Removed By Request.

14.3 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

New home owner property tax question- We plan to call HCAD but before I do I wanted to hear from you guys because you all are always a source of good info and advice- just to educate myself a little. Here's the deal-My sister (lives out of state) purchased a home for my great nephew here and it is in his name. He will make house payments to her and not a mortgage company therefore he's responsible for the tax payment himself. For some reason the homestead exemption didn't get filed at time of purchase (May) so he said HCAD told him he had to pay the total amount now but will get a refund once the exception is approved. Since the taxes are for the year 2025 does he owe for the entire year even if he didn't move in until May? Wouldn't the previous owner be responsible for the portion of the year they owned the home? The appraised amount is a great deal higher than what he paid for the house. Is HCAD reasonable during a protest at agreeing to value at the sold price or is that arbitrary ? If he is successful protesting does he get a refund for the difference on his 2025 tax payment? Thanks for reading and responding . Its been a long time since I purchased a home.

teatime : For 2025 taxes, the settlement statement with the seller should have taken into account the property tax through the closing date (seller is responsible for January 1st to closing date). So the great nephew should have gotten a credit on the settlement statement for the amount of estimated taxes from January 1 to closing.

He is responsible for the full payment of 2025 taxes - and the taxes should reflect the homestead exemption for full year 2025, unless the seller did not claim homestead on the house. If the seller did not, then your great nephew is out of luck for 2025, but should apply for 2026 before May 1st.

Skippy, Texasdad and LittleTexas + 1 more reacted

Reply

2.3 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

We sold a home in November 2021. We were responsible for eleven months of taxes . The money was paid at closing.

Lulu45, Texasdad and buffaloglenn reacted

Reply

13.3 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

teatime :
Mom just purchased a home in August for Dad and his caretakers. The previous owners were responsible for the taxes until the day she closed. I take care of their bills. When I didn't receive a bill, I called them and they were very helpful and answered all of my questions. The gal even stayed on the line with me to talk me through paying with card on their website.

buffaloglenn and teatime reacted

Reply

15.4 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

In addition to this advice, I would suggest your great nephew protests the appraisal every year. It's a crapshoot on how sympathetic the appraiser and/or panel is from year to year, but I always get some decrease.

southernmama5, Texasdad and Letstalk + 1 more reacted

Reply

12.7 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

Since the taxes are for the year 2025 does he owe for the entire year even if he didn't move in until May?

teatime :

Whoever's name the house is in on Jan 1st owes the taxes...If the home is sold midway through the year, the old owner usually pays the new owner directly for the taxes for months they still owned the house..Those taxes will be due by the new owner on Jan 1st of the next year as the house will be in his/her name....This is something done by the two parties at closing, not by HCAD as HCAD only considers the owner of the property on Jan 1st as the person responsible for the taxes...

As for the Homestead exemption....Last I read was it used to be you had to file before a certain date but now you can file at any time and they'll credit your taxes for up to 2 years back if you qualified then but failed to claim the exemption...Just make sure you file the exemption for those years too...Once you file for the exemption, you don't have to file again, you have it until the house is no longer in your name....

Reply

8.4 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

re: appraisal protest. A few years ago bought a house that was listed for a larger amount on the tax rolls. Told them what I paid, and sent copy of contract and cancelled check. They lowered appraisal to what I actually paid. Did not even have to argue with them.

Reply

13.1 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

New home owner property tax question- We plan to call HCAD but before I do I wanted to hear from you guys because you all are always a source of good info and advice- just to educate myself a little. Here's the deal-My sister (lives out of state) purchased a home for my great nephew here and it is in his name. He will make house payments to her and not a mortgage company therefore he's responsible for the tax payment himself. For some reason the homestead exemption didn't get filed at time of purchase (May) so he said HCAD told him he had to pay the total amount now but will get a refund once the exception is approved. Since the taxes are for the year 2025 does he owe for the entire year even if he didn't move in until May? Wouldn't the previous owner be responsible for the portion of the year they owned the home? The appraised amount is a great deal higher than what he paid for the house. Is HCAD reasonable during a protest at agreeing to value at the sold price or is that arbitrary ? If he is successful protesting does he get a refund for the difference on his 2025 tax payment? Thanks for reading and responding . Its been a long time since I purchased a home.

teatime : You have gotten some good advice. I'm happy you are here to help your great nephew.

Lulu45 reacted

Reply

8.7 yrs
~ 8 mos ago

teatime - if the current appraised value is higher then what he paid, he needs to protest the taxes and show him his settlement paperwork. At least for this year they'll lower the taxes based on what he paid - they'll go up next year, he just needs to continue to protest. There are actually companies who will do all the work for you. But for this year, protest and show the settlement and what he paid since it is lower then the current tax "appraised value"

Reply