Los Angeles County bills Jeff Bezos and other jet owners $244,000 in overdue taxes

Los Angeles County’s assessor, Jeff Prang, has sent a tax demand of about $244,000 to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for his luxury jet, citing California law that requires a 1% annual property tax on aircraft based on where they are habitually located. The notice, due by June 30, is part of a broader initiative that has mailed hundreds of bills to owners who failed to pay on time, aiming to raise roughly $38 million for the county.

The assessor’s office used FAA-mandated ADS-B Out data to pinpoint jets frequently parked in the jurisdiction, a practice that has sparked political debate over privacy. High-profile owners such as Rihanna, Rams owner Stan Kroenke, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, former baseball star Alex Rodriguez, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Judge Judy have also received sizable tax bills. Some owners, like Judy Sheindlin, said they paid promptly with penalties, while others have not responded to inquiries. The county anticipates a wave of appeals from out-of-state owners as the enforcement campaign continues.