Commissioners Court approves homestead exemptions for homeowners

June 17th, 2016

indexTax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan expressed his thanks to Harris County Commissioners Court for approving and adopting the property tax homestead exemptions.

“Each year, Harris County approves and adopts the homestead and Over-65/Disabled property tax exemptions,” said Sullivan. “This significantly reduces the tax burden for homeowners who qualify for these exemptions.”

Harris County Commissioners Court approved the orders for exemption from ad valorem taxation for tax year 2016 for the County, Flood Control District and Harris Health System (formerly known as Harris County Hospital District), in the following amounts of the appraised value of residence homesteads:

  • $5,000 or 20% of the appraised value, whichever is greater of an adult’s residence homestead;
  • $160,000 of the appraised value of the residence homestead of an individual who is disabled; or,
  • $160,000 of the appraised value of the residence homestead of an individual who is 65 or older.

Property owners are encouraged to contact the Harris County Appraisal District at www.hcad.org or call 713-957-7800 to apply for exemptions.

“Exemptions are the easiest way to reduce your tax bill. With tens of thousands of people moving to our region each year, I want to ensure they have the proper exemptions,” said Sullivan.

Residents can visit www.hctax.net to learn more about exemptions, tax deferrals and other ways to save money on their bill. If a resident has questions, they can contact our office by calling 713-274-8000 or emailing [email protected].

The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office Property Tax Division maintains approximately 1.5 million tax accounts and collects property taxes for 71 taxing entities including Harris County. The Tax Assessor-Collector’s office collects more than $5 billion in property taxes each year.

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Harris County Commissioners Approves Homestead Exemptions for Homeowners

May 26th, 2016

MikeXSullivanTax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan has sent thanks to Harris County Commissioners Court for approving and adopting the property tax homestead exemptions.

“Each year, Harris County approves and adopts the homestead and Over-65/Disabled property tax exemptions,” Sullivan said. “This significantly reduces the tax burden for homeowners who qualify for these exemptions.”

Harris County Commissioners Court approved the orders for exemption from ad valorem taxation for tax year 2016 for the County, Flood Control District and Harris Health System (formerly known as Harris County Hospital District), in the following amounts of the appraised value of residence homesteads:

  • $5,000 or 20 precent of the appraised value, whichever is greater of an adult’s residence homestead;
  • $160,000 of the appraised value of the residence homestead of an individual who is disabled; or,
  • $160,000 of the appraised value of the residence homestead of an individual who is 65 or older.

Property owners are encouraged to contact the Harris County Appraisal District at www.hcad.org or call 713-957-7800 to apply for exemptions.

“Exemptions are the easiest way to reduce your tax bill. With tens of thousands of people moving to our region each year, I want to ensure they have the proper exemptions,” said Sullivan.

Residents can visit www.hctax.net to learn more about exemptions, tax deferrals and other ways to save money on their bill. If a resident has questions, they can contact our office by calling 713-274-8000 or emailing [email protected].

The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office Property Tax Division maintains approximately 1.5 million tax accounts and collects property taxes for 71 taxing entities including Harris County. The Tax Assessor-Collector’s office collects more than $5 billion in property taxes each year.

 

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Renewal Period Extended for Auto Registration at Grocery Stores

August 5th, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-86492263Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan is extending the renewal period for drivers to update their expired auto registration at their local grocery store.

“The state has always granted drivers a grace period to renew their registration after expiration,” said Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan. “In Harris County, drivers had a 5-day grace period to renew their registration at their local grocery store. After that time, they were required to renew at a Tax Assessor-Collector branch office. Effective immediately, I’m extending that renewal period from 5-days to 30-days so drivers can get their registration sticker at grocery stores, like H-E-B, Kroger, Randalls and Fiesta.”

This extension will allow drivers to renew their registration 30 days after expiration at any Harris County Tax Assessor Collector registration renewal partner, if they have not received a citation for expired registration. If a driver has received a citation, they must renew at any Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector branch office.

“Earlier this year, we launched the One Sticker program in Harris County, and I know there is still confusion regarding how the program works,” said Mr. Sullivan. “That’s why I want to give drivers more options and make it easier for them to get their registrations. For this reason, I’ve decided to extend the renewal period.”

