Agricultural Use - Productivity Appraisal

Property Taxes on Farms and Ranches Could be Reduced with Productivity Appraisal

Texas farmers and ranchers can be granted property tax relief on their land. They may apply to the Angelina County Appraisal District for agricultural productivity appraisal and for a lower appraisal based on typical production, versus market value.

The Texas Constitution authorizes two types of agricultural productivity appraisals, 1-d-1 and 1-d, named after the section in which they were authorized. For 1-d-1 appraisal, property owners must use the land for agriculture or timber and the land’s use must meet the degree of intensity generally accepted in the area. Owners must also show that the land was used for this purpose at least five of the preceding seven years. 1-d-1 appraisal does not restrict ownership to individuals and does not require agriculture to be the owner’s primary business. Most land owners apply for the 1-d-1 appraisal.

Under 1-d appraisal, the land must have been used for this purpose at least three years and the owner must be an individual versus a corporation, partnership, agency or organization. The land must also be the owner’s primary source of income.

Penalties in the form of a rollback tax, or the difference between the taxes paid under productivity appraisal and the taxes that would have been paid if the land had been put on the tax roll at market value, will be imposed if qualified land is taken out of agriculture or timber production.

A rollback tax occurs when a land owner switches the land’s use to non-agricultural. These rollback taxes are based on the three tax years preceding the year of change.

Texas law allows farmers and ranchers to use land for wildlife management and still receive the special appraisal, but the land must be qualified for agriculture use in the preceding year. Land under wildlife management must also meet special use qualifications.

The deadline to apply for productivity appraisal is April 30. If the last day for the performance of an act is a Saturday, Sunday or legal state or national holiday, the act is timely if performed on the next regular business day. Late applications may be accepted but may be subject to a late-application penalty.  Owners of land qualified as 1-d must file a new application every year. Owners of land qualified as 1-d-1 need not file again in later years unless the chief appraiser requests a new application.

For more information about productivity appraisal and application forms, contact the Angelina County Appraisal District at (936)634-8456. Information is also available on the state Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

ANGELINA CAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL HOLD THE FINAL QUARTERLY MEETING FOR 2022 ON NOVEMBER 17, 2022

This meeting will begin at 8:30am upstairs at the designated OFFSITE LOCATION:

101 Cotton Square, Lufkin, TX

There are no public agenda items for this meeting but the public, as always, is welcome and encouraged to attend and will be given time to comment.

PROPERTY TAXPAYER REMEDIES AVAILABLE

Texas Comptroller’s Office Helps Property Taxpayers Stay Informed of their Rights with Updated Publication

The Texas Comptroller’s office has released the publication Property Taxpayer Remedies, a reference guide for property taxpayers which addresses property tax basics, providing a step-by-step guide on preparing for a protest hearing and what they can do if they are dissatisfied with an appraisal review board’s decision.

Property Taxpayer Remedies also provides key dates so property owners know what they must do and when they are required to act to exercise their right to protest.

Property Taxpayer Remedies is available from the Angelina County Appraisal District at 418 N. Second St, Lufkin, TX. The publication is also available from the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/. 

Notice of Availability of Electronic Communications

February 1st

Notice of Availability of Electronic Communications  — Chief appraisers of county appraisal districts and appraisal review boards (ARBs) may communicate electronically through email or other media with property owners or their designated representatives. Written agreements are required for notices and other documents to be delivered electronically in place of mailing.

How does it work? Certain guidelines must be followed for this local option communication:

• Written agreements with the county appraisal district must be entered first, ensuring what electronic means of delivery are acceptable. If you are interested in receiving communications in electronic format, you should contact your local appraisal district.

• Public notice regarding the availability of agreement forms authorizing electronic communications may be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the appraisal district on or before Feb. 1 each year, or agreement forms may be delivered on or before Feb. 1 each year to property owners shown on the certified appraisal roll for the preceding tax year.

• The chief appraiser may determine the medium, format, content and method to be used for electronic communications other than notices required by Tax Code Section 25.19 which are prescribed by rule.

• A decision by the chief appraiser not to enter into agreements may not be the subject of an ARB protest, a lawsuit or a complaint to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

For more information, contact Angelina County Appraisal District at:  (636)634-8456 or P.O.Box 2357, Lufkin, TX  75902.

