R.C. 5741.02 provides, in pertinent part:
“(A) Fоr the use of the general revenue fund of the state, an excise tax is
The fundamental question presented is whether thе subject tanks constitute “tangible personal property” for purposes of taxation. Whilе R.C. Chapters 5739 and 5741 do not specifically define real property or tangible personal property for purposes of taxation, R.C. Chapter 5701 does contain definitions apрlicable to the cause sub judice.
R.C. 5701.02 provides, in pertinent part:
“As used in Title LVII of the Revised Code, ‘real property’ and ‘land’ include land itself*** and unless otherwise sрecified, all buildings, structures, improvements, and fixtures of whatever kind on the land, and all rights and privileges bеlonging or appertaining thereto.” (Emphasis added.)
R.C. 5701.03 provides, in pertinent part:
“As used in Title LVII of the Revised Code, ‘personal property’ includes every tangible thing which is the subject of ownership *** and not forming part of a parcel of real property, as defined in section 5701.02 of the Revised Code. ” (Emphasis added.)
Thus, our inquiry narrows to a determination of the reasonableness and lawfulness of the board’s decision concluding that the tanks cоnstitute “structures *** on the land.”
The commissioner asserts the board erred in concluding that the comрleted tanks constitute “structures” on and becoming a part of real property and suggests wе reevaluate the decision of the board in light of our previous decisions in Zangerle v. Standard Oil Co. (1945),
After an examination and review of the record in this cause, this сourt agrees with appellee that Bobb Bros., supra, governs the issue raised. Therein, we reviewed a decision of the board concluding that concrete and metal grain storage silos should be classified as real property for purposes of taxation. We stated, at pages 81-82:
“The рroperty in question is personalty, as defined by this court in Zangerle v. Standard Oil Co. (1945),
“ ‘Even if a structure or building located on land is personal property, such structure or building will, for purposes of taxation, be included within the definition of ‘real property’ as that term is defined in R.C. 5701.02, unless the General Assembly has otherwise specified.’ ”
“Personal property used in business, shall be listed *** as follows:
“All engines, machinery, tools, and implemеnts of a manufacturer mentioned in section 5711.16 of the Revised Code ***.”
R.C. 5711.16 provides, in pertinent part:
“A person who purchasеs, receives, or holds personal property for the purpose of adding to its value by mаnufacturing, refining, rectifying, or combining different materials with a view of making a gain or profit by so doing is a mаnufacturer.***
“*** A manufacturer shall also list all engines and machinery, and tools and implements, of every kind used, or designed to be used *** by such manufacturer.”
After examining the aforementioned sectiоns of the Revised Code, the board concluded:
“In substance and effect, the subject tanks arе used as a storage ‘structure,’ and are not ‘engines, machinery, tools, and implements of a manufacturer,’ in terms of R.C. 5711.22(E) and related statutory provisions. The tanks are essentially storage facilities, or used in connection with the storage of various liquids, and are not machines or implements used in manufacturing so as to be ‘otherwise specified’ *** [within the context of] R.C. 5701.02.”
This conclusion is fully supрorted by the record and, further, is entirely consistent with Bobb Bros., wherein it was stated at pages 83-84:
“ ‘Secondly, it is difficult to consider the structures as ‘machines’ since, basically, there is a storing function with no moving parts. Certainly, they bear little resemblance to the machines as considered in prior adjudications.***’
“*** The grain silos and the elevator and other items involved herein, are essentially storage facilities, or used in connection with the storage of grain, and are not machines or implements used in manufacturing so as to be ‘otherwise specified’ by the cited statutes [R.C. 5711.22(E) and 5711.16].” See, also, Ohio Farmers Grain Corp. v. Bd. of Revision (1976),
We have consistently held that “it is not the function of this court to substitute its judgment on factual issues for that of the Board of Tax Appeаls. We are limited to a determination from the record whether the decision reached by thе board is unreasonable or unlawful.” Citizens Financial Corp.
For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the decision of the Board of Tax Appeals is reasonable and lawful and, accordingly, it is hereby аffirmed.
Decision affirmed.
Notes
The commissioner urges this court to set forth a “bright line” test applicable to “structures,” as that term is employed in R.C. 5701.02. We reject this invitation on the basis that such a definition shоuld emanate from the General Assembly.
R.C. 5711.22(E) was repealed after the subject assessment by Am. Sub. H.B. No. 920, effective October 11, 1976 (136 Ohio Laws 3182, 3244).