HOUSTON – November 21, 2006 – Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt announces that his office has begun mailing 1,350,000 property tax bills for 2006, which will begin arriving this week. Earlier this year, the Harris County Tax Office assumed property tax collections for taxpayers in the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the City of Pasadena and Piney Point Village.

         “The good news is that over half a million county taxpayers are now writing one check instead of two,” said Bettencourt. “All taxpayers will have complete online access to their 2006 property tax statements on the Tax Office Web site at www.hctax.net.”

         The 2006 Harris County property tax statements are available online at www.hctax.net and feature a link that allows property owners to view a graph displaying the increases in their property values and taxes from 1990-2006 and five years of account history is included in the bill.

         “Despite legislative property tax relief on Independent School District tax rates, overall property tax bills are mostly up due to a 6.15% increase in the average appraised value of all countywide homes,” said Bettencourt. “Results vary from ISD to ISD depending upon the actual rates set by each board of school trustees, but it looks like the average home in the county is seeing about a 1½% increase in their combined property tax bill.”

         Bettencourt also is reminding taxpayers to“Get online instead of in line” to pay their combined 2006 property tax bills. Convenient payment options are included on the Tax Office Web site at www.hctax.net. Taxpayers may choose to pay their entire bill online with 24/7 access by free E-check or credit card, or by touch-tone telephone with a credit card by calling 713-368-CARD (2273).

         “Lastly, remember to review your property tax statement and make sure you have all of the exemptions you’re legally entitled to have,” said Bettencourt. “While my office makes it easy and convenient to pay your property taxes, only you - the property owner - can ensure you’re paying the lowest legal amount of property taxes possible.”

         For more information, taxpayers may call 713-368-2000 or visit the Tax Office Web site at www.hctax.net.

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