This is How the Government Uses Your Property Taxes in Texas
Every year, property owners in Texas receive a bill from the government containing their property taxes, which are based on the estimated value of their property. Because our state’s taxes are among some of the highest in the country, it’s common for property owners to ask, “Where do my property taxes go?”. Here is some insight from AFIC, one of the leading property tax loan companies in Texas:
Your Property Taxes Stay in Your Community
Firstly, it is important to know that property taxes are set by your local government based on an estimation that takes into account the value of your building and its location in the community. As a result, they’re also used locally as directed by your local government to fund public services as a part of the Municipality Tax Revenue.
What Do Your Property Taxes Really Fund?
While your tax bill will list the main beneficiary of your property taxes, there’s not a lot of details of exactly how this money is used. So, our property tax solution team has created a more informative list of how these funds are utilized. Keep in mind that the exact percentages will vary from municipality to municipality depending on the allocations made by each different local government.
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Public Schools and Educational Facilities This usually takes up the largest percentage of the funds throughout the state of Texas. Taxpayers place a high value on access to quality education - it is part of the responsibility we have towards future generations. The availability of great schools means our kids will have a good chance of furthering their education and having successful careers, supporting good economic growth as a result. It’s also good for the community as a whole, as properties close to good schools will increase in value.
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Parks and Green Spaces Well-managed, safe green spaces offer a significant benefit to our communities in terms of entertainment and public health. It gives everyone a safe and enjoyable area in which to exercise, and many public parks have great kid’s play areas, sports fields, dog facilities, BBQ facilities, and spaces that can be reserved for private events. Your taxes go towards maintaining the parks, keeping them well-planted and clean, and community programs that take place in the park (sports and summer camps for kids, exercise classes, sports leagues, concerts, and festivals).
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Libraries and Community Education Libraries offer useful, free resources for everyone in your community, from borrowing facilities for books and DVDs to free community classes, study facilities, educational programs, and jobs programs.
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Additional Services There are many other community services and programs that are paid for in part by property taxes, including animal control, municipal pools, museums, waste removal, and even community mental health facilities.
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Road Safety, Repair, and Maintenance These taxes also fund a large portion of road maintenance, construction, and repair, as well as public transport facilities. They serve to keep the roads in a safe condition and free of debris, as well as paying for road lighting, traffic signs, traffic lights, and other safety and traffic control measures.
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Emergency Services Everyone from the fire department, ambulance services, and law enforcement are paid for in part by property taxes. This includes vehicles (the purchasing, maintenance, and repair thereof), salaries, call center costs, training, and infrastructure costs. It directly benefits everyone in the community, making it a safer place to be and ensuring rapid access to trained professional responders in the event of an emergency situation.
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Local Government and Administration The salaries and associated costs of your local government employees are paid in part by property taxes. They manage the services your community receives, from regulating the sewerage system and water infrastructure to setting local regulations and representing community issues at a government level. This allocation also goes towards maintaining public buildings like your city hall.
Need a Professional Property Tax Solution? Our Team Can Help You Today
American Finance & Investment Company, Inc. (AFIC) is one of the leading property tax loan companies in Texas. Our team is well-versed in helping people and businesses improve their financial situation, reducing risk of foreclosure or bankruptcy. We can help you pay your property tax bill or pay delinquent property taxes through a structured, affordable property tax loan. Get an estimate today by completing the form below.
