Which of the following is a key element in determining personal property tax?

The key element in determining personal property tax is the value of the property. This is because personal property taxes are typically calculated as a percentage of the assessed value of the property. Tax assessors evaluate the market value of personal property to establish a fair assessment. The value determined can be influenced by various factors, including depreciation, condition, and market trends, but ultimately, the assessed value is the primary basis for tax calculations.

Other factors, such as the duration of property ownership, location of property use, and type of business activity, may play a role in various tax considerations or assessments, but they do not directly affect the calculation of personal property tax in the same way that property value does. Personal property tax is fundamentally rooted in the value assigned to that property, making it the most critical component in this context.