Texas Property Tax is a Mess
181 Texas Legislators Know Property Taxes Need Fixing
We the Texas taxpayers know, the legislators know this. But what is their response to fix it?
Tax Rate as set by local taxing authorities
Appraisal Value
Possible Reforms
The Tax Rate is set by your local taxing authorities in which the taxpayer resides. As these are set by local elected officials, every citizen should put pressure on these local elected officials to keep the rate low or even lower.
The Appraisal Value here is a complexity of so many hands in the soup. Appraisal boards, Chief Appraisers, Appraisal Review Boards, Arbitration, Formal Hearings, Informal Hearings with a whole additional layer of oversight by the Texas Comptroller. All combined to make a labyrinth for the residential homeowner and a lucrative field of pursuit for consultants and lawyers for commercial property. Appraisals are to be at market value per the Texas Legislature. While this is set it still seems to the average property owner to be a capricious value more divined than derived.
Possible Reforms
1. Appraisal Board of Directors Should be elected not appointed by the taxing authorities.
2. While the market value may be the appraisal district's mark. The taxable value cannot go up more than a consumer price index in any one year.
3. All Taxing Authorities should be required to allow Homestead Exemptions.
4. All Taxing Authorities should be required to allow Over 65 Exemptions.
5. No Child in School District Property Tax Exemption. (see Texas Public Education tab on this website)