Central Health will look into changing its homestead property tax exemptions for elderly residents and residents with disabilities. (Community Impact Newspaper employee)
After a period of soaring in the total value of taxable real estate in Travis County, officials at Central Health said they would review the organization’s homestead exemptions next month.
Central Health vice president and chief financial officer Jeff Knodel announced on May 26 that his office would work with Travis County through May and June to review property tax exemptions, particularly exemptions for residents over 65 years of age and residents with disabilities.
“We are working with staff from the Travis County Budget Office and are doing extensive data exploration to investigate some metrics related to exceptions,” said Knodel.
Central Health’s general homestead exemption is capped at 20%, the maximum amount allowed by law, according to the health district.
Additionally, residents over the age of 65 or residents with disabilities who pay property tax to Central Health are currently eligible for homestead exemptions up to $ 85,500 per year.
The Health District is currently reviewing these numbers and may adjust them to potentially provide tax breaks to Travis County’s residents at risk, such as the elderly or disabled.
It is possible that Central Health is following patterns recently set by other local tax authorities. The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted on May 25 to extend the homestead exemptions for certain members of the population.
The vote increased the existing tax exemption from $ 30,000 for Williamson County residents 65 and older to $ 90,000 and increased the tax exemption from $ 20,000 for disabled residents to $ 75,000.
Central Health’s analysis of homestead exemptions and the impact on local taxpayers comes as Travis County recently saw a collective double-digit percentage increase in total scores.
The Travis Central Appraisal District sent rating notifications to Travis County property owners in April 2021 to determine a total value of $ 323 billion – up 12% in the rating list since 2019 when TCAD last updated ratings.
“Everyone knows Travis County is a high-growth area,” Knodel said on May 26th.
Central Health’s board of directors did not vote on a decision on the values of the homestead in the health district on May 26. Knodel said his staff would likely bring an action point to the board at his next regular meeting in late June.