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Thanksgiving, Left Over Turkey. Next is Taxes

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty, LLC

 

 Calf

  Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone.  I'm getting tired of turkey.  This calf is really thankful that he is NOT a turkey.  And, there are quite a few people that wish they had a pasture full of cows so that they could qualify for an Agriculture Exemption on their land.   Which brings me to my point.  Property Taxes. 

Property taxes include both real estate taxes and personal property taxes that real estate professionals and other businesses incurr. 

If you live in Texas, property taxes are due on January 31.  However, if you prefer, you can split it up into two payments.  The first half would be due by November 30 - which is this coming Friday.  The second installment would then be due by June 30.  (Those over 65 may be eligible for an installment plan on their primary residence.)  See www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/tc06/ch31a.htm#31.02 for more information. 

So, you have a  choice - that you might want to think about before you finish your Christmas shopping. 

Would you rather pay half now or the entire amount in January, after you have blown your budget on Christmas? 

 Of course, those that are great at budgeting, don't care either way.   Nor do those home owners who have escrow accounts.  This is the prime time when you realize how nice having the escrow is.  

BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET your spending. Think about what you bills you HAVE to pay before you do your Christmas shopping.  It wouldn't hurt to consider how your federal income taxes will be looking also.  But, that can be the subject of another post.   

Disclaimer:  Everyone's tax situation is potentially different.  This is meant to be a general reminder.  If you have questions about your particular situation, consulting a qualified Certified Public Accountant and/or your local taxing jurisdiction. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ginger Magoon
Remax - Bryan College Station - College Station, TX
Bryan, College Station Texas Real Estate
Thanks for the reminder.  Tis the season to start thinking of those things.  Happy Holidays
Nov 24, 2007 10:23 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana
Taxes UGH you had to bring that up before Christmas.  Thanks a lot
Nov 24, 2007 10:41 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Sondra, here in the Houston area we have three different taxing entities; county, school and MUD.  I have not heard about being able to split any of those, that would be great though.
Nov 24, 2007 11:59 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS
Sondra,     I had not heard you could split them either.  But if so, that's great.  Taxes is something everyone should think a lot about especially before we spend more than we should at Christmas.  Thanks for a great timely reminder! Think I'll pay early this year.
Nov 24, 2007 12:05 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Ricki and Marchel,

Well...you might want to check with your local tax assessors office.  In Brazos County, all of the taxing entities are collected by the same person.  The split option is clearly stated on our bill. 

But my Grandmother mentioned that she was able to get permission to pay in installments - which I had never heard of.  So, I did a little research and found out she was correct.  The local appraisal district website barely mentioned it but it had a link to the State of Texas web site.  I included that link in the post above.  After reading the information on that page, I felt my post was applicable to other counties also.  Up to that point, I didn't realize that we were supposed to all be on the same schedule. 

It could be worth checking into.  Thank you both for your comments.

Nov 24, 2007 02:34 PM