TAX CODE
CHAPTER 33. DELINQUENCY
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 33.01. PENALTIES AND INTEREST. (a) A delinquent tax
incurs a penalty of six percent of the amount of the tax for the
first calendar month it is delinquent plus one percent for each
additional month or portion of a month the tax remains unpaid prior
to July 1 of the year in which it becomes delinquent. However, a tax
delinquent on July 1 incurs a total penalty of twelve percent of the
amount of the delinquent tax without regard to the number of months
the tax has been delinquent. A delinquent tax continues to incur
the penalty provided by this subsection as long as the tax remains
unpaid, regardless of whether a judgment for the delinquent tax has
been rendered.
(b) If a person who exercises the split-payment option
provided by Section 31.03 of this code fails to make the second
payment before July 1, the second payment is delinquent and incurs a
penalty of twelve percent of the amount of unpaid tax.
(c) A delinquent tax accrues interest at a rate of one
percent for each month or portion of a month the tax remains unpaid.
Interest payable under this section is to compensate the taxing
unit for revenue lost because of the delinquency. A delinquent tax
continues to accrue interest under this subsection as long as the
tax remains unpaid, regardless of whether a judgment for the
delinquent tax has been rendered.
(d) In lieu of the penalty imposed under Subsection (a), a
delinquent tax incurs a penalty of 50 percent of the amount of the
tax without regard to the number of months the tax has been
delinquent if the tax is delinquent because the property owner
received an exemption under:
(1) Section 11.13 and the chief appraiser subsequently
cancels the exemption because the residence was not the principal
residence of the property owner and the property owner received an
exemption for two or more additional residence homesteads for the
tax year in which the tax was imposed;
(2) Section 11.13(c) or (d) for a person who is 65
years of age or older and the chief appraiser subsequently cancels
the exemption because the property owner was younger than 65 years
of age; or
(3) Section 11.13(q) and the chief appraiser
subsequently cancels the exemption because the property owner was
younger than 55 years of age when the property owner's spouse died.
(e) A penalty imposed under Subsection (d) does not apply
if:
(1) the exemption was granted by the appraisal
district or board and not at the request or application of the
property owner or the property owner's agent; or
(2) at any time before the date the tax becomes
delinquent, the property owner gives to the chief appraiser of the
appraisal district in which the property is located written notice
of circumstances that would disqualify the owner for the exemption.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2290, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 168, ch. 13, § 127,
eff. Jan. 1, 1982; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 836, § 5.3, eff.
Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 906, § 3, eff. Jan. 1,
1998; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1039, § 33, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.
§ 33.011. WAIVER OF PENALTIES AND INTEREST. (a) The
governing body of a taxing unit:
(1) shall waive penalties and may provide for the
waiver of interest on a delinquent tax if an act or omission of an
officer, employee, or agent of the taxing unit or the appraisal
district in which the taxing unit participates caused or resulted
in the taxpayer's failure to pay the tax before delinquency and if
the tax is paid not later than the 21st day after the date the
taxpayer knows or should know of the delinquency; and
(2) may waive penalties and provide for the waiver of
interest on a delinquent tax if the property for which the tax is
owed is acquired by a religious organization that qualifies the
property for exemption under Section 11.20 before the first
anniversary of the date the religious organization acquires the
property.
(b) If a tax bill is returned undelivered to the taxing unit
by the United States Postal Service, the governing body of the
taxing unit shall waive penalties and interest if:
(1) the taxing unit does not send another tax bill on
the property in question at least 21 days before the delinquency
date to the current mailing address furnished by the property owner
and the property owner establishes that a current mailing address
was furnished to the appraisal district by the property owner for
the tax bill before September 1 of the year in which the tax is
assessed; or
(2) the tax bill was returned because of an act or
omission of an officer, employee, or agent of the taxing unit or the
appraisal district in which the taxing unit participates and the
taxing unit or appraisal district did not send another tax bill on
the property in question at least 21 days before the delinquency
date to the proper mailing address.
(c) For the purposes of this section, a property owner is
considered to have furnished a current mailing address to the
taxing unit or to the appraisal district if the current address is
expressly communicated to the appraisal district in writing or if
the appraisal district received a copy of a recorded instrument
transferring ownership of real property and the current mailing
address of the new owner is included in the instrument or in
accompanying communications or letters of transmittal.
(d) A request for a waiver of penalties and interest under
this section must be made before the 181st day after the delinquency
date.
(e) Penalties and interest do not accrue during the period
that a bill is not sent under Section 31.01(f).
(f) A property owner is not entitled to relief under
Subsection (b) of this section if the property owner or the owner's
agent furnished an incorrect mailing address to the appraisal
district or the taxing unit or to an employee or agent of the
district or unit.
(g) Taxes for which penalties and interest have been waived
under Subsection (b) of this section must be paid within 21 days of
the property owner having received a bill for those taxes at the
current mailing address.
(h) The governing body of a taxing unit shall waive
penalties and interest on a delinquent tax if:
(1) the tax is payable by electronic funds transfer
under an agreement entered into under Section 31.06(a); and
(2) the taxpayer submits evidence sufficient to show
that:
(A) the taxpayer attempted to pay the tax by
electronic funds transfer in the proper manner before the
delinquency date;
(B) the taxpayer's failure to pay the tax before
the delinquency date was caused by an error in the transmission of
the funds; and
(C) the tax was properly paid by electronic funds
transfer or otherwise not later than the 21st day after the date the
taxpayer knew or should have known of the delinquency.
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 769, § 1, eff. June 14, 1985.
Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 796, § 31, eff. June 15,
1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 836, § 5.1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991;
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 926, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993, and
redesignated from V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 31.015 and amended by
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 579, § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts
1999, 76th Leg., ch. 606, § 2, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 1999,
76th Leg., ch. 817, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th
Leg., ch. 768, § 1, eff. June 30, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch.
151, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 33.02. INSTALLMENT PAYMENT OF DELINQUENT
TAXES. (a) The collector for a taxing unit that collects its own
taxes may enter an agreement with a person delinquent in the payment
of the tax for payment of the tax, penalties, and interest in
installments. The agreement must be in writing and may not extend
for a period of more than 36 months.
(b) Interest and a penalty accrue as provided by Subsections
(a) and (c) of Section 33.01 on the unpaid balance during the period
of the agreement.
(c) A property owner's execution of an installment
agreement under this section is an irrevocable admission of
liability for all taxes, penalties, and interest that are subject
to the agreement.
(d) Property may not be seized and sold and a suit may not be
filed to collect a delinquent tax subject to an installment
agreement unless the property owner:
(1) fails to make a payment as required by the
agreement;
(2) fails to pay other property taxes collected by the
unit when due as required by the collector; or
(3) breaches any other condition of the agreement.
(e) Execution of an installment agreement tolls the
limitation periods provided by Section 33.05 of this code for the
period during which enforced collection is barred by Subsection (d)
of this section.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2290, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 906, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.
§ 33.03. DELINQUENT TAX ROLL. Each year the collector
for each taxing unit shall prepare a current and a cumulative
delinquent tax roll for the unit.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2290, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
§ 33.04. NOTICE OF DELINQUENCY. At least once each year
the collector for a taxing unit shall deliver a notice of
delinquency to each person whose name appears on the current
delinquent tax roll. However, the notice need not be delivered if:
(1) a bill for the tax was not mailed under Section
31.01(f); or
(2) the collector does not know and by exercising
reasonable diligence cannot determine the delinquent taxpayer's
name and address.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2290, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 168, ch. 13, § 128,
eff. Jan. 1, 1982; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 761, § 1, eff. Aug.
26, 1985; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 16, eff. Jan. 1,
2000; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.05. LIMITATION ON COLLECTION OF
TAXES. (a) Personal property may not be seized and a suit may not
be filed:
(1) to collect a tax on personal property that has been
delinquent more than four years; or
(2) to collect a tax on real property that has been
delinquent more than 20 years.