Local Property Tax Database Available

Website Provides Information on Property Tax Rates

Property owners in Angelina County will receive an annual postcard directing them to angelina.truthintaxation.com. This is the official website on which property owners can easily access information regarding property taxes, including the amount of taxes that each entity that taxes a property will impose if the entity adopts its proposed tax rate. Property owners may also visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to their local property tax website.

Taxing units regularly update this website during August and September as local elected officials propose and adopt the property tax rates that will determine how much you pay in property taxes.

The website allows property owners to provide feedback on the tax rate process and provides the following property-specific information for each taxing unit authorized to levy a tax on the property, including:

    • property values;

    • proposed tax rates;

    • an estimate of property taxes that would be imposed under the proposed rates;

    • dates and locations of public hearings on the tax rates; and

    • other useful information on taxing unit budgets, revenue and rate calculations.

Continue to check the website for updates throughout the tax rate adoption process in August and September. Contact (NAME) Appraisal District at (INSERT CAD CONTACT INFORMATION) with questions regarding this website.(Texas Property Tax Code 26.04)

If you would like more information from each taxing unit, you can find their contact information, including phone numbers, email addresses, and websites by searching your property at Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes.  The county tax assessor-collector does not determine property values or set tax rates.

NOTE:  REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR PROPERTY SEARCHES.  NON-ESSENTIAL USER ACCOUNTS MAY BE DELETED.

There is no cost, if you are being ask to pay, you are on the wrong web page!

PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION

Updated Property Tax Information Now Available for Texas Taxpayers

New and updated property tax information has just been compiled by Angelina County Appraisal District and is available now to assist taxpayers. This property tax information is current and covers a wide range of topics, such as taxpayer remedies, exemptions and appraisals, and has information for select groups, such as disabled veterans and persons age 65 or older.

This includes information about the following programs:

    • Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans - The law provides partial exemptions for any property owned by disabled veterans or surviving spouses and surviving children of deceased disabled veterans. Another partial exemption is for homesteads donated to disabled veterans by charitable organizations at no cost or not more than 50 percent of the good faith estimate of the homestead’s market value to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The exemption amount is determined according to percentage of service-connected disability. The law also provides a 100 percent homestead exemption for 100 percent disabled veterans and their surviving spouses and surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.

    • Property Tax Exemptions – Non-profit organizations that meet statutory requirements may seek property tax exemptions and must apply to their local appraisal district by a specific date. Businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units; ship inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption; store certain goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days; construct, install or acquire pollution control property; own and operate energy storage systems; convert landfill-generated gas; or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use may also be eligible for statutory exemptions.

    • Rendering Taxable Property - If a business owns tangible personal property that is used to produce income, the business must file a rendition with its local appraisal district by a specified date. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.

    • Appraisal Notices – Normally, taxpayers receive a notice of appraised value from the appropriate local appraisal district. The city, county, school districts and other local taxing units use the appraisal district’s value to set property taxes for the coming year.

    • Property Taxpayer Remedies – This Comptroller publication explains in detail how to protest a property appraisal, what issues the county appraisal review board (ARB) can consider and what to expect during a protest hearing. The publication also discusses the option to request limited binding arbitration to compel the ARB or chief appraiser to comply with a procedural requirement and the options of taking a taxpayer’s case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings or binding arbitration if the taxpayer is dissatisfied with the outcome of the ARB hearing.

    • Homestead Exemptions – A homestead is generally defined as the home and land used as the owner’s principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year. A homestead exemption reduces the appraised value of the home and, as a result, lowers property taxes. Applications are submitted to the appropriate local appraisal district.

    • Productivity Appraisal – Property owners who use land for timberland production, agricultural purposes or wildlife management can be granted property tax relief on their land. They may apply to their local appraisal district for an agricultural appraisal which may result in a lower appraisal of the land based on production, versus market value

    • Residence Homestead Tax Deferral - Texas homeowners may postpone paying the currently delinquent property taxes due on the appreciating value of their homes by filing a tax deferral affidavit at their local county appraisal district. This tax relief allows homeowners to pay the property taxes on 105 percent of the preceding year’s appraised value of their homestead, plus the taxes on any new improvements to the homestead. The deferral postpones the remaining taxes, with interest accruing at 8 percent per year but does not cancel them.

    • Property Tax Deferral for Persons Age 65 or Older or Disabled or Disabled Veteran Homeowners – Texans who are age 65 or older or disabled, as defined by law, or who qualify for a disabled veteran exemption may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit. Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred, but not cancelled, as long as the owner continues to own and live in the home. Interest continues to accrue at 5 percent per year on the unpaid taxes. You may obtain a deferral affidavit at the appraisal district.

