Taxes
Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials say
Read full article: Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials sayTexas Republicans have been trying to reduce the state’s high property taxes for years, but some acknowledge eliminating them would be too expensive.
Houston tax preparer admits to falsifying returns, resulting in over $100K in losses
Read full article: Houston tax preparer admits to falsifying returns, resulting in over $100K in lossesCourt records claim Guevara admitted to placing $26,857 in fake business losses that resulted in a tax loss to the U.S. of $13,390 on that return. He took responsibility for $123,458 in losses to the IRS and will be paying that back as restitution.
Texas Republicans have tried to rein in property taxes for five years. Has it worked?
Read full article: Texas Republicans have tried to rein in property taxes for five years. Has it worked?Texas has spent billions of dollars to drive down property taxes. Many homeowners saw a significant tax cut last year, per a Texas Tribune analysis.
Texans get their first crack at electing the people overseeing the state’s complicated property appraisal process
Read full article: Texans get their first crack at electing the people overseeing the state’s complicated property appraisal processIn the state’s larger counties, voters can now elect people to the agencies that appraise property values.
TODAY: Deadline for Houston Childcare centers to apply for 100% property tax exemption ends at 5 p.m.
Read full article: TODAY: Deadline for Houston Childcare centers to apply for 100% property tax exemption ends at 5 p.m.Many childcare centers struggled to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now Harris County is hoping to give those centers some much-needed relief.
IRS office to frustrated Houston taxpayers: We’re not staying open late
Read full article: IRS office to frustrated Houston taxpayers: We’re not staying open lateThe Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly Saturday, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of last-minute help with their taxes... stranded.
H&R Block resolves issue that briefly prevented desktop software users from e-filing tax returns
Read full article: H&R Block resolves issue that briefly prevented desktop software users from e-filing tax returnsH&R Block has addressed that it’s experiencing an issue that has prevented some desktop software users from e-filing their tax returns on Monday.
IRS leaves hundreds of last-minute filers stranded at Texas office
Read full article: IRS leaves hundreds of last-minute filers stranded at Texas officeThe Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly Saturday, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of last-minute help with their taxes... stranded.
Houston IRS building reopens after stranding hundreds 2 days before Tax Day
Read full article: Houston IRS building reopens after stranding hundreds 2 days before Tax DayThe Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly Saturday, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of last-minute help with their taxes... stranded.
Houstonians concerned after IRS building closes unexpectedly days before Tax Day
Read full article: Houstonians concerned after IRS building closes unexpectedly days before Tax DayMonday is Tax Day and today, the Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of help with their taxes stranded.
Humble couple charged $17,000 to file taxes. Here’s how it happened
Read full article: Humble couple charged $17,000 to file taxes. Here’s how it happened🔍 Check out this shocking tax filing story! A humble couple paid $17,000 to file their taxes, only to discover they allegedly owed $30,000 to the IRS. 😱 How did this happen? #TaxFiling #IRS #ScamAlert
Humble couple paid $17,000 to file taxes after they allegedly owed $30,000; how did it happen?
Read full article: Humble couple paid $17,000 to file taxes after they allegedly owed $30,000; how did it happen?The Penas claim Tax Doctors, LLC’s assessment found the Humble couple owed the IRS $30,000. Their tax preparer told them they would receive up to $20,000 in refund but must first pay the company $17,000 to file.
‘I learned my lesson’: Colorado man loses $2K by same ghost tax preparer that also left Houston residents empty-handed
Read full article: ‘I learned my lesson’: Colorado man loses $2K by same ghost tax preparer that also left Houston residents empty-handedA man from Denver, Colorado reached out to KPRC 2 after his friend shared one of our reports on two Houston-area women out thousands of dollars after trying to complete their taxes.
Texans have expanded tax filing choices with the introduction of Direct File
Read full article: Texans have expanded tax filing choices with the introduction of Direct FileAs tax season reaches its peak, taxpayers in Texas and 11 other states have a new, hassle-free option to file their taxes: Direct File.
