Forms to apply for tax relief on storm-damaged properties are only available in English, creating a roadblock for residents who speak other languages just days away from the first filing deadline.
With more than 40 percent of Harris County residents speaking a language other than English at home the potential barrier could be widespread.
Harris County and the city provide alternative language options on some, but not all, official materials, such as voting forms and public announcements.
The deadline to apply for tax relief for damage caused by the May derecho is Tuesday; Oct. 21 is the deadline to apply for relief for damage caused by Hurricane Beryl as it tore through the city July 8.
Residents with questions about applying for tax relief, or who already have applied, can call the Harris Central Appraisal District at 713-957-7800 during business hours or go to its office, 13013 Northwest Freeway, where bilingual staff can help answer questions.
“We are always evaluating ways to improve our services to the property owners, including creating forms in Spanish,” said Jack Barnett, a spokesman for the Harris Central Appraisal District.
“Our goal is to hire bilingual customer service specialists. If someone calls the telephone information line, they have the option to request a Spanish speaking specialist. If one is not available, they can be put in a queue for the next available bilingual specialist,” Barnett said.
U.S. Census estimates show there are at least 1.9 million residents in Harris County who speak a language other than English at home, the highest number among counties in the state. With more than 4 million residents, the share of residents who speak a language other than English in Harris County amounts to 44 percent.
Under a 2019 state law, tax relief is available to residents whose properties are at least 15 percent damaged if it is located in an area declared a disaster by the governor. Depending on the damage of the home, property owners can have a portion of their taxes exempted. Exemptions also can be applied to personal property used for income production and certain manufactured homes.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office has a template tax relief form for counties to provide to residents, but the form is available only in English. There are other forms that are provided in Spanish, but they are for different purposes.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office was not immediately available for comment.
Barnett said the county uses the template provided by the state, which is available on the appraisal district’s website: hcad.org. The county provides dozens of other forms for different purposes, but they are all in English. The only other form readily available in another language is for disputing property appraisals, which is in Spanish.
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