   • Notice of Availability of Electronic Communication – In appraisal districts located in counties with a population of more than 200,000 or that have authorized electronic communications, and that have implemented a system that allows such communications, chief appraisers and ARBs may communicate electronically through email or other media with property owners or their designated representatives. Written agreements are required for notices and other documents to be delivered electronically instead of mailing.

    • Protesting Property Appraisal Values – Property owners who disagree with the appraisal district’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal district’s ARB.

    • Informal Meetings – Property can request an informal meeting with appraisal district staff to try and resolve their disputes prior to attending ARB hearings.

For more information about these programs, contact Angelina County Appraisal District at (936) 634-8456. Information is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/. 

CORONAVIRUS:  COVID-19

Angelina County Appraisal District (ACAD) is closely monitoring the current trends in the pandemic caused by COVID-19 and ACAD’s top priority is providing a safe environment for the property owners of Angelina County as well as ACAD staff.  While confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Angelina County seem to be on a declining trend, we understand there is still the necessity for personal safety and common precautions and there still exists the possibility of a resurgence.  Therefore, currently, ACAD is limiting building access and is open IN THE LOBBY ONLY.  Visitors are asked to comply with posted instructions and restrictions, and we are still available by phone, email, or fax.  We appreciate your cooperation and courtesy as we monitor this situation and comply with city, county, and state orders and continue to serve the taxpayers of Angelina County.

Thank you,

Tim Chambers

Homestead Exemptions

Comptroller’s Office Encourages Homeowners to Take Advantage of Homestead Exemptions

One of the easiest ways a homeowner can lower his or her property tax bill is to file a homestead exemption. A homestead is generally the house and land used as the owner’s principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year.

Homestead exemptions reduce the appraised value of your home and, as a result, lower your property taxes. To apply for an exemption on your residence homestead, contact the Angelina County Appraisal District.

Available homestead exemptions include:

  • School taxes: All homeowners may receive a $40,000 homestead exemption for school taxes.

  • County taxes: If a county collects a special tax for farm-to-market roads or flood control, a homeowner may receive a $3,000 homestead exemption for this tax.

  • Age and disability exemptions: Individuals 65 or older or disabled as defined by law may qualify for a $10,000 homestead exemption for school taxes, in addition to the $40,000 exemption available to all homeowners. Also, any taxing unit may offer a local optional exemption of at least $3,000 for taxpayers age 65 or older and/or disabled. Older or disabled homeowners do not need to own their homes on Jan. 1 to qualify for the $10,000 homestead exemption. They qualify as soon as they turn age 65 or become disabled.

  • Taxing units may offer a local option exemption based on a percentage of a home's appraised value. Any taxing unit can exempt up to 20 percent of the value of each qualified homestead. No matter what percentage of value the taxing unit adopts, the dollar value of the exemption must be at least $5,000.

  • Partial exemption for disabled veterans: Texas law provides partial exemptions for any property owned by disabled veterans, surviving spouses and surviving children of deceased disabled veterans. This includes homesteads donated to disabled veterans by charitable organizations at no cost or not more than 50 percent of the good faith estimate of the homestead’s market value to the disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The percentage of service-connected disability determines the exemption amount.

  • 100 Percent Residence Homestead Exemption for Disabled Veterans: A disabled veteran awarded 100 percent disability compensation due to a serviceconnected disability and a rating of 100 percent disabled or of individual unemployability from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of the veteran's residence homestead. Surviving spouses of veterans who qualified for this exemption or who would have qualified for this exemption if it had been in effect at the time of the veteran’s death are also eligible with certain restrictions. The residence homestead application must be filed if this exemption is claimed.

  • Surviving Spouses of Members of the U.S. Armed Services Killed in the Lined of Duty: The surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. armed services who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty is allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption on his or her residence homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the armed services member.

  • Surviving Spouses of First Responders Killed in the Line of Duty: The eligible surviving spouse of a first responder killed in the line of duty is allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption on his or her residence homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the first responder.

For more details on homestead exemptions, contact the Angelina County Appraisal District at (936)634-8456. The homestead exemption application is available online at comptroller.texas.gov/ forms/50-114.pdf.