In addition to visiting their local grocery store and the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office, drivers can renew their registration online and by mail. Specific instructions will be noted on their registration renewal form. It is also important to note that this renewal extension does not extend the grace period allowed by law and that drivers may be given a citation if they are operating a vehicle with an expired registration.

To view a full list of auto registration renewal partners, visit www.hctax.net.

The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office Automobile Division performs more than 4.5 million automobile transactions in Harris County each year. It also works closely with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to register motor vehicles, collect registration and title fees and distributes them to the proper entities.

Learn more about the Automobile Services Division by visiting www.hctax.net.

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Mike Sullivan Launches Property Tax Workshops

April 14th, 2015

logo-bWorkshops to educate residents on ways to combat rising appraisal values

Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan announced today a new series of Property Tax Workshops to educate property owners on ways to reduce their tax burden through protesting, exemptions and more.

“Many property owners have already received their appraisal notice from the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) and I know they are very concerned about the rising appraisal values,” said Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan. “With new residents moving to our area every year, I’m inviting every homeowner to attend our Property Tax Workshops, which will discuss ways they can reduce their appraisal values through exemptions and protesting their values. I want to ensure taxpayers understand their rights and are fully prepared before they protest.”

The Property Tax Workshops are open to the public and will discuss how to protest property taxes, learn what exemptions are available and how to apply for a payment plan for delinquent tax bills. Staff from the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office and the Harris County Appraisal District will be available to answer questions.

If a resident has questions about the Property Tax Workshops, they can call our office at (713) 274-8000 or email [email protected]. The last day to file a property tax protest is June 1, 2015. Please see the schedule below:

Date, Time, Location, Address

4/21/15 10:00 AM – Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, 77042

4/22/15 10:00 AM – Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis Street, 77004

4/27/15 10:00 AM – Independence Heights Community Center, 603 East 35th Street, 77022

5/5/15 9:00 AM – Neighborhood Center, Inc.: Cleveland Ripley, 720 Fairmont Parkway, 77504

5/7/15 6:00 PM – Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, 77055

5/12/15 6:30 PM – Lone Star College – Kingwood (Room PAC 125), 20000 Kingwood Drive, 77339

5/13/15 10:30 AM – Trotter Family YMCA, 1331 Augusta Drive, 77057

5/14/15 6:00 PM – Neighborhood Centers, Inc.: Baker Ripley, 6500 Rookin Street, 77074

5/20/15 6:30 PM – Power Center (Green Room), 12401 S Post Oak Road, 77045

5/21/15 6:00 PM – Neighborhood Centers, Inc.: Ripley House, 4410 Navigation Boulevard, 7011

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320,000 Texas Drivers Receive Error in Renewal Notice

March 9th, 2015

86492263Mike Sullivan wants to ensure Harris County drivers are aware of issue

Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan wants to ensure Harris County drivers are aware of the issue concerning their vehicle registration notice.

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, two million vehicle registration renewal notices were mailed to customers on March 2, 2015 for their April renewals. From those notices, around 320,000 were printed with an incorrect inspection fee of $0.00 when a fee should have been printed. This only affects a select number of the April renewals.

“We don’t know how many Harris County drivers have been affected by this error, but my office is currently investigating the issue with the support of TxDMV staff,” said Mike Sullivan.

Affected drivers will receive a correct vehicle registration renewal and a notice in the mail from the TxDMV stating:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dear Customer: Please use the enclosed registration renewal notice when renewing your vehicle registration. The notice we sent to you earlier this month was printed with an incorrect fee and should be discarded. You are receiving a corrected renewal notice that displays the fee amount that is actually owed. You may disregard this notice if you have already received your registration sticker. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have questions, please contact 1-888-DMV-GOTX (1-888-368-4689).

“If you have received your April vehicle registration renewal notice and have concerns if it is correct, please contact the TxDMV at 1-888-DMV-GOTX (1-888-368-4689),” said Mr. Sullivan.

If you have any questions please contact the Office of Mike Sullivan at (713)274-8000 or by email at [email protected]

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