Property Tax: Two Offices, One County

Two offices touch the tax bill. TCAD, the Trinity County Appraisal District, values real and business personal property in the county. The county tax assessor-collector is a separate office.

The Comptroller lists that county tax office as a non-collecting office for property taxes. For bills, payments, values, protests, and records, TCAD is the first local stop.

Homestead exemptions go to the appraisal district too. Texas gives a $140,000 school-tax exemption on a qualifying residence homestead. Cities, counties, or other local units may add their own.

The general exemption deadline is before May 1. If the home is your principal residence, use TCAD's current forms before you mail anything.