(b) A tax delinquent for more than the limitation period
prescribed by this section and any penalty and interest on the tax
is presumed paid unless a suit to collect the tax is pending.
(c) If there is no pending litigation concerning the
delinquent tax at the time of the cancellation and removal, the
collector for a taxing unit shall cancel and remove from the
delinquent tax roll:
(1) a tax on real property that has been delinquent for
more than 20 years;
(2) a tax on personal property that has been
delinquent for more than 10 years; and
(3) a tax on real property that has been delinquent for
more than 10 years if the property has been owned for at least the
preceding eight years by a home-rule municipality in a county with a
population of more than 3.3 million.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2291, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 836, § 5.4, eff. Aug. 26,
1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 63, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;
Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 669, § 119, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.06. DEFERRED COLLECTION OF TAXES ON RESIDENCE
HOMESTEAD OF ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON. (a) An individual is
entitled to defer collection of a tax, abate a suit to collect a
delinquent tax, or abate a sale to foreclose a tax lien if the
individual:
(1) is 65 years of age or older or is disabled as
defined by Section 11.13(m); and
(2) the tax was imposed against property that the
individual owns and occupies as a residence homestead.
(b) To obtain a deferral, an individual must file with the
chief appraiser for the appraisal district in which the property is
located an affidavit stating the facts required to be established
by Subsection (a). The chief appraiser shall notify each taxing
unit participating in the district of the filing. After an
affidavit is filed under this subsection, a taxing unit may not file
suit to collect delinquent taxes on the property and the property
may not be sold at a sale to foreclose the tax lien until the 181st
day after the date the individual no longer owns and occupies the
property as a residence homestead.
(c) To obtain an abatement of a pending suit, the individual
must file in the court in which suit is pending an affidavit stating
the facts required to be established by Subsection (a). If no
controverting affidavit is filed by the taxing unit filing suit or
if, after a hearing, the court finds the individual is entitled to
the deferral, the court shall abate the suit until the 181st day
after the date the individual no longer owns and occupies the
property as a residence homestead. The clerk of the court shall
deliver a copy of the judgment abating the suit to the chief
appraiser of each appraisal district that appraises the property.
(c-1) To obtain an abatement of a pending sale to foreclose
the tax lien, the individual must deliver an affidavit stating the
facts required to be established by Subsection (a) to the chief
appraiser of each appraisal district that appraises the property,
the collector for the taxing unit that requested the order of sale
or the attorney representing that unit for the collection of
delinquent taxes, and the officer charged with selling the property
not later than the fifth day before the date of the sale. After an
affidavit is delivered under this subsection, the property may not
be sold at a tax sale until the 181st day after the date the
individual no longer owns and occupies the property as a residence
homestead. If property is sold in violation of this section, the
property owner may file a motion to set aside the sale under the
same cause number and in the same court as a judgment reference in
the order of sale. The motion must be filed during the applicable
redemption period as set forth in Section 34.21(a) or, if the
property is bid off to a taxing entity, on or before the 180th day
following the date the taxing unit's deed is filed of record,
whichever is later. This right is not transferable to a third
party.
(d) A tax lien remains on the property and interest
continues to accrue during the period collection of taxes is
deferred or abated under this section. The annual interest rate
during the deferral or abatement period is eight percent instead of
the rate provided by Section 33.01. Interest and penalties that
accrued or that were incurred or imposed under Section 33. 01 or
33.07 before the date the individual files the deferral affidavit
under Subsection (b) or the date the judgment abating the suit is
entered, as applicable, are preserved. A penalty under Section
33.01 is not incurred during a deferral or abatement period. The
additional penalty under Section 33.07 may be imposed and collected
only if the taxes for which collection is deferred or abated remain
delinquent on or after the 181st day after the date the deferral or
abatement period expires. A plea of limitation, laches, or want of
prosecution does not apply against the taxing unit because of
deferral or abatement of collection as provided by this section.
(e) Each year the chief appraiser for each appraisal
district shall publicize in a manner reasonably designed to notify
all residents of the district or county of the provisions of this
section and, specifically, the method by which eligible persons may
obtain a deferral or abatement.
(f) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section,
if an individual who qualifies for a deferral or abatement of
collection of taxes on property as provided by this section dies,
the deferral or abatement continues in effect until the 181st day
after the date the surviving spouse of the individual no longer owns
and occupies the property as a residence homestead if:
(1) the property was the residence homestead of the
deceased spouse when the deceased spouse died;
(2) the surviving spouse was 55 years of age or older
when the deceased spouse died; and
(3) the property was the residence homestead of the
surviving spouse when the deceased spouse died.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2291, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 168, ch. 13, § 129,
eff. Jan. 1, 1982; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 793, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1989; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1039, § 35, eff. Jan. 1, 1998;
Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 892, § 1, 2, eff. June 14, 2001; Acts
2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003,
78th Leg., ch. 754, § 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 33.065. DEFERRED COLLECTION OF TAXES ON APPRECIATING
RESIDENCE HOMESTEAD. (a) An individual is entitled to defer or
abate a suit to collect a delinquent tax imposed on the portion of
the appraised value of property the individual owns and occupies as
the individual's residence homestead that exceeds the sum of:
(1) 105 percent of the appraised value of the property
for the preceding year; and
(2) the market value of all new improvements to the
property.
(b) An individual may not obtain a deferral or abatement
under this section, and any deferral or abatement previously
received expires, if the taxes on the portion of the appraised value
of the property that does not exceed the amount provided by
Subsection (a) are delinquent.
(c) To obtain a deferral, an individual must file with the
chief appraiser for the appraisal district in which the property is
located an affidavit stating the facts required to be established
by Subsection (a). The chief appraiser shall notify each taxing
unit participating in the district of the filing. After an
affidavit is filed under this subsection, a taxing unit may not file
suit to collect delinquent taxes on the property for which
collection is deferred until the individual no longer owns and
occupies the property as a residence homestead.
(d) To obtain an abatement, the individual must file in the
court in which the delinquent tax suit is pending an affidavit
stating the facts required to be established by Subsection (a). If
the taxing unit that filed the suit does not file a controverting
affidavit or if, after a hearing, the court finds the individual is
entitled to the deferral, the court shall abate the suit until the
individual no longer owns and occupies the property as the
individual's residence homestead. The clerk of the court shall
deliver a copy of the judgment abating the suit to the chief
appraiser of each appraisal district that appraises the property.
(e) A deferral or abatement under this section applies only
to ad valorem taxes imposed beginning with the tax year following
the first tax year the individual entitled to the deferral or
abatement qualifies the property for an exemption under Section
11.13. For purposes of this subsection, the owner of a residence
homestead that is qualified for an exemption under Section 11.13 on
January 1, 1998, is considered to have qualified the property for
the first time in the 1997 tax year.
(f) If the collection of delinquent taxes on the property
was deferred in a prior tax year and the sum of the amounts
described by Subsections (a)(1) and (2) exceeds the appraised value
of the property for the current tax year, the amount of taxes the
collection of which may be deferred is reduced by the amount
calculated by multiplying the taxing unit's tax rate for the
current year by the amount by which that sum exceeds the appraised
value of the property.
(g) A tax lien remains on the property and interest
continues to accrue during the period collection of delinquent
taxes is deferred or abated under this section. The annual interest
rate during the deferral or abatement period is eight percent
instead of the rate provided by Section 33.01. Interest and
penalties that accrued or that were incurred or imposed under
Section 33.01 or 33.07 before the date the individual files the
deferral affidavit under Subsection (c) or the date the judgment
abating the suit is entered, as applicable, are preserved. A
penalty is not incurred on the delinquent taxes for which
collection is deferred or abated during a deferral or abatement
period. The additional penalty under Section 33.07 may be imposed
and collected only if the delinquent taxes for which collection is
deferred or abated remain delinquent on or after the 91st day after
the date the deferral or abatement period expires. A plea of
limitation, laches, or want of prosecution does not apply against
the taxing unit because of deferral or abatement of collection as
provided by this section.
