UPDATED PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE

  

New and updated property tax information has just been compiled by the Washington County Appraisal district and is available to assist taxpayers.

This property tax information is current and covers a wide range of topics, such as taxpayer remedies, exemptions and appraisals and has information for select groups, such as disabled veterans and people age 65 and over.

“Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, disabled veteran, or taxpayer, it’s important you know your rights concerning property tax laws” says Willy Dilworth, Chief Appraiser of the Washington County Appraisal District. “You can contact us about any property tax issues with full confidence that we will provide you the most complete, accurate and up-to-date available information to assist you.”

This includes information about the following programs:

Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans – The law provides partial exemptions
for any property owned by veterans who are disabled, surviving spouses and surviving
children of deceased disabled veterans. This includes homesteads donated to disabled
veterans by charitable organizations at no cost to the disabled veterans and their
surviving spouses. The exemption amount is determined according to percentage of
service-connected disability. The law also provides a 100 percent exemption for 100
percent disabled veterans and their surviving spouses and for surviving spouses of U.S.
armed service members killed in action.

Property Tax Exemptions – Non-profit organizations that meet statutory requirements
may seek property tax exemptions and must apply to their county appraisal district by a
specific date. Businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units, ship
inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption; store certain
goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days; construct, install or
acquire pollution control property; own and operate energy storage systems; convert
landfill-generated gas; or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use may also be
eligible for statutory exemptions.

Rendering Taxable Property – If a business owns tangible personal property that is used
to produce income, the business must file a rendition with its local appraisal district by a
specified date. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business.
Owners do not have to render exempt property such as church property or an
agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.

Appraisal Notices – Normally, taxpayers receive a notice of appraised value from the
appraisal district. The city, county, school districts and other local taxing units will use
the appraisal district’s value to set property taxes for the coming year.

Property Taxpayer Remedies – This Comptroller publication explains in detail how to
protest a property appraisal, what issues the appraisal review board (ARB) can consider
and what to expect during a protest hearing. The publication also discusses the option
of taking a taxpayer’s case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings
or binding arbitration if the taxpayer is dissatisfied with the outcome of the ARB hearing.

Homestead Exemptions – A homestead is generally defined as the home and land used
as the owner’s principal residence on January 1 of the tax year. A homestead exemption
reduces the appraised value of the home and, as a result, lowers property taxes.
Applications are submitted to the local appraisal district.

Productivity Appraisal – Property owners who use land for agricultural purposes or
wildlife management can be granted property tax relief on their land. They may apply
to the appraisal district for an agricultural appraisal which may result in a lower
appraisal of the land based on how much the taxpayer produces, versus what the land
would sell for on the open market.

Residence Homestead Tax Deferral – Texas homeowners may postpone paying the
currently delinquent property taxes due on the appreciating value of their homes by
filing a tax deferral affidavit at their local appraisal district. This tax relief allows
homeowners to pay the property taxes on 105 percent of the preceding year’s
appraised value of their homestead, plus the taxes on any new improvements to the
homestead. The remaining taxes are postponed, but not cancelled, with interest
accruing at 8 percent per year.

Property Tax Deferral for Persons Age 65 or Older or Disabled Homeowners – Texans
who are age 65 or older or disabled, as defined by law, may postpone paying current
and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit. Once
the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred, but not cancelled, as long as the owner
continues to own and live in the home. Interest continues to accrue on unpaid taxes.
You may obtain a deferral affidavit at the appraisal district.

Notice of Availability of Electronic Communication – In appraisal districts located in
counties with more than 200,000 population or that have authorized electronic
communications, and that have implemented a system that allows such
communications, chief appraisers and ARBs may communicate electronically through
email or other media with property owners or their designated representatives. Written
agreements are required for notices and other documents to be delivered electronically
in place of mailing.

Protesting Property Appraisal Values – Property owners who disagree with the
appraisal district’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that
adversely affects them may protest their property value to the Appraisal Review Board.

For more information about these programs, contact Washington County Appraisal District at 1301 Niebur Street in Brenham or call 979-277-3740. Information is also available on the Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division's website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax.

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