“Productivity appraisal” may lower the property taxes on your farm, ranch or timber land!

Texas law allows farmers, ranchers and timber growers to pay property taxes based upon the “production value” of their land rather than on market value. This “productivity appraisal” means qualified land is taxed based on its ability to produce crops, livestock or timber – not on its value on the real estate market. And it can mean substantial property tax savings.

When is the application deadline?

If your land has never had a productivity appraisal or you are a new owner, you must apply to your local appraisal district by April 30 to take advantage of this benefit on your 2004 property taxes. You may get up to 60 extra days if you have a good reason and ask for it by April 30. If you miss this deadline, you may still be able to apply, but you will pay a penalty. Check with your appraisal district office.

Do you need to reapply annually?

If your land already receives agricultural or timber productivity appraisal, you normally don’t need to reapply unless the chief appraiser requires you to do so. If a new application is required, the appraisal district will notify you by mail. If the land changes ownership of any kind, the productivity appraisal will automatically come off of the account and the new owner will have to apply.

For more information, call or come by:

Shelby County Appraisal District

724 Shelbyville Street

Center, Texas 75935

(936) 598-6171

We’ll be happy to answer your questions and provide you a free copy of

“Texas Property Taxes: Taxpayers’

Rights, Remedies & Responsibilities”

or contact:

Texas Comptroller’s Property Tax Division

P.O. Box 13528

Austin, Texas 78711-3528

or call:

1-800-252-9121