04/05/2016 Businesses Must Report Taxable Property By April 15

Harris County Appraisal District News Release

For additional information contact Jack Barnett, Communications Officer, 713-957-5663

April 5, 2016

Businesses Must Report Taxable Property By April 15

Houston — If you own a business and have tangible personal property used to
produce income such as office equipment or inventory, you must report that property to the
Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) by April 15.
HCAD is reminding all business owners that they must report personal property to the
appraisal district by filing a rendition listing the property. Personal property is tangible
property that can be owned, but it does not include land or other structures attached to the
land such as buildings or fences. Examples of personal property include computers, desks,
chairs, office supplies, business inventory, machinery and vehicles used to produce
income, along with other items used in the business.
A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable property the business owner owned or
controlled on January 1 of this year that was used in or for the business. Property includes
inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt
property, such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.
Business owners do not have to render if they believe the total value of their personal
property is less than $500.

Some renditions may be filed electronically using HCAD’s iFileTM system. If a
unique iFileTM number is printed on the rendition form below the account number, the
owner may render online by going to www.hcad.org and clicking “iFile A Rendition.” If
no iFileTM number is printed on the rendition form, the owner will need to complete and
file the form manually.

“The appraisal district may use the information submitted in the rendition to set
property values,” said Sands Stiefer, chief appraiser. “Property owners can also file a
report of decreased value to notify the appraisal district of significant depreciation of the
property.”

For example, if the property was damaged by a storm, flood or fire last year, the
owner should file a report of decreased value. The appraisal district then will look at the
property before assigning a value in 2016, Stiefer said.
The last day to file a rendition or report of decreased value is April 15. If a rendition
is not filed, filed late or not complete, a 10 percent penalty may be imposed. Filing a
fraudulent rendition carries a 50 percent penalty if found guilty.
Property owners who need more time to file their renditions may file a written request
with the chief appraiser on or before April 15 to receive an automatic extension to May 15
or the next business day. The chief appraiser may also grant an additional 15 days after the
postponed deadline, if necessary.

To help business owners complete the required personal property rendition forms
before the April 15 filing deadline, the appraisal district is offering free workshops.
Rendition workshops have been scheduled throughout the county. Participants can
attend at any time during the scheduled hours and typically will be able to complete the
process in about an hour. There is no charge to attend.

The remaining workshops will be conducted at the following locations:
• Saturday, April 9 8 a.m. to Noon
HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston – 6th floor
• Wednesday, April 13 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston – 6th floor
Those who attend will be able to consult individually with appraisal district staff who
will explain personal property taxation and rendition requirements and will answer
questions about completion of the rendition forms.

The appraisal district has already mailed personal property rendition forms to
businesses known to have been operating in Harris County during 2015. However, all
business owners are required to file renditions whether or not they have received
notification. A rendition form is available on the appraisal district’s website at
www.hcad.org under the “Forms” tab along with information on the rules of the process.
Business owners with questions about the rendition requirements are encouraged to
attend any of the workshop sessions or call the appraisal district’s Information Center at
713.957.7800.

For more information about rendering property, deadline extensions, penalties and
rendition forms, taxpayers may call the appraisal district’s Information Center at
713.957.7800.

About HCAD
The Harris County Appraisal District is a political subdivision of the State of Texas
established in 1980 for the purpose of discovering and appraising property for ad valorem
tax purposes for each taxing unit within the boundaries of the district. The district has
more than 1.7 million parcels of property to assess each year with a total market value of
approximately $526 billion. The appraisal district in Harris County is the largest in Texas,
serving approximately 500 taxing units, and one of the largest appraisal districts in the
United States. For further information, visit www.hcad.org.