Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM November 2019 | Page 16

TAXING MATTERS CHERYL E. JOHNSON, PCC Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector [email protected] Part III - TAX HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 86TH O ver the last couple of months I have shared information on property tax law changes that included HB 3 (school finance reform bill), SB 2 (Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act) and Constitutional Propositions under consideration November 5th. This final highlight report covers other tax legislation - most taking effect January 1. Also, below you will see an analysis of the average tax bill for League City and Clear Creek ISD property owners in Galveston County which compares 2018 to 2019. For individual tax increase or decreases, Galveston County residents should view the back of the 2019 tax statement for a five year history. By the date of publication, I hope to post on my website (www.galcotax.com) at the Property Tax Information – Entity Partners link specific historical levy (revenue) information for each government partner (click on http:// www.galvestoncountytx.gov/to/Pages/EntityPartners. aspx). The rest of the story on property tax changes:  Teeth has been put back into law for CADs not complying with Comptroller review recommendations  Disabled person turning 65 may receive both exemptions for different taxing units if it benefits them  Spouse of disabled person is entitled to tax ceiling as long as he or she remains in the home; goes back in time for spouses of DP who died before this bill takes effect  If value is lowered after an informal or formal protest it may not be increased the next year unless supported by clear and convincing (versus substantial) evidence. Clear and convincing means highly likely versus substantial which means it could be true.  Additional persons added to confidential home address protections (firefighter or volunteer firefighter, EMS personnel, a state officer elected statewide or a member of the legislature)  Notice of appraised value must include explanation of all exemptions available 14 MOMENTUM  Mortgage company errors may be forgiven as clerical errors  Auctioneers can now recoup fees from the proceeds of a Sheriff Sale  A property owner cannot transfer right of redemption to another after a Sheriff Sale  A property owner/agent and chief appraiser may file a joint motion with the ARB that they have agreed to a value  If a property owner has not established standing to appeal to District Court, the Judge may remand back to ARB (instead of dismissing the appeal) In other news – by publication, Galveston County Commissioners will have previewed and will hopefully approve a new online Sheriff Sale bidding system meaning YOU will be able to bid on these properties from the comfort of your home, office or while on vacation as well as bid on properties in different counties and states! If approved, we hope to have the system up and running no later than this spring. Expect more information as it becomes available. The values in the chart represent the average of the combined taxable homestead values extracted from ETR Worksheets. Harris County property values are NOT included. (Recent great news for Harris County property owners - HC Commissioners will have been forced to adopt the effective tax rate rather than the proposed rollback rate which prevented a 12% increase in taxes this year which would have taken away your school tax savings.) CONCLUSION: The average valued homeowner in Galveston County, League City and CCISD will realize a 2% tax decrease!