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Investing to support
the American way of life is a privilege. Property taxes are the local
taxes that preserve where we live. Property taxes are based on the value of property
and assessed accordingly, to balance the weight of the tax expense in a fair
manner.
Taxes collected are used to maintain city streets, county roads
and bridges. They support our police and fire departments. These taxes
make many of the deeply needed emergency and human services a reality.
A large percentage help to pay for our public schools and, as Aristotle
said, “All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have
been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of the
youth.”
The Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office
takes pride in serving the constituents of this county. This page provides
basic information about property taxes, rates, exemptions, deferrals,
tax certificates, payment, and taxing units. For more detailed
information about the Texas Property Tax System review
these page provided by the Comptroller of the State of Texas.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free
to contact us in person | by phone | by
mail | or by email.
Remember that this is your office.
Local Government Tax Rate Adoption:
Get Involved in the Process
Many home and business owners complain about taxes long after
the time for input has passed -- when they receive their tax bill. The
time for input on how much local governments should spend is in the summer
and early fall.
Truth in Taxation Laws
Texas' Truth in Taxation Laws provide for taxpayer input into the tax
rate adoption process that ultimately determines how much we pay in local
government taxes. The laws define procedures every taxing unit must follow
to levy a tax. Examples of these requirements include publications that
list fund balances and debts, notices of public hearings and formal actions
taxpayers may take to limit a tax increase. The purpose of Truth in Taxation
Laws is to involve taxpayers in the decision making of how public funds
should be spent.
Property Values
The tax calendar begins with setting property values, which runs early
in the year through May. Please visit the website of the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) to learn more about appraised values, the formalized protest process and property tax exemption requirements. In June and July, after the Appraisal Review Board has heard owner valuation protests, the appraisal roll is finalized
by the appraisal district and the chief appraiser turns the roll over
to each taxing unit. The appraisal roll contains all changes in value
such as new properties discovered and increases or decreases in value. Value is determined
from market data (for homesteads) and cost or income data (for business
property).
Again, please visit or contact the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) directly if you have questions about your property's appraised value. The Travis County Tax Office works closely with the Appraisal District, but are not able to make changes to appraisal values, ownership records or property exemptions. Only TCAD can assist taxpayers with those specific needs.
The Effective Tax Rate
Each tax year local taxing unit officials, such as the City Council and
the County Commissioners' Court, examine the needs of operating budgets
and debt payment in relation to the total taxable value of properties
located in the taxing unit's jurisdiction. Taxing unit officials must
adhere to specific procedures established in Truth and Taxation Laws when
they decide tax rates. The process used is dependent on benchmark rates
known as the effective tax rate and the rollback rate.
The effective tax rate is the rate that would
provide the taxing unit with approximately the same amount of revenue
it had the year before on properties taxed in both years. For example,
if property values go up, the effective tax rate goes down. Comparing
the effective rate to the taxing unit's proposed tax rate is an
indicator of whether there will be a tax increase.
Rollback Rate
The rollback rate is the rate that would provide the taxing unit approximately
the same amount of revenue it spent in the previous year for day-to-day
operations plus an extra 8% cushion, and sufficient funds to pay its debts
in the coming year.
If a unit adopts a tax rate that is higher than
the rollback rate, voters in the unit can circulate a petition calling
for an election to roll back - or limit - the size of the tax
increase.
Local Rates
For many taxing units located in Travis County, the effective tax rate
and rollback rate are published in the Austin American-Statesman during
the month of August each year. The ad usually lists fund balances, debts,
effective and roll back rates for local taxing units. Tax rates are also
announced on the main Travis County website as they are determined.
Tax Assessment and Collection
Once property values are finalized and all local taxing entities have adopted their current year rates, the Tax Assessor-Collector's office begins the process of calculating the taxes due and sending out tax statements to property owners following requirements set out by the Texas Tax Code. Most people receive their tax statements by mail in October or November each year. Because the bills can only be sent out once property values and tax rates have been finalized, when you receive your bill, it is too late to get involved to effect change in the total amount due. We encourage citizens to become informed and involved in Truth In Taxation activities that are written into the Texas Tax Code as described above.
If you haven't seen a bill you are expecting, please visit the Research Taxes page on this website or call us at (512) 854-9473. Be aware that owners are responsible for making timely payment of taxes due on or before the required deadline, regardless of whether the statement issued has been received. Our office is happy to supply copies of tax statements, receipts for prior years paid and discuss property tax payment plans with anyone who may need those services. Remember that this is your office. We are here to help you.
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Homeowners who are 65 years old or older and individuals with disabilities
have an option to defer payment of taxes on their homestead at a lower
rate. Property tax deferrals allow qualified homeowners to pay taxes at
any time without penalty, using 8% interest per year rather than the standard
24% penalty and interest. Deferrals cannot be applied retroactively to
delinquent taxes from past tax years, only to those currently due. In
other words, any tax that is delinquent before the deferral period begins
is not eligible for the 8% interest per year.
Homeowners and those who assist or care for them
are advised that the deferred status changes immediately upon the sale
or change of property ownership. On the 181st day after the deferred
status changes, all standard penalty and interest charges for all
years are due.
View the Deferral
Video. Download a free video player
Apply for a property tax deferral through the Travis Central Appraisal District.
Click here to view the application
for property tax deferral (Español). Because their offiice is responsible for processing deferral requests, for further assistance please contact the Travis Central Appraisal District,
Monday through Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at (512) 834-9138 if you have any additional questions about this benefit.
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A tax certificate is a document showing the current
status of taxes. If delinquent, the certificate reflects penalties and
interest that are due according to tax records.
The fee to obtain a certificate is $10.00 per certificate.
(Pre-payment is required if requesting three or more.)
To order a tax certificate for real or personal property
located in Travis County you may order by phone by calling (512) 854-9473 or
simply print the form and fax, mail or hand deliver it to our office
at 5501 Airport Boulvard for processing. (Español)
Tax Certificates generally take three (3) business days
from the date they are ordered to research, prepare and create. Once ready,
we will contact you to let you know they are available for pick up or
to arrange delivery by mail if needed.
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