Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Property tax relief has been one of the Senates top priorities said Lt. Governor Dan Patrick today after the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1760
(SB 1760) by Senator Brandon Creighton. SB 1760 delivers true tax
relief for Texas homeowners by placing a downward pressure on the oppressive growth of property taxes through transparency.
SB 1760 will require the following:
- It removes the requirement that taxpayers due a refund have to apply for it.
- It provides interest rate uniformity for taxpayers by increasing the interest rate on refunds due to taxpayers to 9.5.
- Requires local taxing entities (applies to school districts and all other taxing jurisdictions) to justify the necessity of a tax increase on notices and election ballots.
- Allows a court hearing an appraisal dispute to give preference to the testimony of an independent licensed appraiser.
- Requires the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to compile and annually publish a ranked list of tax rates by entity; deterring tax rate increases.
Finally amendment by Senator Paul Bettencourt requires a local government that wishes to exceed the effective tax rate to first have a vote of at least 60 of the governing body in support of the tax increase.
SB 1760 levels the playing field for Texas taxpayers said Sen. Creighton.
Standing strong for taxpayer rights was a promise I made to the citizens of Senate District 4; and I am thankful my Senate colleagues voted to pass this landmark legislation.
Sen. Creightons bill gives homeowners the ability to hold local government accountable for the demands they place on taxpayers concluded Patrick.
SB 1760 is another step in an overall plan to reduce property taxes for homeowners and businesses. In March the Senate passed with bipartisan support to double the homestead exemption for homeowners to over $30000 a year. I applaud the Senators for making sure homeowners across the state receive the tax relief Texans deserve.
