The Comptroller’s Property Tax Division offers free seminars

There are serious and growing concerns about rising property taxes. Understanding the new laws enacted by the 78^th Legislature is a beginning.

The State Comptroller’s Office, Property Tax Division, is offering a series of seminars in cities across the state to review the recent legislative changes enacted by the 78^th Legislature and the laws that taxing units must follow when adopting their 2003 property tax rates.

According to the current schedule, seminars close to the Cooke-Grayson-Fannin-Collin – Lamer-Hunt area are planned in Wichita Falls, sponsored by the Red River Chapter of the Texas Association of Assessing Officers, on July 31^st, and in Richardson on August 6^th.

The morning session will include explanations of how to calculate the effective and rollback tax rates, what to publish, when to call a tax rate rollback election, and any law changes required in adopting tax rates for 2003. The afternoon session will address new laws in all areas of property taxation. The seminars will be of interest and open to elected and appointed officials, tax assessor-collectors, business officers, chief appraisers, and taxpayers.

Continuing education units from the Board of Tax Professional Examiners, the Board of Certified Public Accountants, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation credits are available to individuals attending the seminars. CEU credit toward standards for duties as school board members is also offered.

The one day seminars are scheduled from 9am-4pm and are free of charge. A schedule of locations and dates, in addition to contact information regarding inquiries to schedule a seminar is available at:

http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/stmt/stmt0305/stmt0305_4.html.

There are no scheduled seminars in Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Collin, Lamar, or Hunt counties, at this time. Those interested in hosting a meeting should contact James Archer, PTD’s Administration Area Manager, by e-mail at james.archer@cpa.state.tx.us or by phone at 1-800-252-9121, extension 5-9808.

For any questions about the seminars or locations, call the PTD’s Technical Assistance hotline at 1-800-252-9121, extension 2. In Austin, call 512/305-9999.

A House Committee is reviewing the school tax Robin Hood structure. The Comptroller has been notified by the Committee of their request for a list of considerations for alternatives. The next scheduled meeting is July 15^th. In an attempt to lower the burden on property owners, the Committee has been looking at taxation of businesses. Considerations included a loophole concern in the franchise tax, property taxes for businesses and a state income tax were among the alternatives considered last week to restructure the school finance system. Governor Perry has indicated that he will be calling another Special Session in late fall or early spring for the consideration of these issues and other concerns.