City Council voted Thursday to raise the property tax exemption for homeowners who are 65 years and older and those with a disability. The move is an attempt to further curtail the amount of money residents pay taxes on. Homeowners who qualify can keep $154,000 off the value of their home that gets taxed by […]
property tax exemptions
Generally, discounts on homeowners’ property tax bills. This can refer to elective such elective status as historic discounts and the broad discount offered by Travis County and other entities for a property owner’s homestead. That exemption, called the Homestead Exemption, is offered for homeowners who occupy the home in question.
Posted inBudget
County increases homestead exemptions for 65 and up
On June 29, the Travis County Commissioners Court discussed and passed a proposal to increase homestead exemptions for qualifying homes. The item was a follow-up to the previous week’s discussion in which the Planning and Budget Office had recommended to increase homestead exemptions from $85,000 to $100,000 for the 65-and-up age group, as well as […]
Posted inCity Council
Council to increase homestead exemptions, tax rate ceiling
City Council plans to vote this week on three items affecting Austinites’ property taxes. Two measures would give homeowners modest property tax relief through increased homestead exemption rates. The third measure would effectively set a higher maximum property tax rate, allowing the city more flexibility as it decides what rate to set in August. All […]
Posted inAustin
City’s efforts to educate seniors about reducing property tax delayed
The city of Austin has been working on finding ways to educate seniors about opportunities to reduce their property tax. The city is also developing a volunteer program that would allow seniors to offset a portion of the tax. But the pandemic and the severe winter weather in mid-February slowed down the effort. A 2019 City […]
Posted inBudget
Split Commissioners Court endorses higher exemption for some homeowners
The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday took a preliminary step toward enlarging the property tax exemption for homeowning residents over the age of 65 or living with a disability. The court voted 3-2 to direct Planning and Budget Office staff to begin preparing next year’s budget based on the assumption that the exemption will […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Travis County talks appraisals, city business
In a discussion on state legislative proposals aimed at increasing fairness in property tax appraisals for homeowners, several Travis County commissioners called out City of Austin leaders for not implementing a 20 percent homestead exemption for property taxes. Commissioner Gerald Daugherty said that while the proposed citywide exemption “was an easy deal to run on,” […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Transportation
Northwest candidates talk transportation, affordability
Urban planning, pod transportation and green energy peppered Tuesday’s debate among City Council candidates vying to represent District 6 in Northwest Austin. All six candidates attended the forum, hosted by the Austin Monitor KUT News, KXAN and Univision at the Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, off U.S. 183. Jimmy Flannigan, 36, owns Site Street, an online marketing […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Homestead exemption could leave $36 million budget hole to fill
A homestead tax exemption as a percentage of appraised value on homeowners could potentially blow a $36 million hole in the next city budget, though it would also put close to $200 back in most taxpayers’ pockets, according to a briefing Tuesday at the Austin City Council’s weekly work session. The city Financial Department’s analysis […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Adler files for mayor, cites proposal for homestead tax exemption
Attorney Steve Adler announced a proposal for a sweeping change in the city’s property tax system Monday as he filed the documents necessary to get a place on the ballot for the mayoral election in November. Standing before a small crowd of supporters outside the city clerk’s office, Adler said, “This is a great city […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs raising tax break for seniors, disabled to $70,000
For the first time in decades, the Austin City Council has raised the property tax exemption for homeowners who are disabled or 65 years or older. The Council voted 5-2 to raise the property tax exemption from $51,000 to $70,000. Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Bill Spelman voted in opposition to the change, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council set to discuss hike for seniors’ tax exemption, may put off action
Two, and possibly three, Austin City Council members appear willing to postpone approval of an increase in the property tax exemption for Austin residents who are 65 and older. The item is currently set for action as part of Council’s today’s agenda. Council Member Mike Martinez, who was careful to give his staff credit […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council to delay discussion of expanding city’s over-65 tax break
Austin City Council members are set to delay discussion of expanding the tax break for city residents who are 65 and over until March 20. According to Council Member Bill Spelman, the delay comes at the request of Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who will miss today’s meeting. Meanwhile, city staff offered answers to a September […]