Shelby County Appraisal District Reminds Businesses to Render their Taxable Property by April 15

April 6, 2016 - 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.”

The last day to file a rendition or report of decreased value is April 15. A 10 percent to 50 percent penalty may be imposed if a rendition is filed late, incomplete or not at all. Property owners who need more time to file their renditions may file a written request with the chief appraiser on or before April 15 to receive an automatic extension to May 15 or the next business day. The chief appraiser may also grant an additional 15 days after the postponed deadline, if necessary. 

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/taxinfo/proptax/.