Cameron County Businesses File a Property Rendition Every Spring

Most people think of property tax as a tax on land and buildings. But if you run a business, the things you use to earn income, like inventory, furniture, machinery, equipment, even a work truck, count as taxable business personal property. Texas asks you to report them once a year on a form called a rendition, filed with the Cameron Appraisal District.

This catches a lot of small operators off guard, because you can owe it even if you rent your space and own no real estate. A food trailer, a barber's chairs, a warehouse full of stock, a contractor's tools, all of it is fair game. The rendition lists what you own as of January 1 and lets you state your own opinion of its value.

The deadline to file with the appraisal district is April 15, and extensions are sometimes available if you ask in time. Check cameroncad.org for the current form and what to render before spring, especially if this is your first year in business.