Since taking office in 2015, Governor Greg Abbott has worked with the Texas
Legislature to pass significant property tax reforms, including: Yet, many Texans have not felt the property tax relief because local taxing
authorities hiked their property taxes even more. Texas must do more to
provide property tax relief in the 89th Legislative Session to ensure Texans
can keep more of their hard-earned dollars. This session, Governor Abbott will
build off his significant property tax reforms to further secure property tax relief and stop local taxing authorities from raising property taxes without
voters’ approval. The Governor will work with the Texas Legislature to:
• Provided over $40 billion for property tax relief, including the largest property
tax cut of $18 billion last session
• Provided a tax rate compression framework for school district maintenance
& operation (M&O) tax rates
• Placed greater limitations on the amount of revenue cities, counties, and special districts can raise without Texans voting onit
• Enhanced transparency for property
taxpayers by making property tax information readily available and accessible
• Delivered meaningful relief to homeowners by enabling voters to
overwhelmingly approve increases to the homestead exemption, from $25,000 and $110,000 for Texas seniors
• Provided significant relief for all property types by cutting school district M&O tax rates by 10.7 cents
• Provided relief to small businesses by increasing the Business Personal Property exemption to $2,500
• Capped property value increases at 20% for properties up to $5 million
• Use at least $10 billion of the state’s budget surplus for property tax relief
• Speed-up tax rate compression to lower
school district M&O tax rates, providing relief for ALL property taxpayers
• Eliminate local taxing authorities’ loopholes by requiring two-thirds voter
approval for all tax increases
• Increase the business personal property tax exemption to $100,000 to support small businesses
• Require all local bond issues and tax rate elections be on the November ballot and approved by a two-thirds super majority of voters.
