LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 28, 2013 TO: Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1597 by Gonzalez, Naomi (Relating to installment agreements for the payment of delinquent ad valorem taxes.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This bill would amend Section 33.02 of the Tax Code, regarding property taxation and delinquency, to require a collector for a taxing unit, on request by a person delinquent in the payment of the tax on a residence homestead, to enter into an agreement with the person for payment of the tax, penalties, and interest in installments if the person has not entered into an installment agreement with the collector for the taxing unit in the preceding 24 months. The installment plan must provide for equal monthly installments over at least a 12 month period. A penalty does not accrue on the unpaid balance during the agreement period if the property is a residence homestead. The bill would amend Section 32.06 of the Tax Code, regarding property taxation, tax liens and personal liability, to provide that not later than the 12th day before the date a homestead owner files with the collector a sworn document and information for a property tax loan, a property tax lender must deliver a notice to the property owner containing a specified statement regarding the taxpayer contacting the taxing unit about the possible right to enter into an installment agreement for payment of taxes. The bill would amend Section 33.04 of this code to require a collector to provide notice of this right in the notice of delinquency. The bill would amend Chapter 51 of the Property Code, regarding provisions generally applicable to liens, to provide that a debtor is not in default on real property used as the debtor's residence if the debtor is in substantial compliance with an installment agreement with a taxing unit and has given notice of the agreement to the mortgage servicer. The bill's proposed notification requirements and forgiveness of delinquent tax penalties for homestead owners who have agreed to an installment plan would result in some costs for units of local government. The bill's proposed installment payment plan could, on the other hand, make it feasible for some homestead owners to pay property taxes that they would otherwise be unable to pay. The net fiscal impact would not be significant. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2013. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: UP, KK, SD, SJS LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 28, 2013 TO: Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1597 by Gonzalez, Naomi (Relating to installment agreements for the payment of delinquent ad valorem taxes.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1597 by Gonzalez, Naomi (Relating to installment agreements for the payment of delinquent ad valorem taxes.), As Introduced Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB1597 by Gonzalez, Naomi (Relating to installment agreements for the payment of delinquent ad valorem taxes.), As Introduced HB1597 by Gonzalez, Naomi (Relating to installment agreements for the payment of delinquent ad valorem taxes.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This bill would amend Section 33.02 of the Tax Code, regarding property taxation and delinquency, to require a collector for a taxing unit, on request by a person delinquent in the payment of the tax on a residence homestead, to enter into an agreement with the person for payment of the tax, penalties, and interest in installments if the person has not entered into an installment agreement with the collector for the taxing unit in the preceding 24 months. The installment plan must provide for equal monthly installments over at least a 12 month period. A penalty does not accrue on the unpaid balance during the agreement period if the property is a residence homestead. The bill would amend Section 32.06 of the Tax Code, regarding property taxation, tax liens and personal liability, to provide that not later than the 12th day before the date a homestead owner files with the collector a sworn document and information for a property tax loan, a property tax lender must deliver a notice to the property owner containing a specified statement regarding the taxpayer contacting the taxing unit about the possible right to enter into an installment agreement for payment of taxes. The bill would amend Section 33.04 of this code to require a collector to provide notice of this right in the notice of delinquency. The bill would amend Chapter 51 of the Property Code, regarding provisions generally applicable to liens, to provide that a debtor is not in default on real property used as the debtor's residence if the debtor is in substantial compliance with an installment agreement with a taxing unit and has given notice of the agreement to the mortgage servicer. The bill's proposed notification requirements and forgiveness of delinquent tax penalties for homestead owners who have agreed to an installment plan would result in some costs for units of local government. The bill's proposed installment payment plan could, on the other hand, make it feasible for some homestead owners to pay property taxes that they would otherwise be unable to pay. The net fiscal impact would not be significant. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2013. This bill would amend Section 33.02 of the Tax Code, regarding property taxation and delinquency, to require a collector for a taxing unit, on request by a person delinquent in the payment of the tax on a residence homestead, to enter into an agreement with the person for payment of the tax, penalties, and interest in installments if the person has not entered into an installment agreement with the collector for the taxing unit in the preceding 24 months. The installment plan must provide for equal monthly installments over at least a 12 month period. A penalty does not accrue on the unpaid balance during the agreement period if the property is a residence homestead. The bill would amend Section 32.06 of the Tax Code, regarding property taxation, tax liens and personal liability, to provide that not later than the 12th day before the date a homestead owner files with the collector a sworn document and information for a property tax loan, a property tax lender must deliver a notice to the property owner containing a specified statement regarding the taxpayer contacting the taxing unit about the possible right to enter into an installment agreement for payment of taxes. The bill would amend Section 33.04 of this code to require a collector to provide notice of this right in the notice of delinquency. The bill would amend Chapter 51 of the Property Code, regarding provisions generally applicable to liens, to provide that a debtor is not in default on real property used as the debtor's residence if the debtor is in substantial compliance with an installment agreement with a taxing unit and has given notice of the agreement to the mortgage servicer. The bill's proposed notification requirements and forgiveness of delinquent tax penalties for homestead owners who have agreed to an installment plan would result in some costs for units of local government. The bill's proposed installment payment plan could, on the other hand, make it feasible for some homestead owners to pay property taxes that they would otherwise be unable to pay. The net fiscal impact would not be significant. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2013. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: UP, KK, SD, SJS UP, KK, SD, SJS