Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine Summer 2017 Issue | Page 19

Taxing Matters Who’s Who in the By: Cheryl E. Johnson, PCC Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector [email protected] Property Tax Process? In these articles, I have shared the history of the property tax, its advantages and disadvantages, how to protest the value (real and personal property), the process of government budgeting and tax rate adoption, ways to pay, buying properties at a Sheriff sale, researching unclaimed refunds, gaffes to avoid and tales from a tax office. When appraisal notices were mailed by the Galveston Central Appraisal District (twice for those in CCISD), I became the You People who didn’t know what they were doing and have been vilified by many. This is clearly a case of mistaken identity! I am You People in October. The Galveston Central Appraisal District is You People today! There are four phases in the Texas property tax system and different offices are responsible as illustrated at right. A similar visual would be to take a Property Tax Code and open it (approximately) to the middle - half would be the job of the county appraisal district and the other half the tax office (at least for those in Galveston and Harris Counties). So who is who when you face a value issue during appraisal and equalization? Who is accountable? See below. Property Tax Phases Appraisal January-April CAD locates , lists & appraises property as of January 1; administers exemptions, delivers appraisal notices & maintains property records CAD Equalization May-July CAD appraisers hold informal conferences with property owners and ARB hears valuation disputes Assessment July-October TAC receives appraisal roll, assists governments with tax rate calculation, publication & adoption and mails statements GCTO Collection Oct-January TAC begins collections as property owners receive statements & remit payment