Texas is one of the few states where there is no income tax. The Lone Star State also skips inheritance and estate taxes, but there is a state sales tax, real estate taxes, and other various levies.
What Taxes Do You Pay in Texas?
Texas is one of only eight states that have no personal income tax. Most of the taxes in Texas are sales taxes, as well as taxes on businesses and specific industries. In Texas, there is a property tax, but it’s collected by cities, counties, and school districts, not by the state itself. The revenue it produces can only be used for local needs. Texas is rather tax-friendly overall. According to the Tax Foundation, Texas’ overall state and local tax burden is one of the lowest in the country. The state and local tax burden come in at 8.6%. Comparatively, New Yorkers are taxed at nearly double the rate of Texans and face the heaviest burden in the country at 15.9%.
The Texas Franchise Tax
Texas has no individual income tax, but it does levy a franchise tax of 0.375% on some wholesalers and retail businesses. The rate increases to 0.75% for other non-exempt businesses. Also called a “privilege tax,” this type of income tax is based on total business revenues exceeding $1.23 million in 2022 and 2023. Franchise tax reports are due annually on May 15 or the next business day when this date falls on a weekend or a holiday. Interest on past-due franchise debts begins accruing 61 days after the due date. If you file reports after the due date, you will be charged a $50 penalty for each report. If your franchise taxes are paid late, you will be charged a penalty based on how late the payment is—up to and including 30 days late at 5%, while anything more than 30 days is a 10% penalty.
‘Death Taxes’ in Texas
Inheritance and estate taxes are often grouped under the label “death taxes.” Texas repealed its inheritance tax on September 15, 2015. There’s no estate tax in Texas, either, although estates valued at more than $12.06 million in 2022 and $12.92 million in 2023 can be taxed at the federal level.
Property Taxes in Texas
Property taxes are based on the assessed current market value of real estate and income-producing tangible personal property. “Income” is the keyword when it comes to personal property. Your vehicle might be considered tangible personal property, but it’s not subject to a tax as long as you never use it to earn a living. Driving it back and forth to your place of employment doesn’t count. Appraisals of real estate are performed by county districts. The appraiser will compare your home to other similar homes that have recently sold in the area. The appraised value of your real estate is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine your tax bill. These rates are set by counties and school districts. They’re based on yearly budgets and how much revenue the districts need to cover their costs. Owners of agricultural or timberland property can apply for special appraisals based on the value of crops, livestock, and timber produced by the land. This can result in lower appraisals and lower taxes.
Texas Property Tax Exemptions
Property tax exemptions reduce the appraised value of your real estate, which can reduce your tax bill. A tax rate of 1.8% applied to an appraised value of $200,000 works out to more than 1.8% of an appraised $175,000 value. Texas has several exemptions available.
The Homestead Exemption
You can qualify for a $40,000 reduction in your home’s appraised value if it’s your principal place of residence as of January 1 of the tax year. The Texas State Code allows school districts the option of offering a separate exemption of up to 20% of the appraised value. This local exemption can’t be less than $5,000.
Exemptions for Seniors and the Disabled
Homeowners who are age 65 or older, or those who are disabled, can qualify for an additional $10,000 exemption for school district taxes and an exemption for other local property taxes that can’t be less than $3,000. The school district can’t tax any more than what homeowners paid in the first year they qualified, so the tax is effectively frozen. Widows or widowers age 55 or older whose deceased spouse qualified for the 65-or-older exemption can continue to receive the exemption themselves if they reapply.
Exemption for Disabled Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been disabled as a result of their service might be eligible for a disabled veteran’s exemption. The amount exempted depends on the veteran’s disability rating, which is determined by the U.S. Veterans’ Administration.
Sales Taxes in Texas
Texas’s state-level sales tax is 6.25%. Localities can add their own sales taxes on top of this, however, which can bring the rate up to as much as 8.25% in some areas. Unprepared food, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs are exempt from sales tax. The state also offers sales tax “holidays” each year. Certain purchases are exempt from sales tax on these occasions if you spend over a qualifying dollar amount. The holidays usually take place in April, May, and August. August’s dates often exempt clothing, backpacks, and back-to-school supplies.
Other Texas State Taxes
There are a few other miscellaneous taxes in Texas:
The state’s gas tax has been set at 20 cents per gallon on diesel and unleaded fuels since 1991. Texas taxes cigarettes at $1.41 per pack. Using a hotel, bed and breakfast, or similar short-term stay will cost you another 6% of the cost of the room in taxes. Certain cities, counties, and other districts might impose an additional local hotel tax.
