A Guide to Understanding Ad Valorem Property Taxes April 28, 2017
Ad Valorem: (Latin) from the value
Who Can Assess Taxes? Cities Counties School Districts Must Be in the Charter
What Do Property Taxes Pay For?
Two Types of Property are Taxed Real Property Personal Property
Many Agencies are Involved HCAD www.hcad.org Taxing Units www.houstontx.gov Tax Offices www.hctax.net Law Firm www.lgbs.com
HCAD
Taxing Units Set Rates
Tax Offices Generate Bills, Collect $$
Payment Options Cash Cashier’s Check Money Order Credit Card In Person, Over the Internet or Via Mail
Tax Calendar January 1 – Value & Exemptions – Lien Attaches April 15 – Rendition Deadline May 1 – Exemption Apps Due May 31 – Last Day to Protest May – June – ARB Hearings October – Tax Bills Mailed January 31 – Taxes Are Due April 2 – 4 – BPP is turned over to lawfirm (actual date varies by year) July 1 – Real Estate Turned over to Law Firm
What Does the Law Firm Do? Make Phone Calls Mail Collection Letters File Lawsuits Sell Property at Sheriff’s Sale Property Inspections Tax Warrants & Seizures
Phone Banks
Mass Mailings
Litigation
INTERNET TAX SALE MARKETING Linebarger Goggan Blair & Tax Foreclosure Sales Internet Sales Listings INTERNET TAX SALE MARKETING www.publicans.com Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson , LLP The law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP places ta x sale property listings online for the benefit of the public. You can search current listings by compl eting the following form: www.lgbs.com
Delinquent Business Personal Property Account Field Visits Visits made to local businesses 150 Tax Warrants Executed (Property and Bank Account Seizures)
Putting Properties Back on the Tax Roll Struck-off April 2002 Sold at Resale Auction in August 2002 $5,000 Opening Bid Sold for $43,000 2005 Appraised Value - $315,000
Putting Properties Back on the Tax Roll Sold at Auction in July 2003 for $7,400 2005 Appraised Value - $74,439
Putting Properties Back on the Tax Roll Sold at Auction in July 2002 for $10,200 2005 Appraised Value - $139,200
Exemptions Homestead Veterans Over 65 Disability Surviving Spouse Disabled Vet Killed in Action
How to Protest Take Pictures Gather Comps Bill of Sale File on Time DON’T MISS THE HEARING!
Contact Info HCAD 713-957-7800 www.hcad.org Harris Co Tax Office 713-368-2000 www.hctax.net Linebarger Goggan 713-844-3400 www.lgbs.com Tracy L. Jones 713-844-3582 tracy.jones@lgbs.com