| FAQ | General FAQ's back to top |
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| Q | Where are the photographs and building sketches? |
| A | Effective Sept 1, 2005: Appraisal Districts websites will no longer be allowed to display photographs and building sketches for all properties. In accordance with Senate Bill 541, as passed by the Texas Legislature, information in appraisal records may not be posted on the Internet if the information is a photograph, sketch, or floor plan of an improvement to real property.back to top |
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| Q | My property information is wrong. How do I get it changed? |
| A | This site only displays the information provided by the appraisal district. You will need to contact the appraisal district and inform them of the wrong information. Each appraisal district has their own procedure for reporting changes.back to top |
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| Q | I do not want my information available on the web. How do I get it deleted? |
| A | The data that is being presented on this website is public record and available under laws governing the public's right to access public information. We cannot selectively remove or withhold this information.back to top |
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| Q | Why do I get an error message that says "Request Timed Out"? |
| A | This error generally occurs when the search criteria is too broad to complete the search before the set time limit. Narrow the search down by providing additional search criteria or try a different search option.back to top |
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| Q | Does the Appraisal District get audited? |
| A | The Central Appraisal District appraisals are audited by the State each year. Appraisals must be 100% of market value to ensure that school districts will not lose any state funding.back to top |
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| Q | Need additional property tax information? |
| A | Visit www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/proptax.htmlback to top |
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| Q | When I try to print a map and click on the 'Create Print Page' button nothing happens. |
| A | You may have a pop-up blocker enabled on your computer. To temporarily allow the print page to appear, hold the CTRL key down while clicking on the 'Create Print Page' button. Then print the map page as a normal web page.back to top |
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| Q | An error occurred while processing your request; please try back later.
Please contact your system administrator. |
| A | If you navigated to the Galveston CAD website using a search engine (Example: Google.com). The links that are provided are not correct. This will cause this error to occur on your search. To avoid this error type www.galvestoncad.org in the address bar of your browser; then navigate to your desired search.
Each Search Link should look something like this:
http://www.galvestoncad.org/Appraisal/...........NodeID=11
In most cases the "11" is missing and that is what is causing the error.back to top |
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| Q | Where are the value's when I search for my property? IN PROGRESS... |
| A | Click on the Blue Property ID Account number at the search results page. Then Click HISTORY for the values. After assessment notices go out for 2012 (Around April 1st); the 2012 values will be displayed.back to top |
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| FAQ | Tax Questions back to top |
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| Q | Who determines the tax rate? |
| A | The local governing bodies determine the tax rate. The Central Appraisal District only appraises property.back to top |
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| Q | What is Valuation Date? |
| A | Section 23.01 of the Texas Property Code states that "all taxable property is appraised at its market values as of January 1st".back to top |
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| Q | How is the actual rate established? |
| A | After determining the taxing unit's total budgetary needs, its elected governing body decides what actual tax rate it must levy to generate the amount of revenue needed. For example, the total assessed value of a jurisdiction is $10 million and $100,000 is needed for its budget. To fund the budget, its governing body must set a tax rate $1 per $100 valuation ($10 million multiplied by $1 / $100 valuation equals $100,000).back to top |
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| Q | What is Market Value? |
| A | Section 1.04 of the Texas Property Code defines market value as follows: 'the price in which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under prevailing market conditions if: (A) exposed for sale in the open market with a reasonable time for the seller to find a purchaser: (B) both the seller and the purchaser know of all the uses and purposes to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used and the enforceable restrictions on its use; and (C) both the seller and the purchaser seek to maximize their gains and neither is in a position to take advantage of the exigencies of the other".back to top |
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| Q | Can my value be legally based on something other than market value? |
| A | There are provisions for valuing agriculture/timber land at production value, exemptions for homeowners, persons over 65 years of age, exemptions for disabled veterans, etc. If you value notice fails to indicate any exemptions or special valuation to which you feel entitled, please contact the appraisal district immediately.back to top |
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| Q | Why do I receive a notice of appraised value? |
| A | The primary purpose of the notice is to inform you of the value change on your property, so you can determine if you wish to protest.back to top |
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| Q | What can I do if I disagree with my value? |
| A | 1. An informal meeting with an appraiser, if an agreement is not reached, then; 2. File a written protest for a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). You will be notified of your hearing date and time after your protest is filed. You are not required to be represented by an attorney. Evidence must be presented to the ARB in the following manner: A. In person; or B. By an authorized agent; or C. By affidavit (a notarized sworn statement). At the conclusion of the hearing the ARB will issue an order determining value and inform you of post ARB appeal.back to top |
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| Q | Is there any disadvantage to me if I appeal? |
| A | No, In fact, your local government encourages you to appeal if you sincerely question your assessment. Our taxing jurisdictions would like for all tax payers to be satisfied within the legal limits set by the state, and at the same time for everyone to be on a fair share basis. In the great majority of cases when an appraiser finds the taxpayer right, an adjustment is made immediately. The appraiser would like for each property owner to be satisfied. However, the appraiser has a duty to all taxpayers to be fair.back to top |
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| Q | Who is the Appraisal Review Board (ARB)? |
| A | The ARB is an independent panel of citizens responsible for hearing property protest.back to top |
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