(h) Each year the chief appraiser for each appraisal
district shall publicize in a manner reasonably designed to notify
all residents of the county for which the appraisal district is
established of the provisions of this section and, specifically,
the method by which an eligible person may obtain a deferral.
(i) In this section:
(1) "New improvement" means an improvement to a
residence homestead that is made after the appraisal of the
property for the preceding year and that increases the market value
of the property. The term does not include ordinary maintenance of
an existing structure or the grounds or another feature of the
property.
(2) "Residence homestead" has the meaning assigned
that term by Section 11.13.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1039, § 36, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 13, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
§ 33.07. ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR COLLECTION COSTS FOR
TAXES DUE BEFORE JUNE 1. (a) A taxing unit or appraisal district
may provide, in the manner required by law for official action by
the body, that taxes that become delinquent on or after February 1
of a year but not later than May 1 of that year and that remain
delinquent on July 1 of the year in which they become delinquent
incur an additional penalty to defray costs of collection, if the
unit or district or another unit that collects taxes for the unit
has contracted with an attorney pursuant to Section 6.30. The
amount of the penalty may not exceed the amount of the compensation
specified in the contract with the attorney to be paid in connection
with the collection of the delinquent taxes.
(b) A tax lien attaches to the property on which the tax is
imposed to secure payment of the penalty.
(c) If a penalty is imposed pursuant to this section, a
taxing unit may not recover attorney's fees in a suit to collect
delinquent taxes subject to the penalty.
(d) If a taxing unit or appraisal district provides for a
penalty under this section, the collector shall deliver a notice of
delinquency and of the penalty to the property owner at least 30 and
not more than 60 days before July 1.
Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 168, ch. 13, § 130,
eff. Jan. 1, 1982. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, §
17, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 14,
eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.08. ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR COLLECTION COSTS FOR
TAXES DUE ON OR AFTER JUNE 1. (a) This section applies to a taxing
unit or appraisal district only if:
(1) the governing body of the taxing unit or appraisal
district has imposed the additional penalty for collection costs
under Section 33.07; and
(2) the taxing unit or appraisal district, or another
taxing unit that collects taxes for the unit, has entered into a
contract with an attorney under Section 6.30 for the collection of
the unit's delinquent taxes.
(b) The governing body of the taxing unit or appraisal
district, in the manner required by law for official action, may
provide that taxes that become delinquent on or after June 1 under
Section 26.07(f), 26.15(e), 31.03, 31.031, 31.032, or 31.04 incur
an additional penalty to defray costs of collection. The amount of
the penalty may not exceed the amount of the compensation specified
in the applicable contract with an attorney under Section 6.30 to be
paid in connection with the collection of the delinquent taxes.
(c) After the taxes become delinquent, the collector for a
taxing unit or appraisal district that has provided for the
additional penalty under this section shall send a notice of the
delinquency and the penalty to the property owner. The penalty is
incurred on the first day of the first month that begins at least 21
days after the date the notice is sent.
(d) A tax lien attaches to the property on which the tax is
imposed to secure payment of the additional penalty.
(e) A taxing unit or appraisal district that imposes the
additional penalty under this section may not recover attorney's
fees in a suit to collect delinquent taxes subject to the penalty.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 18, eff. Sept. 1,
1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 15, eff.
Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.09. TRANSFER OF DELINQUENT COUNTY EDUCATION
DISTRICT TAXES.
Text of section effective until February 1, 2014
(a) In this section, "county education district taxes"
means ad valorem taxes imposed by a county education district under
former Section 20.945, Education Code.
(b) Not later than September 15, 2003, the
successor-in-interest to a county education district shall
transfer to the component school districts of the county education
district all money held by the successor-in-interest that
represents delinquent county education district taxes collected
after August 31, 1993, less the amount of any costs incurred by the
successor-in-interest to collect or maintain that money to the
extent that those costs have not been previously reimbursed from
the taxes collected. For purposes of this subsection, taxes
collected include any penalties or interest collected with the
taxes. The amount transferred to each school district must be equal
to the difference between:
(1) the amount of the delinquent county education
district taxes held by the successor-in-interest that were
collected from property located in the school district; and
(2) the school district's share of the unreimbursed
costs of collecting and maintaining the money distributed, computed
by multiplying the total unreimbursed costs of collecting and
maintaining the money by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
amount of the delinquent county education district taxes held by
the successor-in-interest that were collected from property
located in the school district, and the denominator of which is the
total amount of the delinquent county education district taxes held
by the successor-in-interest.
(c) Not later than September 15, 2003, the
successor-in-interest to a county education district shall
transfer to the component school districts of the county education
district all uncollected delinquent county education district
taxes not previously transferred to the component school districts.
The uncollected delinquent taxes transferred to each school
district must be the uncollected delinquent county education
district taxes imposed on property located in the school district.
(d) A school district to which uncollected delinquent
county education district taxes are transferred under this section
is responsible for:
(1) collecting or contracting for the collection of
the taxes; and
(2) preparing and submitting any report required by
the commissioner of education or the comptroller of the amount of
delinquent county education taxes collected.
(e) This section expires February 1, 2014.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 16, eff. Sept. 1,
2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 409, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 2003.
§ 33.10. RESTRICTED OR CONDITIONAL PAYMENTS OF
DELINQUENT TAXES, PENALTIES, AND INTEREST PROHIBITED. Unless the
restriction or condition is authorized by this title, a restriction
or condition placed on a check in payment of delinquent taxes by the
maker that purports to limit the amount of delinquent taxes owed to
an amount less than that stated in the applicable delinquent tax
roll, or a restriction or condition placed on a check in payment of
penalties and interest on delinquent taxes by the maker that
purports to limit the amount of the penalties and interest to an
amount less than the amount of penalties and interest accrued on the
delinquent taxes, is void.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 651, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER B. SEIZURE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
§ 33.21. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO SEIZURE. (a) A person's
personal property is subject to seizure for the payment of a
delinquent tax, penalty, and interest he owes a taxing unit on
property.
(b) A person's personal property is subject to seizure for
the payment of a tax imposed by a taxing unit on his property before
the tax becomes delinquent if:
(1) the collector discovers that property on which the
tax has been or will be imposed is about to be removed from the
county; and
(2) the collector knows of no other personal property
in the county from which the tax may be satisfied.
(c) Current wages in the possession of an employer are not
subject to seizure.
(d) In this subchapter, "personal property" means:
(1) tangible personal property;
(2) cash on hand;
(3) notes or accounts receivable, including rents and
royalties;
(4) demand or time deposits; and
(5) certificates of deposit.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2292, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4828, ch. 851, § 23, eff.
Aug. 29, 1983; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 17, eff. Sept.
1, 2001.
§ 33.22. INSTITUTION OF SEIZURE. (a) At any time after
a tax becomes delinquent, a collector may apply for a tax warrant to
any court in any county in which the person liable for the tax has
personal property. If more than one collector participates in the
seizure, all may make a joint application.
(b) A collector may apply at any time for a tax warrant
authorizing seizure of property as provided by Subsection (b) of
Section 33.21 of this code.
(c) The court shall issue the tax warrant if the applicant
shows by affidavit that:
(1) the person whose property he intends to seize is
delinquent in the payment of taxes, penalties, and interest in the
amount stated in the application; or
(2) the applicant has reason to believe the property
owner is about to remove from the county personal property on which
a tax has been or will be imposed, the applicant knows of no other
personal property the person owns in the county from which the tax
may be satisfied, and taxes in a stated amount have been imposed on
the property or taxes in an estimated amount will be imposed on the
property.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2292, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
§ 33.23. TAX WARRANT. (a) A tax warrant shall direct a
peace officer in the county and the collector to seize as much of
the person's personal property as may be reasonably necessary for
the payment of all taxes, penalties, and interest included in the
application and all costs of seizure and sale. The warrant shall
direct the person whose property is seized to disclose to the
officer executing the warrant the name and the address if known of
any other person having an interest in the property.