‘It’s been a mess’: Ghost tax preparer leaves Houston residents empty-handed
Read full article: ‘It’s been a mess’: Ghost tax preparer leaves Houston residents empty-handed🚨 Scammed by Tax Preparer Alert! 🚨Two Houston families share their harrowing experience of being scammed by a tax preparer. They lost thousands of dollars after hiring someone who vanished after taking their payment. 😱 #TaxPreparerScam #Beware #StayAlert #TaxSeasonWarnings
Texas launches new property tax incentive program to lure new businesses
Read full article: Texas launches new property tax incentive program to lure new businessesThe Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program cuts property taxes for new manufacturing, research and development facilities. It replaces a shuttered program criticized for its impact on school finance.
Tax season: 6 things to know before hiring tax help
Read full article: Tax season: 6 things to know before hiring tax helpThis tax season get ready for surprises that could impact your budget. You can’t count on last year’s popular tax breaks and there’s no stimulus money headed your way. Learn what to expect and what you should know about getting help.
Here’s how much Houston area homeowners are saving on tax bills
Read full article: Here’s how much Houston area homeowners are saving on tax billsHave you checked out your property tax bill this year? Texas homeowners are noticing big savings thanks to legislation passed by lawmakers and voters. Investigator Amy Davis explains what to look for on your bill.
‘I was surprised’: Houston-area homeowners react to new property tax-cut law
Read full article: ‘I was surprised’: Houston-area homeowners react to new property tax-cut lawTexas lawmakers passed and voters approved several property tax bills last year. Those bills will be due at the end of the month, and it will save some hundreds of dollars.
Why Shohei Ohtani’s heavily-deferred contract could be model pro athletes ask for going forward
Read full article: Why Shohei Ohtani’s heavily-deferred contract could be model pro athletes ask for going forwardOhtani has decided to defer $680 million of the contract until after his playing days are over, meaning he’ll take in roughly $2 million of salary each year for the duration of the contract that will run through 2033.
Texas homeowners and businesses will get a tax cut after voters approve Proposition 4
Read full article: Texas homeowners and businesses will get a tax cut after voters approve Proposition 4The $18 billion property tax-cut package is aimed squarely at lowering school district property taxes, which make up the lion’s share of a Texas landowner’s property tax bill.
Texas voters gave retired teachers raises and approved new infrastructure funds as most constitutional amendments passed
Read full article: Texas voters gave retired teachers raises and approved new infrastructure funds as most constitutional amendments passedVoters approved a massive property tax cut and several other measures, but refused to raise the mandatory retirement age for judges.
Texas proposition lets voters decide whether to cut property taxes for homeowners and businesses
Read full article: Texas proposition lets voters decide whether to cut property taxes for homeowners and businessesProposition 4 could usher in a bevy of property tax changes. That includes using $12.7 billion from a record state budget surplus to lower school district taxes.
Fort Bend voters will decide on tax rate that will generate $35M for pay raises and security officers at schools
Read full article: Fort Bend voters will decide on tax rate that will generate $35M for pay raises and security officers at schoolsThe Fort Bend Independent School District is one of the highest achieving districts, but school officials say the starting pay for teachers is the lowest in the area.
How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districts
Read full article: How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districtsFor decades, the Texas comptroller’s office has double-checked property valuations across the state, which help determine how much school districts can levy in property taxes. But when state and county appraisers disagree, districts can end up with big holes in their budgets.
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens string of vetoes if lawmakers can’t agree on property tax cuts
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott threatens string of vetoes if lawmakers can’t agree on property tax cutsWith several hundred bills awaiting action by the governor, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the veto threat an affront to Texans and the legislative process.
Billions in property tax cuts need Texas voters’ approval before taking effect. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: Billions in property tax cuts need Texas voters’ approval before taking effect. Here’s what you need to know.Legislation passed this month would raise the state’s homestead exemption to $100,000, lower schools’ tax rates and put an appraisal cap on residential and commercial properties, among other measures. But voters must approve a constitutional amendment first.
IRS aims to go paperless by 2025 as part of its campaign to conquer mountains of paperwork
Read full article: IRS aims to go paperless by 2025 as part of its campaign to conquer mountains of paperworkMost taxpayers will be able to digitally submit a slew of tax documents and other communications to the IRS next filing season and the agency plans to go completely paperless in 2025.