*This amount is subject to an election in May 2022 regarding a constitutional amendment proposed in Senate Joint Resolution 2.

Disabled Veterans Exemptions

Disabled Veterans May Qualify to Have Some or All of Their Property Taxes Waived

Veterans with a service-connected disability are encouraged to file an exemption application form to have their property taxes lowered. Some veterans may even qualify
for a 100 percent exemption of their taxes.

Texas law provides partial exemptions for any property owned by disabled veterans or surviving spouses and surviving children of deceased disabled veterans. An applicant
may claim an exemption on only one piece of property the applicant owned on Jan. 1.  The applicant must be a Texas resident to qualify for a homestead exemption.

The other partial exemption is for homesteads donated to disabled veterans by charitable organizations at no cost or not more than 50 percent of the good faith estimate of the homestead’s market value to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.

The exemption amount is determined according to the percentage of service-connected disability.

A disabled veteran awarded 100 percent disability compensation due to a serviceconnected disability and a rating of 100 percent disabled or individual unemployability from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the appraised value of the veteran’s residence homestead. Surviving spouses of veterans who qualified for this exemption or who would have qualified for this exemption if it had been in effect at the time of the veteran’s death are also eligible with certain restrictions.

The surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. armed services who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty is allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption on his or her
residence homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the armed services member.

Any eligible person who has not previously received an exemption should file an
exemption application by April 30.

For more information about property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses or to file an exemption, contact the Angelina County Appraisal District at
(936)634-8456. More information is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Non-Profits and Some Business Exemptions

Non-Profits and Some Businesses Face April 30 Deadline to File for Property Tax Exemptions

Non-profit organizations that qualify under Texas law to receive property tax exemptions must apply to the Angelina County Appraisal District by April 30.

The April 30 deadline also applies to businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units; ship inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption; store certain goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days; construct, install or acquire pollution control property; own and operate energy storage systems; convert landfill-generated gas; or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use. If the last day for the performance of an act is a Saturday, Sunday or legal state or national holiday, the act is timely if performed on the next regular business day.

The non-profit organizations that are eligible for property tax exemptions include but are not limited to: certain charitable organizations, youth development organizations, religious organizations, non-profit private schools, cemeteries and veterans’ organizations. If a non-profit organization meets property tax exemption qualifications, the exemption can be approved immediately after the organization buys or acquires new property during the year.

Non-profit organizations must reapply if the property changes owners; if their qualifications for exemption change; or if they acquire new property. In most cases, after non-profit organizations are granted a property tax exemption, they do not have to reapply annually unless the chief appraiser asks them to file again.

For more information about property tax exemptions that are available to businesses and non-profit organizations contact Angelina County Appraisal District at (936)634-8456 before April 30. Details are also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/. 
 

Property Owners Can Protest Property Appraisal Values

Property Owners Can Protest Property Appraisal Values

Property owners who disagree with the Angelina Counthy Appraisal District’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal district’s Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

A property owner must file a written notice of protest before May 15 or within 30 days after the appraisal district delivers the property owner’s notice of appraised value, whichever is later. The ARB will begin hearing taxpayer protests during the middle of June each year.  Hearings will conclude prior to the deadline for approval of the appraisal roll by the ARB on July 20th.

After the ARB completes its hearings and approves final property tax appraisals, taxing units will use these appraisals to set property tax rates.

The ARB is a group of citizens who live in the appraisal district and are appointed by the local district administrative judge. Property owners may protest any of the following issues to the ARB:

    • the appraised or market value of the property;

    • unequal appraisal of the owner’s property;

    • inclusion of the property on the appraisal records;

    • denial of a partial exemption, such as a homestead exemption;

    • denial of special appraisal, such as agricultural or timber productivity appraisal;

    • determination that agricultural or timberland has had a change of use and is subject to a rollback tax;

    • identification of the taxing unit or taxing units in which the property is located;

    • determination that the taxpayer is the owner of the property; or

    • any other action of the appraisal district office or ARB that adversely affects the owner.

The ARB schedules a hearing and sends the protesting property owner written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The law contains specific timelines and procedures for both the property owner and the ARB throughout the appraisal protest process, as detailed in the Comptroller’s publication, Property Taxpayer Remedies.

