Staying informed about property taxes in Texas is essential if you want to hold onto more of your hard-earned money every year. However, the concept of property taxes and financial maneuvering can be overwhelming for many people, particularly new residents or homeowners in the Lone Star State.
The good news is that there are property tax services in Texas dedicated to helping homeowners limit property tax payments to their fair share. Whether you need help understanding your property tax assessment or are seeking assistance in protesting your property valuation, teams of tax professionals like the one at Bezit are here to support you.
The Importance of Staying Informed about Texas Property Taxes
While most people think of their home’s value as relatively constant, aside from natural market fluctuations, the specific valuation of your property has a big impact on your annual tax payments.
In Texas, the value of your property is assessed at least once every three years, and that valuation will determine the amount of property taxes you are required to pay, calculated along with the property tax rate of your particular tax district. Each year, you will be sent a tax bill no later than October 1st, or as soon as reasonably possible after that date.
Furthermore, you are required to pay that tax bill no later than January 31st of the following year.
If you fail to make the payment by this time, you may be subject to delinquent property taxes, which consist of specific tax penalties, interest on unpaid amounts, and various fees. This begins with a 6% penalty for the first month or part of the month, with an increase of 1% per additional month of delinquency. While the increase in percentage stops at 12%, this can still represent a significant portion of your total tax bill with just a few months of non-payment.
Additionally, extended nonpayment may require the hiring of an attorney, which is an additional cost, not to mention the 1% interest due per month on your delinquent property taxes.
To avoid this potential financial catastrophe of not paying your property taxes on time, consulting with property tax specialists is a wise choice. This is particularly true if you want to protest your property tax assessment in a quick and efficient manner in order to avoid any penalties or fees.
How Property Tax Services Can Help Texas Homeowners?
If you feel confident in your ability to navigate the paperwork and procedures for a successful property tax protest, it is certainly something that some people can handle on their own. However, the majority of people feel more comfortable hearing about their options from professionals and getting direct support from those who work in the world of property tax.
As mentioned above, any homeowner has the right to protest the valuation of their property by the tax district’s appointed assessor, but such a protest must be filed before May 15 or within 30 days of receiving the appraisal notice, whichever date is later. To begin this process, you must retrieve the appropriate protest form from your tax district and file it properly, at which point a hearing date with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will be set.
At this point, you will gather evidence for your case, including relevant market trends, changes to the property, or unexplained shifts in valuation. Collecting the best data and evidence for a successful property tax protest is an invaluable service offered by tax professionals like those at Bezit.
These days, it seems that everyone has busy lives and packed schedules, so the idea of diving into confusing paperwork and documentation can feel overwhelming or downright impossible. With the help of property tax service professionals, you can outsource the more complicated steps of a property tax protest to ensure the best possible result.
A reliable property tax service in our age of cutting-edge technology should be able to simplify the paperwork process and help homeowners save money for a flat and affordable fee, using a data-driven and user-friendly model. Bezit does all this and more.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Property Taxes in Texas
Given the importance and impact of Texas property taxes, people naturally have a lot of questions. Here are some of the most common points of confusion when it comes to property taxes in Texas.
- How much are property taxes in Texas?
Property tax rates in Texas vary between the more than 1,500 tax districts in the state of Texas, including school districts, counties, cities, and special districts. On average, the property tax rate in Texas is 1.6%, but you should check with your specific tax district for the precise rate. This rate is then multiplied by your assessed property value, resulting in your owed property taxes. - Do I have to pay property taxes in Texas?
All homeowners in Texas are required to pay property taxes, as there is no individual income tax in the state. Therefore, property taxes are heavily relied on by local governments and municipalities for essential services like schools, fire departments, infrastructural projects, and road maintenance. - Can I reduce my property taxes in any way?
Homeowners have the right to protest their property valuation if they believe that the number is incorrect. You can file a formal protest with your tax district and attend an ARB hearing to argue your case. If you are successful, your property taxes will be adjusted according to the new valuation of your property. - Are there any exemptions for property taxes in Texas?
Texas offers a number of exemptions for homeowners in the state, including a homestead exemption, an over-65 exemption, and other exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans, and their spouses and families. While the specifics of these exemptions may vary between tax districts, these tax relief programs can save you thousands of dollars on your tax bills each year. - How are property taxes calculated?
The assessed value of your home is multiplied by the tax rate in the tax district where your property is located; the resultant value is the total amount of property tax you owe. - Who determines my property taxes?
Each tax district appoints a tax assessor to determine the values of the properties in their jurisdiction. - What happens if I don’t pay my property taxes?
Failure to pay your property taxes will result in penalties, fees, and interest charges that can quickly add up and represent a serious financial burden. - How often is my property reappraised?
In Texas, properties are required to be reappraised at least once every three years. - How do I file a property tax protest?
You can file a property tax protest by filling out the appropriate protest form for your particular tax district, submitting it before the deadline, and then attending an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing to argue your case. - Is it worth it to file a property tax protest?
If you believe that your property has been evaluated incorrectly, filing a property tax protest can save you a significant amount of money, not only for the current years, but retroactively as well. Seeking out the services of property tax professionals can expedite and simplify this process, with companies like Bezit offering a full suite of services for a flat and affordable fee.
A Final Word
The importance of staying informed about property taxes in Texas should now be clear. For savvy savers, new homeowners, and disadvantaged residents alike, knowing about the property tax laws and available exemptions in Texas can be a huge benefit. If you want help on your journey towards greater financial stability and accurate property tax payments, turning to professional property tax services is an obvious choice.
Bezit has already helped Texas homeowners across the state save tens of thousands of dollars on their property taxes in recent years; get in touch for a consultation and take the first step towards property tax literacy!