Austin Real Estate Taxes.

Real Estate Taxes in Austin, Texas.

• Real property taxes vary in the Austin area according to the taxing jurisdictions in each location.
• Generally rates total between 2.4% and 3.3% of the appraised value.
• Each year, on January 1, the County Appraisal District sets a value for each property for the current year. This valuation is sent to you in April.
• You have a certain time to file a protest. If no protest is filed, this value will stand.
• Tax rates are set in September, and bills are sent out in October.
  
  Here are some local tax links:
• Travis County Appraisal District
• Travis County Tax Office
• Williamson County Appraisal District
• Hays County Appraisal District
• Tax Remedy, Inc. - Property Tax protest service
• Jeff Bullard - 512-476-2277 - Property tax protest service

File for your homestead exemption.

• After you have closed on your home and have lived in it on January 1 of the following year, you become eligible for a "homestead exemption".
• You must file for this exemption by sending in a form to the Appraisal District.
• This will entitle you to a reduction in property tax for as long as you live in the home.
• It does not apply to any other real estate that you may own.
• On a $100,000 valuation you would save about $300 per year.
• Since 1997, Texas homeowners have enjoyed a 10% cap on annual tax increases of their homestead property.
• Each year the Appraisal District will set a "market value" of your home, plus a "taxable value." The taxable value cannot increase by more than 10% under your ownership.
• Other exemptions include the "over 65," "disabled homeowner" and "disabled veteran."
• You can see that it is important to send in your homestead form, so that you get both the tax reduction and start the 10% cap.

A MUD is a Municipal Utility District.

• Municipal Utility Districts are quasi-governmental bodies created under state laws to provide utility service.
• They are typically created by real estate developers to provide water and wastewater to developments when city utilities are not available.
• The districts issue municipal bonds and have taxing authority to raise money to repay the bonds.
• If you select a home within a Municipal Utility District, you will receive a disclosure form, stating the bond amounts, tax rate and stand-by fees for lots.