File for tax exemptions by April 30

Special to the Times-Review

April 10, 2008 04:44 pm

— Nonprofit organizations may qualify for a total exemption from property taxes, but they must apply for the exemption by April 30, said Jim Hudspeth, chief appraiser of the Johnson County Appraisal District.
The April 30 deadline also applies to businesses receiving tax abatements with taxing units and to businesses that acquired pollution control property.
Property tax exemptions are available to nonprofit charitable, youth development, religious organizations, nonprofit private schools, cemeteries, veterans’ organizations, historical and archeological sites and other organizations. Requirements vary for different types of organizations as set out in the Texas Constitution and the Property Tax Code. Cemeteries, charitable organizations, youth development associations, religious organizations and other nonprofit organizations may receive a property tax exemption immediately upon buying or acquiring a property during the year and meeting the exemption qualifications.
Hudspeth noted that cemeteries, charitable organizations, youth development organizations, religious organizations and nonprofit private schools, once granted tax exemptions, do not have to reapply for the exemption each year unless the chief appraiser asks them to file again. However, they also must reapply if their exempt property changes ownership, if their qualifications for exemption change or if they acquire new property. The law requires annual application for all other types of exempt organizations.
Property owners who own mineral property or business personal property worth less than $500 are exempt from property taxes on those properties. No application is required for exempting these small accounts valued at less than $500. A property owner’s mineral property accounts are added together to determine if the total value in each taxing unit is less than $500 and exempt. If the total value in any taxing unit exceeds $500, then the property is taxable.
The same process is used for adding together a property owner’s business personal property accounts by taxing unit to determine if the properties are exempt from property taxes.
“If a nonprofit organization or a business with tax abatements, freeport goods or pollution control property has any questions about tax exemption, it should contact the appraisal district office before April 30,” Hudspeth said.
For information, visit the Central Appraisal District of Johnson County, 109 N. Main St. in Cleburne, during office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, or call the office at 817-648-3000.