HOWARD CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT NEWS RELEASE
2023 Appraisal value notices are scheduled to be mailed on May 1st
Howard County taxpayers could see an average 24% increase.
Notices will soon be mailed to property owners whose value increased from 2022 to 2023. While many owners feel the values of property have decreased, the data throughout Texas does not support a decrease. There was an average increase across the state of 15%-30%. Unfortunately, the Appraisal District must keep pace with the increases in order for local schools to receive full funding and to comply with equal and uniform taxation.
Property owners should review their notice of value. This year, the notice focuses on value and will not include tax estimates. A postcard will be mailed to you with website information in August, that will give you the exact amount of tax you will pay and meeting dates and times of local tax units so you will know when they are setting their tax rates.
When a property owner looks at the value proposed by the appraisal district, they should ask themselves if their property would likely sell for that amount. If not, they should file a protest on the form that will be enclosed. The deadline for filing is 30 days from the date of the notice mailing. They will receive a call from the local appraisal district to discuss the value informally or they may be scheduled for an in-person meeting. If the taxpayer is not agreeable after the sharing of data between the appraisal district and them, then they have a right to appeal to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), a group of local citizens who live in the appraisal district and have been appointed by the local Appraisal District Board of Directors. They will listen to the evidence provided by both parties and decide based on the preponderance of the evidence presented. The taxpayer may appeal the findings of the ARB to District Court or arbitration.
The issues that may be protested include:
The ARB schedules a hearing and sends the protesting property owner written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The law contains specific timelines and procedures for both the property owner and the ARB through the appraisal protest process. Copies are available from Howard County Appraisal District at 315 S. Main St. Suite A, Big Spring, Texas, on our website at www.howardcad.org or from the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division website at comptroller.texas.gov/property-tax/. Additional local information can be obtained by contacting HCAD at 432-263-8301.
Within this site you will find general information about the District and the ad valorem property tax system in Texas, as well as information regarding specific properties within the district. Howard Central Appraisal District is responsible for appraising all real and business personal property within Howard County. The district appraises property according to the Texas Property Tax Code and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP).
Howard Central Appraisal District is responsible for the fair market appraisal of properties within each of the following taxing entities. Additional responsibilities include change of address and public information requests.
Thanks for visiting with us and we hope you’ll find all the information you need right here on the site, but please don’t hesitate to email, call or come by – we’re here to help!
Some property owners will be receiving a letter from the Howard Central Appraisal District requesting a current application for 1-D-1 (Open Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal.
The Appraisal District is in the process of updating its records and needs to obtain the most current information on these properties in order to be in compliance with State requirements regarding these forms. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause our property owners and would like to insure everyone that the Appraisal District staff will be available to assist with questions or concerns regarding the reapplication process. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at (432) 263-8301 or come by 315 Main St, Big Spring, TX 79720. It is our goal to make this process as simple as possible for those property owners affected by this request.
Avoid this SCAM
If you’ve gotten a letter recently telling you about a great opportunity to declare your property as a homestead and receive a tax exemption, it’s time to read the fine print. If you ever receive letters or documents that appear to be from legitimate businesses, but you’re concerned they sound too good to be true, don’t hesitate to use all the resources at your disposal to verify their authenticity. Howard Central Appraisal District office can also help you to avoid scams related to home and property taxes.
In recent months, residents in Howard County have reported receiving letters from a company that prepares homestead forms to get a property designated a homestead in exchange for a fee. Unfortunately, a homestead designation is NOT the same thing as a homestead exemption. Homestead designation is a form submitted in order to declare a property a homestead for the public record. This can protect a home from forced sale, but it’s not legally necessary to have your property designated a homestead in the public record in order to receive a homestead tax exemption. You can receive help to apply for exemptions free of charge from your local Howard Central Appraisal District.
County Taxing Entities: |
| Howard County |
| Borden Independent School District |
| Sands Independent School District |
| Big Spring Independent School District |
| Coahoma Independent School District |
| Forsan Independent School District |
| Stanton Independent School District |
| City of Coahoma |
| City of Forsan |
| City of Big Spring |
| Howard County Junior College District |
| Permian Basin Water Conservation District |
Courteously And Respectfully Serve
The Public And It’s Entities
By Providing An Equal And Uniform
Appraisal Roll In An Accurate
And Timely Manner
While Preserving And Ensuring The
Rights Of Property Owners
