Texas Heat!

[SandburRanch]

We do get RFD-TV via our DirecTV, but I seldom watch it simply because of my bad hearing and their lack of closed captioning.

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Not just RFD-TV but all TV in general - If the producers would be a little considerate of us that are hearing impaired and stop all the stupid ( percussion especially ) background music maybe we could possibly, just possibly stand to watch some of their shows.

Closed captioning doesn't work for me when I'm required to read 5 lines in 1.2 seconds (one point two seconds) with white letters on white background.

I know, I know, we hearing impaired aren't the majority so that's not where the money is.

 

[txdon]

Aren't all the property taxes in Texas based upon value as of January 1 of the tax year? I'm not sure who would have the authority to grant exceptions. And would exceptions be fair?

Western I'll find out about any federal monies. I know someone that had his house burned.

Bird, there is an exception for large disasters such as a hurricanes or wildfires in which the county can prorate the taxes if they choose to. Of course this would probably mean a cut in county services and county layoffs when they need them most.

 

[Bird]

Don, I didn't know about that exception. If the county grants that, does it also affect city and school taxes?

 

[jinman]

I know this isn't going to happen, nor would it be fair in some circumstances, but I'd love to have a law that said a person could pay the assessed property taxes or sell it to the county for the assessed value at mediation. You can bet property tax assessors would have to do more than drive by on the street as they do now. I know what I'm suggesting is totally unrealistic, but it sure would stop things like people having to pay when they have suffered such a catastrophic loss. I think the truly best thing the counties could do is roll the taxes of these folks forward up to 5 years with no penalties. That way, it would give them a chance to collect insurance, rebuild, and come back to some semblance of normalcy.

Oh well. . . If they wanted my advice, my phone number is listed. I'm sure they'd have called me by now. :laughing:

 

[RobertBrown]

I know this isn't going to happen, nor would it be fair in some circumstances, but I'd love to have a law that said a person could pay the assessed property taxes or sell it to the county for the assessed value at mediation. You can bet property tax assessors would have to do more than drive by on the street as they do now. I know what I'm suggesting is totally unrealistic, but it sure would stop things like people having to pay when they have suffered such a catastrophic loss. I think the truly best thing the counties could do is roll the taxes of these folks forward up to 5 years with no penalties. That way, it would give them a chance to collect insurance, rebuild, and come back to some semblance of normalcy.

Oh well. . . If they wanted my advice, my phone number is listed. I'm sure they'd have called me by now. :laughing:

The logic is there.
Here, property taxes are based on improvements and the square footage of same. Seems to me if those improvements are no longer such and have become financial burdens then the property has certainly been devalued.
The reassessment should occur and the value reestablished from the date of the catastrophe. The taxable value should go up as the property is rebuilt or otherwise improved.

 

[Bird]

I know this isn't going to happen, nor would it be fair in some circumstances, but I'd love to have a law that said a person could pay the assessed property taxes or sell it to the county for the assessed value at mediation. You can bet property tax assessors would have to do more than drive by on the street as they do now. I know what I'm suggesting is totally unrealistic, but it sure would stop things like people having to pay when they have suffered such a catastrophic loss. I think the truly best thing the counties could do is roll the taxes of these folks forward up to 5 years with no penalties. That way, it would give them a chance to collect insurance, rebuild, and come back to some semblance of normalcy.

Oh well. . . If they wanted my advice, my phone number is listed. I'm sure they'd have called me by now. :laughing:

Yep, Jim, we sold our house when I retired to become full time RVers for awhile, and I would loved to have gotten as much for it as what the tax appraisor said it was worth. In fact I had contested the appraised value and go it lowered bout 6% which left the appraisal only about 14% more than we sold it for.

And right now, I think our ourrent home is appraised for considerably more than we could get for it, but I haven't complained this time because I would NOT want to sell this one for the tax man's appraised value.

 

[txdon]

Don, I didn't know about that exception. If the county grants that, does it also affect city and school taxes?

You ask good questions. I don't know exactly where the city limits is and how many, if any, incorporated city homes were affected . I don't know about school tax the news paper article did not specify.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The paper said the county was following taxing precedents established after the hurricane that hit Galveston and Houston in 2008 I think?

 

[Bird]

You ask good questions. I don't know exactly where the city limits is and how many, if any, incorporated city homes were affected . I don't know about school tax the news paper article did not specify.

When you look at my property tax statement, it's about 62.7% school taxes, 28.5% city taxes, and only 8.8% county tax, so if it's only county taxes, it wouldn't be a huge savings, although it might be a big problem for the county. I guess outside the city limits might be a little different, but I suspect the school taxes are the biggest bite everywhere.

 

[two_bit_score]

When you look at my property tax statement, it's about 62.7% school taxes, 28.5% city taxes, and only 8.8% county tax, so if it's only county taxes, it wouldn't be a huge savings, although it might be a big problem for the county. I guess outside the city limits might be a little different, but I suspect the school taxes are the biggest bite everywhere.

School taxes are usually always the largest percentage of your ad valorem tax bill.

It should not matter how much the taxing entities may 'need the money', if the property was devalued the appraised value should be reduced in accordance with the law.

 

[Western]

Don, this is just speculation on my part, but it seems someone mentioned that school attendance was way down since burned out family's had to move?

I like RoberBrowns idea, but I can sure see where the county is in a "pickle" for cash. They may not be in a good position to pro rate the taxes without state or federal help and keep the county services. I imagine it is the same to a degree with the school system.

Bird, they even count my outdoor decks in my tax evaluation, which to me is ludicrous, but our taxes did go down slightly this year.

 

[Bird]

Yeah, Dennis, my taxes went down $24.38 this year. That's because last year they raised our valuation way too much, so they lowered it just a bit this year.:laughing:

 

[foreman Etexas]

Sorry I know the topic is Taxes but all this rain has been a blessing for us.:thumbsup:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Sorry I know the topic is Taxes but all this rain has been a blessing for us.:thumbsup:

Texas is Taxes spelled sideways...

 

[foreman Etexas]

Texas is Taxes spelled sideways...

Yeah just got my Ag#,they made the number long enough,hope I dont ever forget my card.

 

[two_bit_score]

Yeah just got my Ag#,they made the number long enough,hope I dont ever forget my card.

You waited too long. Mine only had 3 digits. :laughing: