New and updated property tax information has been compiled by Gregg County Appraisal District and is available to assist taxpayers.
This property tax information covers a wide range of topics, such as taxpayer exemptions, appraisals, and remedies, and has information for select groups, such as disabled veterans and persons age 65 or older.
“Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, disabled veteran, or other taxpayer, it’s important you know your rights concerning property tax laws, state deadlines, and exemptions you may be qualified to receive,” said Libby Neely, Chief Appraiser of the Gregg County Appraisal District. “Please feel free to contact us about any property tax issue, and we will provide you the most complete, accurate, and up-to-date information available to assist you. Also, our website, www.gcad.org contains information related to the function of our office, the ad valorem tax process, and exemption information.”
General Information
- Homestead Exemptions – A homestead is generally defined as the home and land used as the owner’s principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year.
A homestead exemption reduces the homestead’s taxable value and, as a result, lowers property taxes. Applications are submitted to the appraisal district office or can be filed online using the Online Forms portal at www.gcad.org.
- Over 65 Exemptions – Another type of exemption for homeowners aged 65 years or older is the Over 65 exemption. This exemption reduces the homestead’s taxable value with the added benefit of a ceiling to the taxable value for granting entities.
- Exemptions for Disabled Veterans – The law provides partial exemptions for property owned by disabled veterans or surviving spouses and surviving children of deceased, or disabled veterans. Another partial exemption is for homesteads donated to disabled veterans by charitable organizations.
Qualifying property receives an exemption amount based on the percentage of a service-connected disability. The law also provides a 100 percent homestead exemption for 100 percent disabled veterans and their surviving spouses and surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed in action.
- Other Property Tax Exemptions – Non-profit organizations that meet statutory requirements may seek property tax exemptions and must apply at the appraisal district by a specific date.
Businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units; ship inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption; store certain goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days; construct, install or acquire pollution control property; own and operate energy storage systems; convert landfill-generated gas, or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use may also be eligible for statutory exemptions.
- Residence Homestead Tax Deferral – Texas homeowners may postpone paying the currently delinquent property taxes due on the appreciating value of their homes by filing a tax deferral affidavit at their local county appraisal district.
This tax relief allows homeowners to pay the property taxes on 105 percent of the preceding year’s appraised value of their homestead, plus the taxes on any new improvements to the homestead. The remaining taxes are postponed, but not canceled, with interest accruing at 8 percent per year.
- Property Tax Deferral for Persons Age 65 or Older or Disabled or Disabled Veteran Homeowners – Texans age 65 or older or disabled, as defined by law, or who qualify for a disabled veteran exemption may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit.
Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred but not canceled, as long as the owner continues to own and live in the home. Interest continues to accrue at 5 percent per year on the unpaid taxes. You may obtain a deferral affidavit at the appraisal district.
- Productivity Appraisal – Property owners who use land for agricultural, timber production or wildlife management can be granted property tax relief on their land based on productivity. Visit the appraisal district’s website www.gcad.organd go to FORMS/Gregg CAD Forms & Applications for applications and information. Owners can also file an application electronically through the Online Forms portal on the website. Applications submitted without proper documentation will not be accepted.
- Rendering Taxable Property – If a business owns tangible personal property that is used to produce income, the business must file a rendition with the appraisal district by April 15th. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming. File online at www.gcad.org using the Online Forms portal.
- Appraisal Notices – Normally, taxpayers receive a notice of appraised value from the appraisal district in the spring. It is important that the owner review the information contained in the notice. The current value as compared to that of the previous year, the exemptions applied and the deadline date to file protest. The city, county, school districts, and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to set property taxes for the coming year.
- Protesting Property Appraisal Values – Property owners who disagree with the appraisal district’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the county Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Gregg Appraisal’s website, www.gcad.org has video information related to presenting your case to the ARB.
- Property Taxpayer Remedies – This Comptroller publication explains in detail how to protest a property appraisal, what issues the county appraisal review board (ARB) can consider, and what to expect during a protest hearing.
The publication also discusses the options of taking a taxpayer’s case to the district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings, or binding arbitration if the taxpayer is dissatisfied with the ARB hearing outcome. Visit the Texas Comptroller’s website at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/protests/index.php for more information.
- Notice of Availability of Electronic Communication – Chief appraisers and ARBs may communicate electronically through email or other media with property owners or their designated representatives.
Written agreements are required for notices and other documents to be delivered electronically. Visit www.gcad.org and click Info tab – Gregg CAD Forms and Applications to find the Electronic Delivery of Notice Form.
Information related to any of the above topics is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.