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Pay property taxes by Dec. 31 to receive 2008 deduction
From the Harris County Tax Office
Want to pay your 2008 property taxes by Dec. 31 to get an income tax deduction? Haven’t gotten a tax bill yet? Then, this message is for you. No news from the Tax Office this time of year is not good news.
Do you have a tax bill but can’t pay all of it by Dec. 31 of this year? Then, this message is for you, too.
No one enjoys being a Grinch. The tax office wants homeowners to get their property tax deductions for 2008 on their 2008 federal taxes.
Even if you are one of the relatively few who have not yet gotten a 2008 property tax bill, you can get that deduction without a tax bill.
Call 713-368-2100 and a member of the tax office staff can provide an estimate of your 2008 property tax bill.
The tax office accepts partial payment of property taxes. Taxpayers may use any combination of credit cards (including Visa credit or debit cards) or e-checks for payment online at www.hctax.net and by touch-tone telephone with a credit card by calling 713-368-2273.
Cash or check payments are also taken over the counter downtown or at any of the 15 branch offices throughout Harris County. Hours of operation are 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you use the mail, you must mail your payment in time to get a postmark of Dec. 31 or earlier. Postage meter dates don’t count. If you find you are pushing the deadline, go to www.hctax.net and pay there.
However you pay and whatever you pay, you’ll get a receipt for it and can claim that amount as a deduction on your federal income tax.
More good news: If you wish, you can pay your 2008 property taxes without penalty in January 2009 and claim the deduction on your 2009 income taxes.
Still more good news: No penalty is due on your county taxes until Feb. 1. The only reason to hurry or worry is the timing of your income tax deduction.
Why don’t you have your bill from the tax office?
Maybe you should not get one. If your taxes on your home are paid through an escrow account, your mortgage company gets the bill, not you.
If you are supposed to get a bill, several things make the mailing date variable.
First, the Harris County Appraisal District cannot certify the appraisal roll until 95 percent of the dollar value of the roll has been certified.
In a practical sense, this means that appraisal protests of high-dollar accounts are handled first so the 95 percent level is reached sooner, allowing some bills to be mailed. The time that the 95 percent level is attained can vary by days or even weeks, depending on the number and complexity of protests.
Through Dec. 15, more than 938,000 tax bills have been mailed. More than 57,000 additional bills should be out before Christmas. Another 112,000 accounts are not yet certified.
For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions about property taxes, visit www.hctax.net or call 713-368-2100.
Want to pay your 2008 property taxes by Dec. 31 to get an income tax deduction? Haven’t gotten a tax bill yet? Then, this message is for you. No news from the Tax Office this time of year is not good news.
Do you have a tax bill but can’t pay all of it by Dec. 31 of this year? Then, this message is for you, too.
No one enjoys being a Grinch. The tax office wants homeowners to get their property tax deductions for 2008 on their 2008 federal taxes.
Even if you are one of the relatively few who have not yet gotten a 2008 property tax bill, you can get that deduction without a tax bill.
Call 713-368-2100 and a member of the tax office staff can provide an estimate of your 2008 property tax bill.
The tax office accepts partial payment of property taxes. Taxpayers may use any combination of credit cards (including Visa credit or debit cards) or e-checks for payment online at www.hctax.net and by touch-tone telephone with a credit card by calling 713-368-2273.
Cash or check payments are also taken over the counter downtown or at any of the 15 branch offices throughout Harris County. Hours of operation are 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you use the mail, you must mail your payment in time to get a postmark of Dec. 31 or earlier. Postage meter dates don’t count. If you find you are pushing the deadline, go to www.hctax.net and pay there.
However you pay and whatever you pay, you’ll get a receipt for it and can claim that amount as a deduction on your federal income tax.
More good news: If you wish, you can pay your 2008 property taxes without penalty in January 2009 and claim the deduction on your 2009 income taxes.
Still more good news: No penalty is due on your county taxes until Feb. 1. The only reason to hurry or worry is the timing of your income tax deduction.
Why don’t you have your bill from the tax office?
Maybe you should not get one. If your taxes on your home are paid through an escrow account, your mortgage company gets the bill, not you.
If you are supposed to get a bill, several things make the mailing date variable.
First, the Harris County Appraisal District cannot certify the appraisal roll until 95 percent of the dollar value of the roll has been certified.
In a practical sense, this means that appraisal protests of high-dollar accounts are handled first so the 95 percent level is reached sooner, allowing some bills to be mailed. The time that the 95 percent level is attained can vary by days or even weeks, depending on the number and complexity of protests.
Through Dec. 15, more than 938,000 tax bills have been mailed. More than 57,000 additional bills should be out before Christmas. Another 112,000 accounts are not yet certified.
For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions about property taxes, visit www.hctax.net or call 713-368-2100.
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