West’s bill letting every homestead owner pay taxes in installments

The text as introduced · 357 words

89R3887 LHC-D

By: West
S.B. No. 2551

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of an individual to pay the ad valorem

taxes imposed on the individual's residence homestead in

installments.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 31.031, Tax Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.031. INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS OF RESIDENCE [ CERTAIN ]

HOMESTEAD TAXES.

SECTION 2. Sections 31.031(a-1) and (a-2), Tax Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(a-1) An individual [ to whom this section applies ] may pay a

taxing unit's taxes imposed on property that the person owns and

occupies as a residence homestead in four equal installments

without penalty or interest if the first installment is paid before

the delinquency date and is accompanied by notice to the taxing unit

that the person will pay the remaining taxes in three equal

installments. If the delinquency date is February 1, the second

installment must be paid before April 1, the third installment must

be paid before June 1, and the fourth installment must be paid

before August 1. If the delinquency date is a date other than

February 1, the second installment must be paid before the first day

of the second month after the delinquency date, the third

installment must be paid before the first day of the fourth month

after the delinquency date, and the fourth installment must be paid

before the first day of the sixth month after the delinquency date.

(a-2) Notwithstanding the deadline prescribed by Subsection

(a-1) for payment of the first installment, an individual [ to whom

this section applies ] may pay the taxes in four equal installments

as provided by Subsection (a-1) if the first installment is paid and

the required notice is provided before the first day of the first

month after the delinquency date.

SECTION 3. Section 31.031(a), Tax Code, is repealed.

SECTION 4. This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed

for a tax year beginning on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.