Copies are available from Angelina County Appraisal District at 418 N. Second St, Lufkin, TX. The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Deferred Property Tax Payments

Deferred Property Tax Payments

Texans may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit at the Angelina County Appraisal District office if they are:

    • age 65 or older;

    • disabled as defined by law

    • qualified disabled veterans, their unmarried surviving spouses, or their unmarried children under age 18, if no surviving spouse; or

    • unmarried surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed on active duty and their unmarried children under age 18.

Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred — but not cancelled — as long as the owner continues to own and live in the home. Taxes accumulate with 5 percent interest per year. The law extends the tax deferral to the surviving spouse of the person who deferred taxes on the homestead if the surviving spouse was at least 55 years old when the deceased spouse died.

A filed tax deferral affidavit keeps homeowners from losing their homesteads because of delinquent property taxes. A pending sale to foreclose on the homestead’s tax lien will also cease as a result of filing a tax deferral affidavit. In addition, no taxing unit can start or continue a lawsuit to collect delinquent taxes once an affidavit is filed. There are no penalties on delinquent taxes during the deferral period; however, a tax deferral does not cancel penalties that were already due.

All deferred taxes and interest become due when the homeowner or surviving spouse no longer own and live in the home. If the tax debt remains unpaid at that time, penalties may be imposed and taxing units may take legal action to collect the past due amount.

For further details about property tax deferral, contact Angelina County Appraisal District at (936) 634-8456. Information is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Homestead Deferral on Appreciating Values

Homeowners Have Payment Options for Property Taxes on Appreciating Home Values  

Texas homeowners may postpone paying the current property taxes due on the appreciating value of their homes by taking advantage of a payment option called “Deferred Collection of Taxes on Appreciating residence homestead (Tax Code 33.064).

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Form 50-274 allows tax relief by allowing homeowners to pay the property taxes on 105 percent of the preceding year’s appraised value of their homestead, plus the taxes on any new improvements to the homestead. The remaining taxes are postponed - but not cancelled - with interest accruing at 8 percent per year.

Once the homeowner files the tax deferral affidavit with the appraisal district, no taxing unit can start or continue a lawsuit for the deferred taxes as long as that person owns and lives in the home and the taxes on the 105 percent are paid. When the homeowner no longer owns or lives in the home, the deferred taxes and interest become due. If the taxes are not paid, taxing units can than sue to collect the deferred taxes and interest. Additional penalties are possible.

For complete details about deferring taxes on the appreciating value of your home. contact the Angelina County Appraisal District at 936-634-8456. The Property Tax Assistance Division of the Comptroller’s office can also answer your question at 1-800-252-9121 or visit the Comptroller’s website at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/
 

Consumer Alert

Consumer Alert
Angelina CAD warns homeowners to be wary of Homestead designation and Deed processing solicitations

The appraisal district is regularly contacted by homeowners who have unnecessarily paid money to solicitors who for a fee offer to file designation of homestead and or homestead exemption forms in Angelina and other counties.
There is absolutely no charge for a homeowner to file his or her own homestead exemption application with the appraisal district, and application forms are available both on CAD’s website and from the district’s office at  418 N Second st at no charge.

As for Deed processing solicitations, you may get a copy of your deed from the County Clerk’s office for a nominal fee.

Business Personal Property Renditions

Angelina County Appraisal District Reminds Businesses to Render their Taxable Property by April 15

If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce income, you must file a rendition with the Angelina County Appraisal District by April 15.

A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable property you owned or controlled on Jan. 1 of this year. Property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property, such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.

“The appraisal district may use the information submitted in the rendition to set property values,” said Tim Chambers.

You can also file a report of decreased value to notify the appraisal district of significant depreciation of your property. “For example, if your property was damaged by a storm, flood or fire last year, you should file a report of decreased value. The appraisal district will look at your property before assigning a value,” said Chambers.

For most property types, renditions must be filed after Jan. 1 and no later than April 15. Different deadlines apply in certain appraisal districts. A property owner may apply, in writing, for a mandatory extension to May 15.

Different deadlines apply for regulated properties.

A 10 percent to 50 percent penalty may be imposed if a rendition is filed late, incomplete or not at all. Property owners who need more time to file their renditions may file a written request with the chief appraiser on or before the rendition deadline to receive an automatic extension. The chief appraiser may extend the deadline another 15 days for good cause shown in writing by the property owner for each type of property.

More information can be found at the following link under the heading "Business Personal Property":

http://www.angelinacad.org/forms

Or by contacting the appraisal district at (936) 634-8456.

Information is also available from the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.