Despite coronavirus, quarterly property tax bills still are due in Texas
Quarterly Tarrant County property tax bills must still be paid on time during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tax Assessor Collector Wendy Burgess said her office has received a number of requests for property tax relief as COVID-19, and stay at home orders to prevent its spread, has led to a number of businesses having to temporarily close their doors.
Burgess said the tax office can work with taxpayers on payment options such as partial payments and payment tax installment agreements.
“Unfortunately, the Tax Assessor-Collector has no authority in the law to waive amounts due or change due dates,” a statement by Burgess read. “Changes in the law can only be accomplished by the Texas Legislature or by Executive Order of the Governor.”
But she said she has reached out to local lawmakers, passing on “taxpayer requests for relief that we have received with an appeal that they be forwarded to the governor.”
Burgess said she hopes Texas Gov. Greg Abbott could include property tax assistance in his emergency orders related to coronavirus.
Texans over 65 and those with disability exemptions are allowed quarterly payments, if their first payment was made by Jan. 31. The second payment of the year was due Tuesday.
Burgess said her office has been flooded with questions related to taxes and the effect of coronavirus.
“My staff and I have been working diligently to answer the thousands of questions we have received due to the pandemic,” she said. “I ask that the public will be patient while we respond using limited resources.”
The Tarrant tax office temporarily suspended in person transactions earlier this month because of coronavirus. Payments may still be made online, on the phone or through the mail.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 2:36 PM.
