If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce income, you must file a rendition with the Shelby County Appraisal District by April 15.

 

A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable property you owned or controlled on Jan. 1 of this year. Property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property, such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.

 

“The appraisal district may use the information submitted in the rendition to set property values.”

 

You can also file a report of decreased value to notify the appraisal district of significant depreciation of your property. “For example, if your property was damaged by a storm, flood or fire last year, you should file a report of decreased value. The appraisal district will look at your property before assigning a value.”

 

Renditions must be filed after January 1 and no later than April 15.  A 10 percent to 50 percent penalty may be imposed if a rendition is filed late, incomplete or not all.  Property owners who need more time to file their renditions may file a written request with the chief appraiser on or before the rendition deadline to receive an automatic extension to May 15.

 

Rendition statements and property reports for property located in an appraisal district in which one or more taxing units exempt freeport property under Tax Code Section 11.251 must be delivered no later than April 1.  A property owner may apply, in writing, for a mandatory extension to May 1.

 

For more information about rendering property, deadline extensions, penalties and rendition forms, taxpayers may contact the Shelby County Appraisal District at (936) 598-6171. Information is also available from the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.