(b) A bond may not be required of a taxing unit for issuance
or delivery of a tax warrant, and a fee or court cost may not be
charged for issuance or delivery of a warrant.
(c) After a tax warrant is issued, the collector or peace
officer shall take possession of the property pending its sale. The
person against whom a tax warrant is issued or another person having
possession of property of the person against whom a tax warrant is
issued shall surrender the property on demand. Pending the sale of
the property, the collector or peace officer may secure the
property at the location where it is seized or may move the property
to another location.
(d) A person who possesses personal property owned by the
person against whom a tax warrant is issued and who surrenders the
property on demand is not liable to any person for the surrender.
At the time of surrender, the collector shall provide the person
surrendering the property a sworn receipt describing the property
surrendered.
(e) Subsection (d) does not create an obligation on the part
of a person who surrenders property owned by the person against whom
a tax warrant is issued that exceeds or materially differs from that
person's obligation to the person against whom the tax warrant is
issued.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2292, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4828, ch. 851, § 24, eff.
Aug. 29, 1983; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 18, eff. Sept.
1, 2001.
§ 33.24. BOND FOR PAYMENT OF TAXES. A person may
prevent seizure of property or sale of property seized by
delivering to the collector a cash or surety bond conditioned on
payment of the tax before delinquency. The bond must be approved by
the collector in an amount determined by him, but he may not require
an amount greater than the amount of tax if imposed or the
collector's reasonable estimate of the amount of tax if not yet
imposed.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2293, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
§ 33.25. TAX SALE: NOTICE; METHOD; DISPOSITION OF
PROCEEDS. (a) After a seizure of personal property, the
collector shall make a reasonable inquiry to determine the identity
and to ascertain the address of any person having an interest in the
property other than the person against whom the tax warrant is
issued. The collector shall provide in writing the name and address
of each other person the collector identifies as having an interest
in the property to the peace officer charged with executing the
warrant. The peace officer shall deliver as soon as possible a
written notice stating the time and place of the sale and briefly
describing the property seized to the person against whom the
warrant is issued and to any other person having an interest in the
property whose name and address the collector provided to the peace
officer. The posting of the notice and the sale of the property
shall be conducted:
(1) in a county other than a county to which
Subdivision (2) applies, by the peace officer in the manner
required for the sale under execution of personal property; or
(2) in a county having a population of three million or
more:
(A) by the peace officer or collector, as
specified in the warrant, in the manner required for the sale under
execution of personal property; or
(B) under an agreement authorized by Subsection
(b).
(b) The commissioners court of a county having a population
of three million or more by official action may authorize a peace
officer or the collector for the county charged with selling
property under this subchapter by public auction to enter into an
agreement with a person who holds an auctioneer's license to
advertise the auction sale of the property and to conduct the
auction sale of the property. The agreement may provide for on-line
bidding and sale.
(c) The commissioners court of a county that authorizes a
peace officer or the collector for the county to enter into an
agreement under Subsection (b) may by official action authorize the
peace officer or collector to enter into an agreement with a service
provider to advertise the auction and to conduct the auction sale of
the property or to accept bids during the auction sale of the
property under Subsection (b) using the Internet.
(d) The terms of an agreement entered into under Subsection
(b) or (c) must be approved in writing by the collector for each
taxing unit entitled to receive proceeds from the sale of the
property. An agreement entered into under Subsection (b) or (c) is
presumed to be commercially reasonable, and the presumption may not
be rebutted by any person.
(e) Failure to send or receive a notice required by this
section does not affect the validity of the sale or title to the
seized property.
(f) The proceeds of a sale of property under this section
shall be applied to:
(1) any compensation owed to or any expense advanced
by the licensed auctioneer under an agreement entered into under
Subsection (b) or a service provider under an agreement entered
into under Subsection (c);
(2) all usual costs, expenses, and fees of the seizure
and sale, payable to the peace officer conducting the sale;
(3) all additional expenses incurred in advertising
the sale or in removing, storing, preserving, or safeguarding the
seized property pending its sale;
(4) all usual court costs payable to the clerk of the
court that issued the tax warrant; and
(5) taxes, penalties, and interest included in the
application for warrant.
(g) The peace officer or licensed auctioneer conducting the
sale shall pay all proceeds from the sale to the collector
designated in the tax warrant for distribution as required by
Subsection (f).
(h) After a seizure of personal property defined by Sections
33.21(d)(2)-(5), the collector shall apply the seized property
toward the payment of the taxes, penalties, and interest included
in the application for warrant and all costs of the seizure as
required by Subsection (f).
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2293, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 19, eff. Sept. 1,
2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 1, eff. June 18, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER C. DELINQUENT TAX SUITS
§ 33.41. SUIT TO COLLECT DELINQUENT TAX. (a) At any
time after its tax on property becomes delinquent, a taxing unit may
file suit to foreclose the lien securing payment of the tax, to
enforce personal liability for the tax, or both. The suit must be
in a court of competent jurisdiction for the county in which the tax
was imposed.
(b) A suit to collect a delinquent tax takes precedence over
all other suits pending in appellate courts.
(c) In a suit brought under Subsection (a), a taxing unit
may foreclose any other lien on the property in favor of the taxing
unit or enforce personal liability of the property owner for the
other lien.
(d) In a suit brought under this section, a court shall
grant a taxing unit injunctive relief on a showing that the personal
property on which the taxing unit seeks to foreclose a tax lien is
about to be:
(1) removed from the county in which the tax was
imposed; or
(2) transferred to another person and the other person
is not a buyer in the ordinary course of business, as defined by
Section 1.201, Business & Commerce Code.
(e) Injunctive relief granted under Subsection (d) must:
(1) prohibit alienation or dissipation of the
property;
(2) order that proceeds from the sale of the property
in an amount equal to the taxes claimed to be due be paid into the
court registry; or
(3) order any other relief to ensure the payment of the
taxes owed.
(f) A taxing unit is not required to file a bond as a
condition to the granting of injunctive relief under Subsection
(d).
(g) In a petition for relief under Subsection (d), the
taxing unit may also seek to secure the payment of taxes for a
current tax year that are not delinquent and shall estimate the
amount due if those taxes are not yet assessed.
(h) The tax lien attaches to any amounts paid into the
court's registry with the same priority as for the property on which
taxes are owed.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2293, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2644, ch. 707, § 4(33), eff.
Aug. 31, 1981; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1031, § 4, eff. Sept. 1,
1993; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.42. TAXES INCLUDED IN FORECLOSURE SUIT. (a) In a
suit to foreclose a lien securing payment of its tax on real
property, a taxing unit shall include all delinquent taxes due the
unit on the property.
(b) If a taxing unit's tax on real property becomes
delinquent after the unit files suit to foreclose a tax lien on the
property but before entry of judgment, the court shall include the
amount of the tax and any penalty and interest in its judgment.
(c) If a tax required by this section to be included in a
suit is omitted from the judgment in the suit, the taxing unit may
not enforce collection of the tax at a later time except as provided
by Section 34.04(c)(2).
