The bill, H.B. No. 249, amends Section 31.031(a) of the Texas Tax Code to expand eligibility for installment payments of ad valorem taxes on residence homesteads. The current law applies to individuals who are either disabled or at least 65 years old and qualified for a specific exemption, or to disabled veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses. The amendment introduces a new category of eligibility for individuals who qualify for an exemption under Section 11.13 for properties located in counties with populations exceeding 1.5 million, where more than 70 percent of the population resides in a single municipality.

The bill specifies that the changes will only apply to ad valorem taxes imposed for tax years beginning on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for January 1, 2027. This legislative change aims to provide additional financial relief to eligible homeowners in densely populated counties by allowing them to pay their property taxes in installments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Tax Code 31.031 (Tax Code 31)