stipulated timeframe, often 7–30 days

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using incomplete or incorrect VINs which prevents matching to title records and triggers agency follow-up.
  • Mismatched dealer legal names between declaration and licensing records causing rejections or administrative delays.
  • Failing to list lien or salvage status accurately, exposing dealer to civil liability and disclosure violations.
  • Not retaining signed copies and audit trails, which complicates responses to inspections and tax audits.

Penalties and Risks of Incorrect Declarations

License action: Suspension or revocation possible
Monetary fines: Civil penalties assessed by agency
Tax adjustments: Additional tax assessments possible
Consumer claims: Buyer lawsuits for nondisclosure
Operational delays: Dealer plate or title issuance delays
Audit exposure: Increased frequency of inspections

How This Declaration Differs From Similar Forms

Compare the inventory declaration with related documents to determine which form is appropriate for licensing, sales, or tax reporting.

Document Type Declaration Bill of Sale
Primary Purpose inventory reporting transfer of ownership
Required Fields detailed vin list single vehicle details
Notary Needed sometimes often required
Uses licensing, taxes title transfer, buyer proof

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Small process improvements reduce errors and administrative burden when preparing recurring inventory declarations.

Standardize data entry
Use controlled lists for makes, models, and stock locations, and validate VINs automatically against a VIN-check service to reduce transcription errors and rework.
Automate validation
Implement field-level checks for VIN length, date formats, and required fields so incomplete submissions are flagged before filing with the agency.
Maintain authorization records
Keep a current list of individuals authorized to sign declarations and store authorization documents to support signatory validity during audits.
Retain audit trails
Preserve signed PDF copies, signer authentication logs, and submission receipts for the retention period required by law and internal policy.

Key Processing Milestones for a Declaration

Track these stages to ensure timely completion and to maintain an audit-ready record trail for each reporting cycle.

01

Prepare inventory

Compile VINs, titles, and acquisition records before start of reporting period.

02

Internal review

Compliance officer verifies entries and cross-checks against titles.

03

Submit to agency

File via accepted channel and obtain confirmation of receipt.

04

Archive records

Store signed copy and audit trail per retention policy.

Real-World Examples from Dealers and Partners

These short examples show how dealers and partners used digital workflows to manage inventory declarations and related documentation.

Optica Ventures LLC

Optica centralized vehicle intake and verification using standardized templates and automated VIN checks to reduce errors.

  • Improved submission turnaround by removing paper steps.
  • As COO Brian Fitzgibbons noted, the interface made it easy for the team and customers, enabling consistent, auditable records for licensing and audit responses without in-person processing delays.

Martin Properties

A multi-lot dealer implemented mobile intake and e-signatures to capture acquisition details at point of receipt.

  • Reduced data lag between purchase and reporting.
  • Founder Tim Martin reported full online processing with compliant security and the flexibility to sign and store forms across devices, improving readiness for dealer inspections and tax reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about preparing, signing, and submitting the Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Declaration.


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eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot for Declarations

Comparison of starting prices and key capabilities for common eSignature vendors. signNow appears first as the initial column.

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Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
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