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2293, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 21, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
§ 33.43. PETITION. (a) A petition initiating a suit to
collect a delinquent property tax is sufficient if it alleges that:
(1) the taxing unit is legally constituted and
authorized to impose and collect ad valorem taxes on property;
(2) tax in a stated amount was legally imposed on each
separately described property for each year specified and on each
person named if known who owned the property on January 1 of the
year for which the tax was imposed;
(3) the tax was imposed in the county in which the suit
is filed;
(4) the tax is delinquent;
(5) penalties, interest, and costs authorized by law
in a stated amount for each separately assessed property are due;
(6) the taxing unit is entitled to recover each
penalty that is incurred and all interest that accrues on
delinquent taxes imposed on the property from the date of the
judgment to the date of the sale under Section 34.01 or under
Section 253.010, Local Government Code, as applicable, if the suit
seeks to foreclose a tax lien;
(7) the person sued owned the property on January 1 of
the year for which the tax was imposed if the suit seeks to enforce
personal liability;
(8) the person sued owns the property when the suit is
filed if the suit seeks to foreclose a tax lien;
(9) the taxing unit asserts a lien on each separately
described property to secure the payment of all taxes, penalties,
interest, and costs due if the suit seeks to foreclose a tax lien;
(10) all things required by law to be done have been
done properly by the appropriate officials; and
(11) the attorney signing the petition is legally
authorized to prosecute the suit on behalf of the taxing unit.
(b) If the petition alleges that the person sued owns the
property on which the taxing unit asserts a lien, the prayer in the
petition shall be for foreclosure of the lien and payment of all
taxes, penalties, interest, and costs that are due or will become
due and that are secured by the lien. If the petition alleges that
the person sued owned the property on January 1 of the year for
which the taxes were imposed, the prayer shall be for personal
judgment for all taxes, penalties, interest, and costs that are due
or will become due on the property. If the petition contains the
appropriate allegations, the prayer may be for both foreclosure of
a lien on the property and personal judgment.
(c) If the suit is for personal judgment against the person
who owned personal property on January 1 of the year for which the
tax was imposed on the property, the personal property may be
described generally.
(d) The petition need not be verified.
(e) The comptroller shall prepare forms for petitions
initiating suits to collect delinquent taxes. An attorney
representing a taxing unit may use the forms or develop his own
form.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2293, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 6, § 49, eff.
Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 981, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;
Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 18.006, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;
Acts 2001, 77th Leg. ch. 1430, § 22, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.44. JOINDER OF OTHER TAXING UNITS. (a) A taxing
unit filing suit to foreclose a tax lien on real property shall join
other taxing units that have claims for delinquent taxes against
all or part of the same property.
(b) For purposes of joining a county, citation may be served
on the county tax assessor-collector. For purposes of joining any
other taxing unit, citation may be served on the officer charged
with collecting taxes for the unit or on the presiding officer or
secretary of the governing body of the unit. Citation may be served
by certified mail, return receipt requested. A person on whom
service is authorized by this subsection may waive the issuance and
service of citation in behalf of his taxing unit.
(c) A taxing unit joined in a suit as provided by this
section must file its claim for delinquent taxes against the
property or its lien on the property is extinguished. The court's
judgment in the suit shall reflect the extinguishment of a lien
under this subsection.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2294, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4828, ch. 851, § 25, eff.
Aug. 29, 1983.
§ 33.45. PLEADING AND ANSWERING TO CLAIMS FILED. A
party to the suit must take notice of and plead and answer to all
claims and pleadings filed by other parties that have been joined or
have intervened, and each citation must so state.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2294, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
§ 33.46. PARTITION OF REAL PROPERTY. (a) If suit is
filed to foreclose a tax lien on real property owned in undivided
interests by two or more persons, one or more of the owners may have
the property partitioned in the manner prescribed by law for the
partition of real property in district court.
(b) The court shall apportion the taxes, penalties,
interest, and costs sued for to the owners of the property in
proportion to the interest of each. If an owner pays the taxes,
penalties, interest, and costs apportioned to him, the property
partitioned to him is free from further claim or lien for the taxes
involved in the suit. If an owner refuses to pay the amount
apportioned to him, the suit shall proceed against him for that
amount.
(c) The court shall allow reasonable attorney's fees and
costs of partitioning for each property partitioned. The fee shall
be taxed as costs against each owner in proportion to his interest
and constitutes a lien against the property until paid.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2294, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
§ 33.47. TAX RECORDS AS EVIDENCE. (a) In a suit to
collect a delinquent tax, the taxing unit's current tax roll and
delinquent tax roll or certified copies of the entries showing the
property and the amount of the tax and penalties imposed and
interest accrued constitute prima facie evidence that each person
charged with a duty relating to the imposition of the tax has
complied with all requirements of law and that the amount of tax
alleged to be delinquent against the property and the amount of
penalties and interest due on that tax as listed are the correct
amounts.
(b) If the description of a property in the tax roll or
delinquent tax roll is insufficient to identify the property, the
records of the appraisal office are admissible to identify the
property.
(c) In a suit to collect a tax, a tax receipt issued under
Section 31.075 of this code, or an electronic replica of the
receipt, that states that a tax has been paid is prima facie
evidence that the tax has been paid as stated by the receipt or
electronic replica.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2295, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 52, § 2, eff. May 6, 1987;
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 828, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts
1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 33.48. RECOVERY OF COSTS AND EXPENSES. (a) In
addition to other costs authorized by law, a taxing unit is entitled
to recover the following costs and expenses in a suit to collect a
delinquent tax:
(1) all usual court costs, including the cost of
serving process;
(2) costs of filing for record a notice of lis pendens
against property;
(3) expenses of foreclosure sale;
(4) reasonable expenses that are incurred by the
taxing unit in determining the name, identity, and location of
necessary parties and in procuring necessary legal descriptions of
the property on which a delinquent tax is due;
(5) attorney's fees in the amount of 15 percent of the
total amount of taxes, penalties, and interest due the unit; and
(6) reasonable attorney ad litem fees approved by the
court that are incurred in a suit in which the court orders the
appointment of an attorney to represent the interests of a
defendant served with process by means of citation by publication
or posting.
(b) Each item specified by Subsection (a) of this section is
a charge against the property subject to foreclosure in the suit and
shall be collected out of the proceeds of the sale of the property
or, if the suit is for personal judgment, charged against the
defendant.
(c) Fees collected for attorneys and other officials are
fees of office, except that fees for contract attorneys
representing a taxing unit that is joined or intervenes shall be
applied toward the compensation due the attorney under the
contract.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2295, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 169, ch. 13, § 131,
eff. Jan. 1, 1982; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1031, § 16, eff.
Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 906, § 6(a), eff. Jan.
1, 1998; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 23, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
§ 33.49. LIABILITY OF TAXING UNIT FOR
COSTS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a taxing unit is
not liable in a suit to collect taxes for court costs, including any
fees for service of process, an attorney ad litem, arbitration, or
mediation, and may not be required to post security for costs.
(b) A taxing unit shall pay the cost of publishing
citations, notices of sale, or other notices from the unit's
general fund as soon as practicable after receipt of the
publisher's claim for payment. The taxing unit is entitled to
reimbursement from other taxing units that are parties to the suit
for their proportionate share of the publication costs on
satisfaction of any portion of the tax indebtedness before further
distribution of the proceeds. A taxing unit may not pay a word or
line rate for publication of citation or other required notice that
exceeds the rate the newspaper publishing the notice charges
private entities for similar classes of advertising.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2295, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 850, § 1, eff. June 19,
1993; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 24, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 33.50. ADJUDGED VALUE. (a) In a suit for foreclosure
of a tax lien on property, the court shall determine the market
value of the property on the date of trial. The appraised value of
the property according to the most recent appraisal roll approved
by the appraisal review board is presumed to be its market value on
the date of trial, and the person being sued has the burden of
establishing that the market value of the property differs from
that appraised value. The court shall incorporate a finding of the
market value of the property on the date of trial in the judgment.
(b) If the judgment in a suit to collect a delinquent tax is
for the foreclosure of a tax lien on property, the order of sale
shall specify that the property may be sold to a taxing unit that is
a party to the suit or to any other person, other than a person
owning an interest in the property or any party to the suit that is
not a taxing unit, for the market value of the property stated in
the judgment or the aggregate amount of the judgments against the
property, whichever is less.
