MISSION
"My mission as your Tax Assessor-Collector is to perform my duties and responsibilities as provided for by the State Constitution. In short, these can be narrowly defined by consolidating them as follows: assessing and collecting property taxes, registering and licensing motor vehicles, and registration of voters. I vow that all these services be conducted with outstanding customer service. As such I welcome and seek feedback at anytime."

PROPERTY TAXES
Property taxes are local taxes. Local officials value your property, set your tax rates, and collect your taxes. State law governs how this process works.

There are four main parts to the property tax system. The appraisal district values property, administers exemptions, calculates tax ceilings and maintains current ownership information on the appraisal records. The appraisal review board is a panel made up of people from the local community. They are independent from the appraisal district. They settle any disagreements between the appraisal district and the property owner about the valuation of the property. The governing bodies of the taxing units, such as the city councils, school boards, or county commissioners decide the annual budgets and set the tax rates. This determines the total amount of taxes to be paid. The tax office calculates the levy, mails the statements, collects the taxes and distributes the tax revenue to the taxing units.

All property is taxable unless state or federal law exempts all or part of the value. Total exemptions may be granted for public properties or those owned by qualifying organizations such as churches, schools, or charitable organizations. Homestead, over sixty-five, and disabled veterans exemptions are examples of partial exemptions, which reduce the taxable value on qualifying property.

What a property is used for on January 1, market conditions at the time, and who owns the property on that date, determine whether the property is taxed, it's value, and who is responsible for paying the tax. A tax lien attaches to property on January 1 to secure payment of taxes for the year.

In order to pay your taxes online, you must first search for and find your property. Then you will have the option to "Pay by Check" or " Pay by Credit Card".

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE TAX CALENDAR
January 1
(Nueces County Appraisal District determines ownership and value for tax year)
A tax lien attaches to all taxable property on this date to secure payment of taxes imposed for the year. This lien is automatically extinguished by payment in full. January 1 is the effective date of the tax year, for example, if a business closes, moves or changes ownership after this date, it will be taxed for the entire year. Any new exemption for the year should be claimed at the Nueces County Appraisal District.

January 31
This is the last day to pay taxes before delinquency. The first payment on quarter payment plans for over sixty-five and disability homestead accounts is due on or before this date.

February 1
Penalty and interest charges begin to accrue on taxes for the preceding year. Penalty begins at 6% and increases monthly to a maximum of 12% in July. Interest begins to accrue at the rate of 1% per month until the account is paid in full.

March 31
This is the last day to make 2^ndpayment on a quarter payment plan.

April 1
Taxing units may allow early collection fees of 15% to 20% to be imposed on personal property accounts in order to defray collection cost.

April 15
Rendition statements on all personal property accounts must be filed with the Nueces County Appraisal District no later than April 15^th of each year. A penalty equal to 10% of the total amount of taxes will be imposed for the year against a person who fails to timely file a rendition statement.

April 30
This is the last day to file an exemption application at Nueces County Appraisal District.

May 31
This is the last day to file a protest with Nueces County Appraisal District.

June 30
This is the last day to make the 2^nd payment on the split payment option.

July 1
All delinquent accounts for the current year are turned over to the tax attorneys for collection. A collection penalty of 15% to 20% of the total unpaid balance is added to the current delinquent accounts.

July 25
The Chief Appraiser certifies the appraisal roll to the taxing units.

July 31
This is the last day to make final payment on a quarter payment plan.

September 25
This is the last day for taxing units to set the tax rate without a separate mailing.

September 30
All tax rates must be set by taxing units.

October 1
The current collection period begins.

MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE/REGISTRATION
The $5.00 fee for permanent disabled placard is now eliminated. Temporary disabled placard, however, remains $5.00.

A motor vehicle buyer is now required to transfer and register vehicle within 20 working days of purchase. Failure to do so, will subject applicant to late penalty fee: 21-31 days late, $25.00 fee; after 32^ndday, a $25.00 fee will be assessed for each additional 30 days or part of 30 day period.

Reminder: Texas law requires minimum auto insurance coverage of $25,000 per injured person in an accident; $50,000 for everyone injured in an accident; $25,000 for property damage.