Texas House Bill HB3824

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the calculation of the penalty imposed on a delinquent ad valorem tax.

Impact

This change is aimed at clarifying the penalties for delinquency in ad valorem tax payments and potentially providing relief to taxpayers who may be struggling to meet deadlines. The impact of HB3824 falls specifically on how penalties are calculated and applied, which can lead to significant adjustments in revenue collected by local jurisdictions through these taxes. The bill is designed to simplify the penalty structure and ensure that taxpayers are aware of the consequences of delayed payments.

Summary

House Bill 3824 addresses the calculation of penalties imposed on delinquent ad valorem taxes in Texas. The bill specifies a structure for penalties that increases over time, allowing a penalty of six percent for the first month of delinquency, followed by an additional one percent for each subsequent month until April 1 of the year the tax becomes delinquent. In cases where the tax remains unpaid by April 1, a cumulative penalty of eight percent is applied regardless of the actual duration of delinquency. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the penalty for those who utilize a split-payment option will incur a penalty of eight percent if the second payment is not made by July 1.

Contention

While no significant points of contention are reported in the limited discussions and voting history surrounding HB3824, the implications of tax penalties are always a matter of concern among constituents. Issues likely could arise around the fairness of increased penalties and whether this structure disproportionately affects lower-income taxpayers who may struggle to pay taxes on time. Additionally, discussions could center on whether this change adequately balances local government revenue needs against the financial realities faced by residents.