(c) The order of sale shall also specify that the property
may not be sold to a person owning an interest in the property or to
a person who is a party to the suit other than a taxing unit unless:
(1) that person is the highest bidder at the tax sale;
and
(2) the amount bid by that person is equal to or
greater than the aggregate amount of the judgments against the
property, including all costs of suit and sale.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2296, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 5, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 33.51. WRIT OF POSSESSION. If the court orders the
foreclosure of a tax lien and the sale of real property, the
judgment shall provide for the issuance by the clerk of said court
of a writ of possession to the purchaser at the sale or to the
purchaser's assigns no sooner than 20 days following the date on
which the purchaser's deed from the sheriff or constable is filed of
record.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2296, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 906, § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 1998;
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1111, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999,
76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 42(1).
§ 33.52. TAXES INCLUDED IN JUDGMENT. (a) Only taxes
that are delinquent on the date of a judgment may be included in the
amount recoverable under the judgment by the taxing units that are
parties to the suit.
(b) In lieu of stating as a liquidated amount the aggregate
total of taxes, penalties, and interest due, a judgment may:
(1) set out the tax due each taxing unit for each year;
and
(2) provide that penalties and interest accrue on the
unpaid taxes as provided by Subchapter A.
(c) For purposes of calculating penalties and interest due
under the judgment, it is presumed that the delinquency date for a
tax is February 1 of the year following the year in which the tax was
imposed, unless the judgment provides otherwise.
(d) A taxing unit's claim for taxes that become delinquent
after the date of the judgment is not affected by the entry of the
judgment or a tax sale conducted under that judgment. Those taxes
may be collected by any remedy provided by this title.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 906, § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 1998;
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 981, § 2; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch.
1111, § 3; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 22, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
§ 33.53. ORDER OF SALE; PAYMENT BEFORE SALE. (a) If
judgment in a suit to collect a delinquent tax is for foreclosure of
a tax lien, the court shall order the property sold in satisfaction
of the amount of the judgment.
(b) On application by a taxing unit that is a party to the
judgment, the district clerk shall prepare an order to an officer
authorized to conduct execution sales ordering the sale of the
property. If more than one parcel of property is included in the
judgment, the taxing unit may specify particular parcels to be
sold. A taxing unit may request more than one order of sale as
necessary to collect all amounts due under the judgment.
(c) An order of sale:
(1) shall be returned to the district clerk as
unexecuted if not executed before the 181st day after the date the
order is issued; and
(2) may be accompanied by a copy of the judgment and a
bill of costs attached to the order and incorporate the terms of the
judgment or bill of costs by reference.
(d) A judgment or a bill of costs attached to the order of
sale is not required to be certified.
(e) If the owner pays the amount of the judgment before the
property is sold, the taxing unit shall:
(1) release the tax lien held by the taxing unit on the
property; and
(2) file for record with the clerk of the court in
which the judgment was rendered a release of the lien.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2296, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 537, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1481, § 23, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 33.54. LIMITATION ON ACTIONS RELATING TO PROPERTY SOLD
FOR TAXES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), an action
relating to the title to property may not be maintained against the
purchaser of the property at a tax sale unless the action is
commenced:
(1) before the first anniversary of the date that the
deed executed to the purchaser at the tax sale is filed of record;
or
(2) before the second anniversary of the date that the
deed executed to the purchaser is filed of record, if on the date
that the suit to collect the delinquent tax was filed the property
was:
(A) the residence homestead of the owner; or
(B) land appraised or eligible to be appraised
under Subchapter C or D, Chapter 23.
(b) If a person other than the purchaser at the tax sale or
the person's successor in interest pays taxes on the property
during the applicable limitations period and until the commencement
of an action challenging the validity of the tax sale and that
person was not served citation in the suit to foreclose the tax
lien, that limitations period does not apply to that person.
(c) When actions are barred by this section, the purchaser
at the tax sale or the purchaser's successor in interest has full
title to the property, precluding all other claims.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2296, ch. 841, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1136, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1192, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 33.55. EFFECT OF JUDGMENT ON ACCRUAL OF PENALTIES AND
INTEREST. A judgment for delinquent taxes does not affect the
accrual after the date of the judgment of penalties and interest
under this chapter on the taxes included in the judgment.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1111, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 33.56. VACATION OF JUDGMENT. (a) If, in a suit to
collect a delinquent tax, a court renders a judgment for
foreclosure of a tax lien on behalf of a taxing unit, any taxing
unit that was a party to the judgment may file a petition to vacate
the judgment on one or more of the following grounds:
(1) failure to join a person needed for just
adjudication under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, including a
taxing unit required to be joined under Section 33.44(a);
(2) failure to serve a person needed for just
adjudication under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, including a
taxing unit required to be joined under Section 33.44(a);
(3) failure of the judgment to adequately describe the
property that is the subject of the suit; or
(4) that the property described in the judgment was
subject to multiple appraisals for the tax years included in the
judgment.
(b) The taxing unit must file the petition under the same
cause number as the delinquent tax suit and in the same court.
(c) The taxing unit may not file a petition if a tax sale of
the property has occurred unless:
(1) the tax sale has been vacated by an order of a
court;
(2) the property was bid off to a taxing unit under
Section 34.01(j) and has not been resold; or
(3) the tax sale or resale purchaser, or the
purchaser's heirs, successors, or assigns, consents to the
petition.
(d) Consent of the purchaser to a petition may be shown by:
(1) a written memorandum signed by the purchaser and
filed with the court;
(2) the purchaser's joinder in the taxing unit's
petition;
(3) a statement of the purchaser made in open court on
the record in a hearing on the petition; or
(4) the purchaser's signature of approval to an agreed
order to grant the petition.
(e) A copy of the petition must be served in a manner
authorized by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, on each
party to the delinquent tax suit.
(f) If the court grants the petition, the court shall enter
an order providing that:
(1) the judgment, any tax sale based on that judgment,
and any subsequent resale are vacated;
(2) any applicable tax deed or applicable resale deed
is canceled;
(3) the delinquent tax suit is revived; and
(4) except in a case in which judgment is vacated under
Subsection (a)(4), the taxes, penalties, interest, and attorney's
fees and costs, and the liens that secure each of those items, are
reinstated.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 626, § 1, eff. August 30,
1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1430, § 25, eff.
Sept. 1, 2001.
SUBCHAPTER D. TAX MASTERS
§ 33.71. MASTERS FOR TAX SUITS. (a) The court may, in
delinquent tax suits, for good cause appoint a master in chancery
for each case as desired, who shall be a citizen of this state and
not an attorney for either party to the action, nor related to
either party, who shall perform all of the duties required by the
court, be under orders of the court, and have the power the master
of chancery has in a court of equity.
(b) The order of reference to the master may specify or
limit the master's powers, and may direct the master to report only
upon particular issues, or to do or perform particular acts, or to
receive and report evidence only, and may fix the time and place for
beginning and closing the hearings and for the filing of the
master's report.
(c) Subject to the limitations and specifications stated in
the order, the master may:
(1) regulate all proceedings in every hearing before
the master and do all acts and take all measures necessary or proper
for the efficient performance of duties under the order;
(2) require the production of evidence upon all
matters embraced in the reference, including the production of
books, papers, vouchers, documents, and other writings applicable
to the case;
(3) rule upon the admissibility of evidence, unless
otherwise directed by the order of reference;
(4) put witnesses on oath, and examine them; and
(5) call the parties to the action and examine them
upon oath.
(d) When a party requests, the master shall make a record of
the evidence offered and excluded in the same manner as provided for
a court sitting in the trial of a case.
(e) The clerk of the court shall forthwith furnish the
master with a copy of the order of reference.
