Businesses Required to Render Taxable Personal Property

The Texas Property Tax Code now requires that property owners render all tangible personal property used for the production of income in Texas. The rendition must identify, describe and provide the location of all taxable property as of January 1.

The rendition must be filed using a form approved by the State Comptroller and must be filed by April 15, unless an extension is allowed. Penalties have been created to enforce the rendition requirement, with a penalty applied if the rendition is not filed, filed late, or false.

Read the article.

PROPERTY TAX TIP

Beware of Unapproved Appraisal District Forms

Several appraisal districts have created their own forms for use by taxpayers. These forms might be available on the district's website, at its office, or even mailed to taxpayers.

Recently, there have been instances where appraisal districts are promulgating rendition forms that have not been approved by the State Comptroller. The Comptroller has mandated that, in filing a rendition, the taxpayer either use the form created by the Comptroller or a form that has been specifically approved by the Comptroller.

While an appraisal district might accept a rendition filed on its own unapproved form, such a rendition will technically be in violation of the Comptroller's mandate. Also, taxpayers should be wary of using one appraisal district's proferred form in any other appraisal district, since the used form might not be approved and may be rejected by the other appraisal district.

Find links to the Comptroller's forms and other forms.

Upcoming deadlines

February 2
Last day to file special inventory declaration (retailers of cars, boats, heavy equipment, and manufactured homes)

February 2
Last day to pay 2003 taxes before delinquency

February 2
First of four installments due for senior or disabled homestead taxpayers

Important Note
Because January 31 fell on a Saturday in 2004, the deadlines above were pushed to February 2, but only if taxes are paid or declarations filed in person at the correct office.