Having a residential or commercial property in Texas, you must already be knowing the property taxes. Every year you have to pay some amount as a tax, which is based on your property value. The last value is on a fixed date and tax on it is what you have to pay. As a relief, you have some exemptions, which are available to you depending upon if you are eligible for them or not.
To know about El Paso property taxes, you can always look for official publications from authorities. Along with the information you can also get to know about the conditions necessary for availing exemptions. They give the exemptions on the valuation and not on the amount of tax. Like, if you are eligible for a basic exemption then a fixed amount will not be in your taxable value.
Understanding the basic system of tax
The procedure starts in the month of January often on the 1st. Officers write the value of the property on records and depending upon the age, and exemptions to taxpayers.
Between January to April, taxpayers file their requests for incorrect property valuation done by an officer, or denial from exemptions. Once such applications reach the authorities, they overview applications and start working on them.
Then, in September, the tax officers complete the process of tax calculations, and they levy various taxes on the property.
Then, from October, the collection process starts. Officers send the tax bills and statements to people for payment. The due dates for payment of tax fall on 31st January of next year. And from the 1st of February, the late payment interest and penalties become applicable besides tax.
What do you need to do?
– It is your responsibility to apply for the exemptions and other reliefs.
– You must check for your properties in appraisal records so that if any property is not on the list, you can share the information to avoid any penalties or scrutiny assessment.
– And another basic responsibility is to pay taxes on time so authorities take no penal actions against you.
What do the rules say?
– Uniformity: As per the constitution the government states that taxes must be uniform and equal for all the people.
– Authorities take the values on the first of January, although some exceptions are there to this rule in most cases the value is written in records on the first of January.
– Exemptions must be available to citizens on some conditions, and such exemption should exclude part of the value of the property.
– Right to notice: People may get a notice about the increase in property values and tax rates.
Better to take help
If you think there are some discrepancies in your tax or property value, then you can appoint an agent on your behalf. First, give your authorization letter to such an agent which states that you are allowing him to file clarifications and attend meetings with authorities on your behalf. Although you don’t need an agent for filing exemption claims but for legal proceedings and communication, you need one.
