February 6, 2019
On Wednesday, February 6, Representative Jared Patterson filed HB 1444, an ambitious proposal designed to slow the growth of rising property tax bills and provide more predictability to taxpayers and taxing units alike. HB 1444 would allow taxpayers to pay on a five year average of their appraised value, serving as a brake on rising property taxes in fast-growth areas.
Data from the Denton Central Appraisal District indicates that median taxable values on single- family Denton County residences have skyrocketed by almost 60% since 2009. Statewide, the market value of both single family residences and real commercial property increased by more than 7% between 2016 and 2017, the most recent years for which the Comptroller’s office has published data.
“If an averaging system had been in place a decade ago, property owners in Denton County and across Texas would have the benefit of paying on a substantially smaller appraised value than present day,” said Rep. Patterson. “HB 1444 smooths out the rapid appraisal increases across a five year period, by utilizing lower values within the average period to slow the rate of growth.”
Rep. Patterson believes this legislation would complement the critical property tax relief efforts contained in House Bill 2. HJR 65, also filed by Rep. Patterson, would amend the Texas Constitution to grant the legislature the authority to enact the corresponding legislation. HB 1444 also empowers Texans to pay the lesser of the five year average value or the current year appraised value of their home, to ensure residents are not incurring greater tax liability under the averaging system relative to current practice.
Elected in November, Patterson’s district encompasses eastern Denton County. Rep. Patterson serves on the Business & Industry, Urban Affairs, and Resolutions Calendars committees. His family resides in Frisco.