(f) The parties may procure the attendance of witnesses
before the master by the issuance and service of process as provided
by law.
(g) A pretrial ruling of a tax master from which a mandamus
is sought must be appealed to the referring court before the
initiation of mandamus proceedings before the court of appeals.
(h) Notwithstanding any other law or requirement, an
attorney appointed a master under this section may practice law in
the referring court if otherwise qualified to do so.
Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5058, ch. 916, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1983. Transferred from § 1.13, and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd
Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 2001,
77th Leg., ch. 326, § 1, eff. May 24, 2001.
§ 33.72. REPORT TRANSMITTED TO COURT; NOTICE. (a) At
the conclusion of any hearing conducted by a master that results in
a recommendation of a final judgment or on the request of the
referring court, the master shall transmit to the referring court
all papers relating to the case, with the master's signed and dated
report.
(b) After the master's report has been signed, the master
shall give to the parties participating in the hearing notice of the
substance of the report. The master's report may contain the
master's findings, conclusions, or recommendations. The master's
report must be in writing in a form as the referring court may
direct. The form may be a notation on the referring court's docket
sheet.
(c) If the master's report recommends a final judgment,
notice of the right of appeal to the judge of the referring court
shall be given to all parties.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.73. COURT ACTION ON MASTER'S REPORT; MASTER'S
COMPENSATION. (a) After the master's report is filed, and unless
a party has filed a written notice of appeal to the referring court,
the court may confirm, modify, correct, reject, reverse, or
recommit the report as the court may deem proper and necessary in
the particular circumstances of the case.
(b) The court shall award reasonable compensation to the
master to be taxed as costs of suit.
Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5058, ch. 916, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1983. Transferred from § 1.13, and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd
Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.74. APPEAL OF RECOMMENDATION OF FINAL JUDGMENT TO
THE REFERRING COURT OR ON REQUEST OF THE REFERRING COURT. (a) Any
party is entitled to a hearing by the judge of the referring court,
if within 10 days, computed in the manner provided by Rule 4 of the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, after the master gives the notice
required by Section 33.72(c), an appeal of the master's report is
filed with the referring court. The first day of the appeal time to
the referring court begins on the day after the date on which the
master gives the notice.
(b) The notice required by Section 33.72(c) may be given in
open court or may be given by first class mail. If the notice is
given by first class mail the notice is considered to have been
given on the third day after the date of the mailing.
(c) All appeals to the referring court shall be in writing
specifying the findings and conclusions of the master that are
objected to and the appeal shall be limited to those findings and
conclusions.
(d) On appeal to the referring court, the parties may
present witnesses as in a hearing de novo only on the issues raised
in the appeal.
(e) Notice of any appeal to the referring court shall be
given to opposing counsel under Rule 72 of the Texas Rules of Civil
Procedure.
(f) If an appeal to the referring court is filed by a party,
any other party may file an appeal to the referring court not later
than the seventh day after the date the initial appeal was filed.
(g) The referring court, after notice to the parties, shall
hold a hearing on all appeals not later than the 45th day after the
date on which the initial appeal was filed with the referring court.
(h) Before a hearing before a master, the parties may waive
the right of appeal to the referring court in writing or on the
record.
(i) The failure to appeal to the referring court, by waiver
or otherwise, a master's report that is approved by the referring
court does not deprive any party of the right to appeal to or
request other relief from a court of appeals or the supreme court.
The date of the signing of an order or judgment by the referring
court is the controlling date for the purposes of appeal to or
request for other relief from a court of appeals or the supreme
court.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.75. DECREE OR ORDER OF COURT. If an appeal to the
referring court is not filed or the right to an appeal to the
referring court is waived, the findings and recommendations of the
master become the decree or order of the referring court on the
referring court's signing an order or decree conforming to the
master's report.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.76. JURY TRIAL DEMANDED. (a) In a trial on the
merits, if a jury trial is demanded and a jury fee is paid, as
prescribed by Rule 216, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the master
shall refer any matters requiring a jury back to the referring court
for a full trial before the referring court and jury. However, the
master shall conduct all pretrial work necessary to prepare the
case for a jury trial.
(b) The master may require all parties to submit a proposed
jury charge or other pretrial order or sanction the parties for
failure to present or prepare a proper pretrial order.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.77. EFFECT OF MASTER'S REPORT PENDING
APPEAL. Pending appeal of the master's report to the referring
court, the decisions and recommendations of the master are in full
force and effect and are enforceable as an order of the referring
court, except for orders providing for incarceration or for the
appointment of a receiver.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.78. MASTERS MAY NOT BE APPOINTED UNDER TEXAS RULES
OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. A court may not appoint a master under Rule
171, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, in a delinquent tax suit.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.79. IMMUNITY. A master appointed under this
subchapter has the judicial immunity of a district judge. All
existing immunity granted masters by law, express or implied,
continues in full force and effect.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 33.80. COURT REPORTER. A court reporter is not
required during a hearing held by a master appointed under this
subchapter. A party, the master, or the referring court may provide
for a reporter during the hearing. The record may be preserved by
any other means approved by the master. The referring court or
master may tax the expense of preserving the record as costs.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 525, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
SUBCHAPTER E. SEIZURE OF REAL PROPERTY
§ 33.91. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO SEIZURE BY
MUNICIPALITY. (a) After notice has been provided to a person, the
person's real property, whether improved or unimproved, is subject
to seizure by a municipality for the payment of delinquent ad
valorem taxes, penalties, and interest the person owes on the
property and the amount secured by a municipal health or safety lien
on the property if:
(1) the property:
(A) is in a municipality;
(B) is less than one acre; and
(C) has been abandoned for at least one year;
(2) the taxes on the property are delinquent for:
(A) each of the preceding five years; or
(B) each of the preceding three years if a lien on
the property has been created on the property in favor of the
municipality for the cost of remedying a health or safety hazard on
the property; and
(3) the tax collector of the municipality determines
that seizure of the property under this subchapter for the payment
of the delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest, and of a
municipal health and safety lien on the property, would be in the
best interest of the municipality and the other taxing units after
determining that the sum of all outstanding tax and municipal
claims against the property plus the estimated costs under Section
33.48 of a standard judicial foreclosure exceed the anticipated
proceeds from a tax sale.
(b) The seizure and sale may not be set aside or voided
because of any error in determination.
(c) For purposes of this section, a property is presumed to
have been abandoned for at least one year if, during that period,
the property has remained vacant and a lawful act of ownership of
the property has not been exercised. The tax collector of a
municipality may rely on the affidavit of any competent person with
personal knowledge of the facts in determining whether a property
has been abandoned or vacant. For purposes of this subsection:
(1) property is considered vacant if there is an
absence of any activity by the owner, a tenant, or a licensee
related to residency, work, trade, business, leisure, or
recreation; and
(2) "lawful act of ownership" includes mowing or
cutting grass or weeds, repairing or demolishing a structure or
fence, removing debris, or other form of property upkeep or
maintenance performed by or at the request of the owner of the
property.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1017, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 2, eff. June 18, 2003.
§ 33.911. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO SEIZURE BY
COUNTY. (a) After notice has been provided to a person, the
person's real property, whether improved or unimproved, is subject
to seizure by a county for the payment of delinquent ad valorem
taxes, penalties, and interest the person owes on the property if:
(1) the property:
(A) is in the county;
(B) is not in a municipality; and
(C) has been abandoned for at least one year;
(2) the taxes on the property are delinquent for each
of the preceding five years; and
(3) the county tax assessor-collector determines that
seizure of the property under this subchapter for the payment of the
delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest would be in the best
interest of the county and the other taxing units after determining
that the sum of all outstanding tax and county claims against the
property plus the estimated costs under Section 33.48 of a standard
judicial foreclosure exceed the anticipated proceeds from a tax
sale.
(b) The seizure and sale may not be set aside or voided
because of any error in determination.
