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<br /> AD VALORa4 TAXATION <br /> General Features ... The Bonds are payable from an ad valorem tax levied on all taxable <br /> property wi thi n the taxi ng uni t. Reference is hereby made to the Property Tax Code for <br /> identification of property subject to taxation, property exempt or which may be exempted from <br /> taxation, the appraisal of property for taxation purposes, and the procedures and limitations <br /> applicable to the levy and collection of ad valorem taxes. Among other features, the Property <br /> Tax Code contains the following provisions with respect to the assessment of property and the <br /> levy and collection of ad valorem taxes: <br /> (1) a single appraisal district in each county to appraise property for taxation purposes <br /> for all taxing units located wholly or partly within the county; <br /> (2) all property is assessed at 100% of its appraised value and the assessment of pro- <br /> perty on the basis of a percentage of its appraised value ;s prohibited; <br /> (3) the requirement of holding a public hearing when an annual increase in the effective <br /> tax rate is more than 3% and subjecting an increase in the effective tax rate to a referendum <br /> election when the effective tax rate increase is in excess of 8% (calculated as determined in <br /> the manner prescribed therefor) of the previous year's effective tax rate; and <br /> (4) the value of property is assessed for purposes of taxation on January 1 of each year <br /> and taxes levied each year generally become due and payable on October 1 in each year. <br /> Taxable Property and Exem~ ... All real property located in the taxing unit and certain <br /> persona 1 property is taxab e property unless exempt by 1 a'll. With certa i n excepti ons, i ntangi- <br /> ble personal property is not taxable property. Certain property is taxed according to income <br /> producing capacity, if claimed, including open space land (ranch and farm land) and timber <br /> land. <br /> Principal categories of exempt property include: (1) property owned and used for public <br /> purposes by the State of Texas or its political subdivisions; (2) property exempt by federal <br /> law; (3) household goods and personal effects not held or used in the production of income; <br /> (4) certain property owned by charitable organizations, youth development associations, and <br /> religious organizations; (5) certain properties used for school purposes; (6) solar and <br /> wind-powered energy devices; (7) farm products, livestock, and poultry in the hands of the <br /> producer, and family supplies for home and farm use; (8) implements of husbandry used in <br /> the production of farm and ranch products; (9) personally owned automobiles (unless affirm- <br /> atively provided to be taxed by the taxing entity); and (10) property owned by disabled veterans <br /> or by the surviving spouse and surviving minor children of disabled veterans is exempt from <br /> taxation in amounts ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the disability rating of the <br /> veteran. <br /> Additional~y, a percentage of the value of the residence homestead of a person may be exempt <br /> from taxatlon at the option of the governing body of the taxing entity, such exemption not to <br /> exceed 40% for the years 1982 through 1984,30% for the years 1985 through 1987 and 20% in <br /> 1988 and each subsequent year.. Minimum exemption is $5,000. Furthermore, not less than $3,000 <br /> o! the market value of the resldence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older and certain <br /> dlsabled persons may be exempt from taxation, if such exemption is allowed by the governing <br /> body of the taxing entity or imposed by referendum election. <br /> For property to be exempt from taxation, a claim for exemption must be filed, except with <br /> respect to property owned by the State or its political subdivisions, property exempt by <br /> federal law, household goods and personal effects, family supplies, fanm products, implements <br /> of farming and ranching, and automobiles. <br /> -7- <br />