Ad Valorem Tax. This office collects ad valorem tax, more commonly known as property tax, the basis of which is the fair market value of property established as of January 1 of each year. The tax is levied on the assessed value of the property, which, by law, is established at 40% of fair market value, and is determined by the tax rate (mill rate) levied by various entities. One mill equals $1.00 of each $1,000 of assessed value or .001.
Tax Return. Taxpayers are required to file at least an initial tax return for taxable property (both real and personal property) owned between January 2 and April 1 in Harris County, at the office of the Tax Commissioner. The tax return is a listing of the property owned by the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s declaration of the value of the property.