People whose homes and businesses damaged in the 60 Texas counties that were declared disaster areas following Harvey have the option to pay their 2017 and 2018 property taxes in installments -- rather than a lump sum that is due before Feb. 1, 2018:
The state Lieutenant Governor's Office issued the following statement:
“The Texas Tax Code 31.032 allows homeowners and small businesses that were damaged in the hurricane and are in a declared disaster area to pay their property taxes in four installments instead of one lump sum without penalty or interest. All single family homes, even if not an official homestead, and other residential property with no more than four units are eligible including small businesses with gross receipts of less than $5.7 million.:
The option will spread out what is owed over several months and eliminate penalties and interest.
Residents in counties that have been declared disaster areas must take the following steps in order to pay their property taxes in installments:
--By Jan. 31, pay 25 percent of your property tax bill and inform your local taxing unit that you intend to pay the balance in installments.
--March 31 – the second 25 percent payment is due.
--May 31 – the third 25 percent payment is due
--July 31 – the final 25 percent payment is due.
Eligible residents can pay both 2017 and 2018 property tax in installments.