Nonprofit organizations that qualify under Texas law to receive property tax exemptions must apply to the Smith County Appraisal District by May 1, 2017.

The May 1 deadline also applies to businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units, ship inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption, store certain goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days, construct, install or acquire pollution control property, own and operate energy storage systems, convert landfill-generated gas; or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use.

The nonprofit organizations that are eligible for property tax exemptions include but are not limited to certain charitable organizations, youth development organizations, religious organizations, non-profit private schools, cemeteries and veterans’ organizations. If a non-profit organization meets property tax exemption qualifications, the exemption can be approved immediately after the organization buys or acquires new property during the year.

Non-profit organizations must reapply if the property changes owners: if their qualifications for exemption change or if they acquire new property. In most cases, after non-profit organizations are granted a property tax exemption, they do not have to reapply annually unless the chief appraiser asks them to file again.

For more information about property tax exemptions that are available to businesses and non-profit organizations contact Smith County Appraisal District, 245 S.SE. Loop 323, Tyler, 903-510-8600, www.smithcad.org, before May 1. Details are also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/proptax.

– Smith County Appraisal District