TAXES PAID (out of pocket)— In the year a property qualified for the Over-65, the AMOUNT of taxes paid to the school on the homestead portion of the property, sets a Ceiling of tax amount that goes to the school district. (this would not apply to vacant lots, ag, business, etc… only the homestead part)
Now, you have a school TAX ceiling for homestead taxes for that property. If values drops, or the CALCULATED tax amount due is LESS than
the original freeze, you pay the LESSER of the two.
Maintenance and upkeep of the EXISTING structures, as they stood when frozen, does not change your tax freeze. Roofs, windows, paint, siding, door knobs__will not change the tax ceiling__even though the value may change, your out of pocket expense for school will not.
The tax ceiling or freeze as some call it, will only change by the amount of tax on anything ADDED, as in additional square foot, storage building, barn, patio, pool, greenhouse, etc…
If you were frozen at 1400 square feet Residence and 500 square foot garage, and added on 10x10 enclosed porch—then the tax on the 10x10 enclosed porch only, would be added to your existing tax freeze for the school. Same if you added a 14x14 bedroom to the existing house, only the tax on the additional 14x14 square foot would be added to the existing tax freeze.
Tylene Gamble
Chief Appraiser
Wharton County Central Appraisal District