(c) For purposes of this section, a property is presumed to
have been abandoned for at least one year if, during that period,
the property has remained vacant and a lawful act of ownership of
the property has not been exercised. The tax collector of a county
may rely on the affidavit of any competent person with personal
knowledge of the facts in determining whether a property has been
abandoned or vacant. For purposes of this subsection:
(1) property is considered vacant if there is an
absence of any activity by the owner, a tenant, or a licensee
related to residency, work, trade, business, leisure, or
recreation; and
(2) "lawful act of ownership" includes mowing or
cutting grass or weeds, repairing or demolishing a structure or
fence, removing debris, or other form of property upkeep or
maintenance performed by or at the request of the owner of the
property.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 3, eff. June 18,
2003.
§ 33.912. NOTICE. (a) A person is considered to have
been provided the notice required by Sections 33.91 and 33.911 if by
affidavit or otherwise the collector shows that the assessor or
collector for the municipality or county mailed the person each
bill for municipal or county taxes required to be sent the person by
Section 31.01:
(1) in each of the five preceding years, if the taxes
on the property are delinquent for each of those years; or
(2) in each of the three preceding years, if:
(A) the taxes on the property are delinquent for
each of those years; and
(B) a lien on the property has been created on the
property in favor of the municipality for the cost of remedying a
health or safety hazard on the property.
(b) If notice under Subsection (a) is not provided, the
notice required by Section 33.91 or 33.911 shall be given by the
assessor or the collector for the municipality or county, as
applicable, by:
(1) serving, in the manner provided by Rule 21a, Texas
Rules of Civil Procedure, a true and correct copy of the application
for a tax warrant filed under Section 33.92 to each person known, or
constructively known through reasonable inquiry, to own or have an
interest in the property;
(2) publishing in the English language a notice of the
assessor's intent to seize the property in a newspaper published in
the county in which the property is located if, after exercising
reasonable diligence, the assessor or collector cannot determine
ownership or the address of the known owners; or
(3) if required under Subsection (g), posting in the
English language a notice of the assessor's intent to seize the
property if, after exercising reasonable diligence, the assessor or
collector cannot determine ownership or the address of the known
owners.
(c) A notice under Subsection (b)(1) shall be provided at
the time of filing the application for a tax warrant and must be
supported by a certificate of service appearing on the application
in the same manner and form as provided by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of
Civil Procedure. The notice is sufficient if sent to the person's
last known address.
(d) A notice by publication or posting under Subsection (b)
must substantially comply with this subsection. The notice must:
(1) be published or posted at least 10 days but not
more than 180 days before the date the application for tax warrant
under Section 33.92 is filed;
(2) be directed to the owners of the property by name,
if known, or, if unknown, to "the unknown owners of the property
described below";
(3) state that the assessor or collector intends to
seize the property as abandoned property and that the property will
be sold at public auction without further notice unless all
delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest are paid before the sale
of the property; and
(4) describe the property.
(e) A description of the property under Subsection (d)(4) is
sufficient if it is the same as the property description appearing
on the current tax roll for the county or municipality.
(f) A notice by publication or posting under Subsection (b)
may relate to more than one property or to multiple owners of
property.
(g) For publishing a notice under Subsection (b)(2), a
newspaper may charge a rate that does not exceed the greater of two
cents per word or an amount equal to the published word or line rate
of that newspaper for the same class of advertising. If notice
cannot be provided under Subsection (b)(1) and there is not a
newspaper published in the county where the property is located, or
a newspaper that will publish the notice for the rate authorized by
this subsection, the assessor shall post the notice in writing in
three public places in the county. One of the posted notices must
be at the door of the county courthouse. Proof of the posting shall
be made by affidavit of the person posting the notice or by the
attorney for the assessor or collector.
(h) A person is considered to have been provided the notice
under Section 33.91 or 33.911 in the manner provided by Subsection
(b) if the application for the tax warrant under Section 33.92:
(1) contains the certificate of service as required by
Subsection (b)(1);
(2) is accompanied by an affidavit on behalf of the
applicable assessor or collector stating the fact of publication
under Subsection (b)(2), with a copy of the published notice
attached; or
(3) is accompanied by an affidavit of posting on
behalf of the applicable assessor or collector under Subsection (g)
stating the fact of posting and facts supporting the necessity of
posting.
(i) A failure to provide, give, or receive a notice provided
under this section does not affect the validity of a sale of the
seized property or title to the property.
(j) The costs of publishing notice under this section are
chargeable as costs and payable from the proceeds of the sale of the
property.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 4, eff. June 18,
2003.
§ 33.92. INSTITUTION OF SEIZURE. (a) After property
becomes subject to seizure under Section 33.91 or 33.911, the
collector for a municipality or a county, as appropriate, may apply
for a tax warrant to a district court in the county in which the
property is located.
(b) The court shall issue the tax warrant if by affidavit
the collector shows that the property is subject to seizure under
Section 33.91 or 33.911. The collector may show that the property
has been abandoned or vacant for at least one year, as required by
Section 33.91(a)(1)(C) or 33.911(a)(1)(C) by affidavit of any
competent person with personal knowledge of the relevant facts.
(c) The court issuing the tax warrant shall include a
statement as to the appraised value of the property according to the
most recent appraisal roll approved by the appraisal review board.
That value is presumed to be the market value of the property on the
date that the warrant is issued.
(d) The collector is entitled, on request in the
application, to recover attorney's fees in an amount equal to the
compensation specified in the contract with the attorney for
collection of the delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest on the
property if:
(1) the taxing unit served by the collector contracts
with an attorney under Section 6.30;
(2) the existence of the contract and the amount of
attorney's fees that equal the compensation specified in the
contract are supported by the affidavit of the collector; and
(3) the delinquent tax sought to be recovered is not
subject to an additional penalty under Section 33.07 or 33.08 at the
time the application is filed.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1017, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 5, eff. June 18, 2003.
§ 33.93. TAX WARRANT. (a) A tax warrant shall direct
the sheriff or a constable in the county and the collector for the
municipality or the county to seize the property described in the
warrant, subject to the right of redemption, for the payment of the
ad valorem taxes, penalties, and interest owing on the property
included in the application, any attorney's fees included in the
application as provided by Section 33.92(d), the amount secured by
a municipal health or safety lien on the property included in the
application, and the costs of seizure and sale. The warrant shall
direct the person whose property is seized to disclose to a person
executing the warrant the name and address if known of any other
person having an interest in the property.
(b) A bond may not be required of a municipality or county
for issuance or delivery of a tax warrant, and a fee or court cost
may not be charged for issuance or delivery of the warrant.
(c) On issuance of a tax warrant, the collector shall take
possession of the property pending its sale by the officer charged
with selling the property.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1017, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 6, eff. June 18, 2003.
§ 33.94. NOTICE OF TAX SALE. (a) After a seizure of
property, the collector for the municipality or county shall make a
reasonable inquiry to determine the identity and address of any
person, other than the person against whom the tax warrant is
issued, having an interest in the property. The collector shall
deliver as soon as possible a notice stating the time and place of
the sale and briefly describing the property seized to:
(1) the person against whom the warrant is issued,
including each person to whom notice was provided under Section
33.912(a);
(2) each person to whom notice was provided under
Section 33.912(b)(1); and
(3) any other person the collector determines has an
interest in the property if the collector can ascertain the address
of the other person.
(b) Failure to send or receive a notice required by this
section does not affect the validity of the sale of the seized
property or title to the property.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1017, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 319, § 7, eff. June 18, 2003.
§ 33.95. PURCHASER. A purchaser for value at or
subsequent to the tax sale may conclusively presume the validity of
the sale and takes free of any claim of a party with a prior interest
in the property subject to the provisions of Section 16.002(b),
Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and subject to applicable rights
of redemption.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1017, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997.
