Hays County Property Tax Trends documents that Hays County Appraisal District has experienced rubust growth in market value. The number of tax parcels has increased about 25%. These robust increases in assessed values have resulted in Hays County residents to protest at well below the statewide average. Hays County residents appeal 18% of the accounts versus the statewide average of 10%. This site has details on number of tax protests, appraisal review board members, budget, number of appraiser total market value, total taxes levied, value by type of property, number of judicial appeals, number of appraisal district staff, appraisal district budget and much more.
The market value of Hays County taxable property rose from $16 billion in 2014 to $26 billion in 2018. This is a 62.5% increase over 5 years; 12.5% per year. This is much higher than inflation for property tax purposes. These increases are part of the impetus for Senate Bill 2, which caps taxes for school at 2.5% and cities / counties at 3.5% per year for existing property, plus the value of new construction.
Property tax savings from protest hearings at Hays County Appraisal District (HCAD) have risen from $9 million in 2015 to $18 million in 2018. Commercial accounts were reduced $11 million in 2018 versus residential accounts for $3 million. There are more residential accounts protested but the commercial accounts receive a large portion of appeal reductions. Their value is also much higher. The ratio of tax savings at the administrative hearings is 21% single family and 79% commercial. This ratio is low for single-family.
The number of tax protests in Hays Appraisal District has more than doubled from 2014 to 2018; from 8,680 in 2014 to 18,330 in 2018, a 111% increase. However, the number as a % of total accounts is high at 18% versus a state average of 10%. However, taxpayers should be targeting appealing 30 to 50% of accounts annually to avoid excessive taxation. Spread the word to your friends and coworkers to appeal their property taxes. The property tax appeal is routine obligation of the owner, like changing the oil in a car, or having the HVAC checked annually. If the tax assessment is not watched routinely, it will become a problem.
This increase is a good start and we want to keep the momentum growing. Hays County Appraisal District 2018 property tax protests include 9,080 residential and 9,250 commercial accounts. Residential accounts for 50% of the appeals but for 21% of the savings ($3 million out of $14 million in 2018). It would be healthy to see more property tax protests in Hays County.
Judicial appeals in Hays County have ranged from 3 to 42 during 2014 to 2018. The number appears had been stable at 3 to 15, but spiked to 42 in 2018. Property tax savings in Hays County due to judicial appeals have been modest given the size of the county. Most appeals are resolved without trial. Judicial appeal tax savings were under $100,000 annually from 2014 to 2018.
The Hays County Appraisal District budget rose from $2.52 million in 2012 to $3.13 million in 2018, a 24% increase over 7 years. This average 3.4 annual increase in HCAD budget is below than the average rate of increase in appraisal district budgets.
The Hays County Appraisal Review Board has had 3 to 5 members during 2012 to 2018.
The number of appraisers has increased from 8 in 2014 to 18 in 2018.
2020 property tax deadline is May 15th; deadlines to protest are not extended due to Covid-19.
VisitHays County Property Tax Trends to learn more.
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