Harris County Appraisal District

HCAD To Change Name

The Harris County Appraisal District will change its name to the Harris Central Appraisal District effective January 1. The board of directors voted at the August meeting to change the name to replace “County” with “Central” in the district’s name.  Other than the name, there will be no changes. “The district has been working since that August 17 board meeting to change all the forms, email, letterhead and signage so that it would be completed […]

HCAD Mailing Homestead Exemption Confirmations

Homeowners with a homestead exemption should expect to soon receive a postcard from the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) in their mailbox verifying they have an exemption on their property. The appraisal district is mailing a confirmation postcard to all homeowners with a homestead exemption currently on file.  Exemptions include Residence Homestead, Over-65, Disabled Person Exemptions, Disabled Veteran Exemptions, Over-55 Surviving Spouse Exemptions and Surviving Spouse Exemptions for spouses of members of the U.S. armed […]

Harris County Appraisal District Named A Top Houston Workplace

HCAD Recognized As Top Workplace 6 Years In A Row The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) has been selected as a Top Workplace in the Houston metropolitan area by the Houston Chronicle for the sixth consecutive year. “Being named a Top Workplace in the Houston area for the sixth year in a row is truly an honor,” said Roland Altinger chief appraiser.  “I believe this is noteworthy for the appraisal district because we have faced […]

Appraisal Review Board Seeks Applicants for Service In 2023

Applications for Appraisal Review Board (ARB) members are being accepted by District Judge Latosha Lewis Payne, administrative judge for the state district courts in Harris County and presiding judge of the 55th District Court. Service on the ARB would begin in January 2023.  Applications from Harris County citizens interested in ARB service must be submitted by the applicant directly to Judge Payne through the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) human resources division to be considered.  Applications […]

Businesses Must Report Taxable Property By April 15

If you own a business in Harris County and have tangible personal property used to produce income such as office equipment or inventory, you must report that property to the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) by April 15. HCAD is reminding all business owners that they must report personal property to the appraisal district by filing a rendition listing the property.  Personal property is tangible property that can be owned, but it does not include land […]

Harris County Appraisal District Sees Increasing Property Values

The Harris County Appraisal District is seeing increasing property values as it prepares the residential and commercial property value notices. “We are seeing most residential and commercial properties in Harris County increasing in value this year,” said Roland Altinger, chief appraiser.  “Value increases this year have been unprecedented.  In my almost 40 years in the real estate business, I have never, ever seen such large increases in market values.” Altinger explained that the appraisal district […]

HCAD Encourages Homeowners to Take Advantage of Homestead Exemptions

The Harris County Appraisal District is encouraging homeowners to make sure they have the homestead exemptions they are entitled to. “One of the easiest ways a homeowner can lower their property tax bill is to file a homestead exemption and apply for any other exemption they might be eligible for,” said Roland Altinger, chief appraiser. A homestead is generally the house and land used as the owner’s principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax […]

HCAD Offers Business Personal Property Rendition Help

The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) has begun the process of mailing personal property rendition forms to businesses known to have been operating in Harris County during 2021. The appraisal district will continue offering its free rendition workshop sessions to help business owners complete the required personal property rendition forms before the April 15 filing deadline.  This year the district will conduct eight workshops – four online virtual workshops and four in-person workshops at the appraisal […]

Agricultural Productivity Valuation Application Required

The Harris County Appraisal District is mailing agricultural applications to property owners in five school districts to verify those owners still qualify for agricultural or timber productivity valuations. The application packet will come by certified mail requiring a receipt signature. Property owners must complete and return the application and the HCAD Agricultural/Timber User Questionnaire by April 30 in order to requalify for the agricultural/timber valuation.  Separate applications must be filed for each account covered by […]

Homeowners Have Payment Options For Property Taxes On Appreciating Home Values

Texas homeowners may postpone paying the currently delinquent property taxes due on the appreciating value of their homes by taking advantage of a payment option called “residence homestead tax deferral” and filing a tax deferral affidavit at the Harris 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 […]