Best Tax Attorneys in Houston

FAQs

• Where does the Tax Court hold trial sessions closest to Houston, Texas?

  For residents in Houston, the Tax Court holds trial sessions in Room 7006, Casey U.S. Courthouse, 515 Rusk Street, Houston, TX 77002.

• Where is the low-income taxpayer clinic that is closest to Houston, Texas?

  The low-income taxpayer clinics in Houston are the Houston Volunteer Lawyers LITC with phone number 713-228-0735; the Lone Star Legal Aid LITC with phone numbers 800-733-8394 and 713-652-0077; and the South Texas College of Law LITC with phone numbers 800-646-1253 and 713-646-2922.

• What is the sales and use tax rate in Houston?

  The sales and use tax rate in Texas is 6.25%. However, a local taxing jurisdiction such as Houston and other cities, special-purpose districts, transit authorities, and counties may impose an additional 2%, which amounts to a maximum total rate of 8.25%. Houston imposes this additional tax. Residents are required to pay both local and state taxes.

• Is there an estate and gift tax in Houston?

  Residents in Houston need not worry about state taxes on gifts and estates because Texas does not impose them. However, federal taxes on these exist, and every estate should pay them. Some other states impose estate taxes, so a property you own in a different state may be subject to a state estate tax.

• What are the four local taxing entities that operate in Texas and may affect Houston?

  The four Texas taxing entities that may affect Houston are the cities (including the incorporated villages and towns), counties, transit authorities, and special purpose districts. Different types of entities may share or cross boundaries, but the total local sales tax cannot be higher than 2%. State taxing jurisdiction boundaries do not follow United States zip codes. Many cities share zip codes, and many of these have areas that are both outside and inside a taxing jurisdiction.

• Until when can Houston property tax bills be paid without interest or penalty?

  Payments for property taxes in Houston will have no interest or penalty if paid on or before January 31. An exception to this is if the date happens to be a weekend or a Harris County holiday, in which case the deadline becomes the first business day of February. The extension applies to the USPS postmark date, contract carrier receipt marks, tax office online portal, and telephone payment transaction dates.

• Where do Houston residents pay their property taxes?

  Houston residents pay their property taxes at any branch location throughout the county by check or cash. Checks are made payable to the tax assessor-collector Ann Harris Bennett. If possible, the coupon from the tax statement should be enclosed with the payment. Phone and online property tax payments through e-checks or credit cards are accepted as well. Below is the mailing address for check payments: Ann Harris Bennett Tax Assessor-Collector P.O. Box 3547 Houston, TX 77253-3547.