Soggy but determined

Re-appraisals

The recent flooding in Harris County has been tragic for many residents and our hearts go out to those who have been impacted.

As homeowners go about recovering, the last thing any property owner wants to worry about is property taxes. But taking some simple steps now, and taking time to understand how the system works, might save money, time and frustration. Here’s some basic information.

Property taxes are calculated from the appraised value and tax rates from the property’s taxing jurisdictions. The Harris County Appraisal District values your home on Jan. 1, 2016, and taxing jurisdictions adopt tax rates around October.

Residents have already begun receiving property appraisals for 2016. This year’s appraisals won’t take into account any damage you sustained by the recent floods. The only way homeowners can get a “re-appraisal” now is for their taxing jurisdiction to request and pay for a “special disaster reappraisal.”

There are things you can do, both for this year and for next, to minimize the impact of your property taxes. Protest your 2016 property tax appraisal. Keep repair receipts, insurance claims, cost estimates and photographs of damage. Once tax bills are mailed, you can apply for a disaster payment plan to break up your payment in 4 equal installments.

In addition, HCAD and the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office are hosting a series of workshops to discuss property tax calculations and protesting. Find a full schedule at www.hctax.net. Mike Sullivan, tax assessor-collector Sands L. Stiefer,

chief appraiser