BELL COUNTY, Texas — Bell County homeowners who had damage from the storms this spring may qualify for property tax relief, but are running out of time to take advantage of the exemption.
The deadline to apply for the temporary exemption is Sept. 9, 2024. Bell County Chief Appraiser Billy White said that is a hard deadline and there will be no extensions.
"If you think you possibly qualify or think you have sustained a good amount of damage to your property, at least 15 percent or close to it, definitely go to our website," White said. "It takes you to the application. Fill it out, give us all the documents you have and send it in and get it in before the ninth."
The documents the Tax Appraisal District needs for your application are photographs of physical damage, repair estimates, insurance claims and/or receipts. These items will be necessary to support your application.
"That's the best way for us to know how much damage it was, how much the insurance is paying for it and how much they paid to fix it so far, or estimates to fix it," White explained.
This temporary exemption is possible through Texas legislation. White told 6 News that anytime the Governor declares a state of disaster in the area, they are required to offer the exemption. This specific exemption can be applied to all properties, including residential, commercial and business personal property.
Only those who have physical damage totaling at least 15 percent of the 2024 improvement market value will qualify. Damages to trees and landscaping aren't eligible for the exemption.
"They do have to have a fairly substantial amount of damage to their home to qualify, but obviously this took a lot of houses and properties, so I would assume a lot would qualify," White said. "I think last I checked we have about 140 that have applied for it, so I'm hoping, you know, when you put this out there, that some more that would possibly qualify will actually apply for it because the deadline is coming soon."
White said the Bell County tax bill typically comes out in late September, so when applications for the storm damage exemption get processed will affect if residents' bill reflects it when they receive it.
White acknowledged the extent of the damage and how long it can take to rebuild after a storm like Bell County saw in May 2024, that's why he said they will have to double check come the new year when they start the process for next year's assessments.
"Every year we reappraise properties and these ones specifically that actually applied for it in those areas, we'll probably specifically look to see what has been rebuilt and what hasn't," White explained. "It's really whatever the status of those properties are on Jan. 1."
Applications can be found online at www.bellcad.org/storms and emailed with all supporting documentation to customerservice@bellcad.org, or mailed to the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County PO Box 390 Belton, TX 76513.