Texas House Bill HB1913

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the waiver of penalties and interest on certain delinquent ad valorem taxes.

Impact

The bill introduces new provisions that allow a governing body of a taxing unit to waive delinquent penalties when the tax delinquency results from various specified misunderstandings or administrative errors, such as omitted properties or mistakenly exempted properties. This change is expected to relieve some financial burdens on property owners, particularly in cases where their liability is tied to historical ownership issues. By broadening the criteria for waivers, the bill could lead to increased compliance among taxpayers who might otherwise be discouraged by accrued penalties.

Summary

House Bill 1913 aims to provide property owners with a mechanism to request the waiver of penalties and interest on certain delinquent ad valorem taxes. This is particularly applicable to cases where the property owner may have acquired the property but has outstanding tax obligations tied to previous ownership. The bill seeks to amend existing tax code sections to outline specific conditions under which such waivers can be granted, emphasizing the importance of written requests within stipulated deadlines.

Contention

Although the intent of HB 1913 appears aimed at enhancing taxpayer rights and easing financial burdens, some concerns may arise around the administrative responsibilities this places on taxing units. Questions about the potential for abuse or misinterpretation of the waiver clauses might be raised by stakeholders concerned with tax revenue stability. Furthermore, discussions may emerge regarding the balance between providing relief to property owners and ensuring that taxing entities can still fulfill their financial obligations based on anticipated tax revenue.