The Utah County Commission voted Oct. 29 to grant an evaluation appeal filed by the ACE group of companies to remove personal-property assessments tied to cryptocurrency-mining equipment the taxpayer says was disposed of in 2018.

Dan Heaton, general counsel for the ACE group, told commissioners auditors found roughly $271,000 in assets on a company depreciation schedule that the company contends were fully depreciated and disposed of in 2018. "Those assets simply do not exist," Heaton said, arguing the assessments were an artifact of a prior-year audit and that the county should allow the removal.

Utah County Assessor Bert Garfel and personal-property supervisor Paulette Stetzer told the commission the audit findings came from the Utah State Tax Commission’s 2024 audit report and that taxpayers are responsible for updating asset locations on filings. Stetzer said it is not standard practice for auditors to move assets between taxpayer accounts without supporting documentation filed by the taxpayer.

Commission discussion focused on evidence standards and procedures for proving disposal years after the fact. Heaton noted the items were fully depreciated and that the tax impact at issue was modest: "So $2,700 in tax, $271,000 in value was removed," he said. The assessor’s office said it relies on audit findings and supporting documentation, and that the state audit is a routine step when questions arise about a property’s personal property listing.

Commissioner Gardner moved to approve the appeal; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Commissioners noted either party may appeal the body’s decision to the Utah State Tax Commission.

No additional county funds or penalties were ordered at the meeting; the commission’s action removed the assessed personal-property amounts identified in the appeal record.