Here's What You Need to Know About Property Tax Loans in Texas
Property taxes often arrive at a time when you can least afford it - and it can easily seem like you could lose your home or business premises as a result. Here is some important information about property tax loans in Texas, including residential and commercial property tax loans, so that you can make an informed decision about your financial interests.
Property Taxes in Texas are Amongst the Highest in the USA
With the 6th highest property taxes in the country at an average of 1.83% of a property’s value, it’s not surprising that home and commercial property owners are feeling a lot of pressure. For a median-priced home of $151,500, property tax will be around $2,775. For commercial properties, the tax rate is calculated as an amount per $1,000 of the property’s assessment value, which amounts to around $24.21 per $1,000 – a cost that is even higher than the tax on homes.
The average property tax rate on commercial properties by county are:
- Kendall County: 1.426%
- Galveston County: 1.925%
- Travis County: 1.973%
- Tarrant County: 2.321%
- Dallas County: 2.173%
One way that commercial property taxes are made more affordable is through a property tax abatement – an agreement between a company and the local government to provide a partial tax exemption in return for improvements to the property. This is governed by Chapter 312 of the Tax Code.
The Penalties for Delinquency Are Also High
These taxes are set by the local government and used to fund public education, infrastructure, and community safety and healthcare programs, so the government is very strict about collecting these taxes on time. As there is no state income tax and reasonable sales tax for Texas, this is their main way of collecting revenue. This has resulted in severe penalties for non-payment that may amount to around 43% of the value of your tax bill in addition to the original amount.
Property Valuations Aren’t Always Accurate
Valuation assessments of residential and commercial properties aren’t always accurate, leading to people paying higher tax bills than they should. For example, income generated by a commercial property can be included in the valuation of the property, leading to very different valuations and property tax bills for very similar properties because of the difference in each business’s profitability. This means that something that has essentially nothing to do with the value of the building itself is being used to justify a higher property tax. Another issue is that the people on Appraisal Review Boards who oversee reviewing property valuations are often lacking in the residential and commercial real estate knowledge and the expertise needed to properly value a property.
Property Tax Loans to Cover Residential and Commercial Property Taxes
American Finance & Investment Company, Inc is a professional provider of residential and commercial property tax loans in Texas. Our company was developed to provide affordable assistance to homeowners and commercial property owners struggling to deal with the state’s high property taxes and penalties. We’ll help you get back on your feet, covering your penalty fees, interest and even your expenses relating to court cases, helping you improve your financial situation without the risk of facing foreclosure. For more information on our services or to get assistance today, please visit our home page at AFIC.CO
