CS for SB 1324 - Taxation Summary

• Requires property appraisers to give owners 30 days to pay back taxes, penalties, and interest before filing a tax lien for improper nonhomestead residential property assessment limitations or residential and nonresidential property assessment limitations.

• Exempts property owners from penalties and interest when assessment limitations are improperly granted due to clerical mistakes or omissions by the property appraiser.

• Authorizes property appraisers to contract third-party services to examine and audit homestead tax exemptions, with compensation consisting of a portion of collected back taxes and penalties, and allows appraisers to retain collected interest.

• Requires contractors performing homestead exemption audits to provide written notice to taxpayers, obtain appraiser approval before contact, and prohibits impersonation of officials, threatening communications, and public disclosure of personal information.

• Changes homestead exemption lien procedures so appraisers must file tax liens for unpaid amounts 30 days after notice and removes requirements to record liens in multiple counties.