Taxes

The tax rate is usually adopted in September and tax bills are mailed by the Hidalgo County Tax Office.  Property owners have from November 1 to January 31 of the next year to pay taxes without penalty and interest. Taxes become delinquent on February 1 and a 7% penalty and interest charge is assessed. The penalty and interest increases to 9% in March, 11% in April, 13% in May and 15% in June.  On July 1st all delinquent accounts are referred to our delinquent tax attorneys for appropriate legal action and an additional 15% collection fee is charged.

POINTS OF INTEREST:
On real property (land and buildings), the current owner can be held accountable for any unpaid taxes even for years before he/she bought the property.  The new owner is liable for the entire year’s tax, even if that person bought the property during the year and had the tax prorated with the seller at the time of closing.
The tax collector does not have any legal authority to forgive the penalty and interest charge on unpaid taxes.  These charges are set by statue and can only be waived after approval by the governing body if an act or omission of an officer, employee, or agent of the taxing unit or the appraisal district caused the account to become delinquent.
The Hidalgo County Appraisal District is a separate local agency and is not part of the city tax office.  The appraisal district decides what property is to be taxed, its appraised value and whether to grant exemptions.  The appraisal district also determines the ownership of property and their address.  This information is then certified through an appraisal roll and forwarded to the city tax office.

EXEMPTIONS:
The Board of Commissioners has adopted an ordinance that will essentially freeze the taxes for qualified home owners that are 65 years of age and/or are disabled.
The City of Alamo has adopted two local options.  One grants a $5,000 exemption to anyone who has been certified as disabled.  The other $5,000 is for residents sixty-five years of age.  In order to qualify for either of these exemptions, the property must be the owner’s primary homestead.  According to state law, if a property owner is both disabled and over 65 years of age, only one exemption is allowed.
The disabled veteran exemption is mandated by the State of Texas and the amount of exemption is based on the disability rating.  Disability rating of not less than 10 but not more than 30 percent is a $5,000 exemption.  Disability rating of more than 30 but not more than 50 percent is $7,5000.  Disability rating of more than 50 but not more than 70 percent $10,000.  Disability rating of more than 70 percent; or a veteran who has a disability rating of not less than 10 percent and is age 65 or older; or a disabled veteran whose disability consists of the loss or loss of use on one or more limbs, total blindness in one or both eyes or paraplegia is $12,000.