HOUSTON – November 12, 2008 – Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt announces that his office has posted over 1.3 million 2008 Harris County property tax statements online at www.hctax.net. Beginning for 2008, the Harris County Tax Office assumed property tax collections for taxpayers in the Cities of West University Place, Tomball, Humble and the Harris County portion of New Caney Independent School District. Tax bills are now in the mail in Harris County.

    “856,621 Harris County homeowners’ 2008 tax bills totaled $1,638,494,573.10 vs. $1,546,766,136.10 for 2007, a 5.9% increase for the year,” said Paul Bettencourt. “Total 2008 tax bills for all property categories are up 12.2% from 2007, due to strong appraised value increases in commercial property,” he added.

    Bettencourt reminds taxpayers to “Get online instead of in line” to pay their 2008 property tax bills. The Tax Office accepts partial payment of property taxes and taxpayers may also use any combination of credit cards and/or e-Checks for payment online at www.hctax.net, and by touch-tone telephone with a credit card by calling 713-368-CARD (2273). For the first time Visa is accepted for property tax payments online. A non-refundable surcharge of 2.15% will be added to each credit card payment transaction processed online. For the use of Visa debit card, a flat fee of $3.95 is charged. E-checks are free of charge.

    “Remember Harris County Hurricane Ike victims are eligible to pay their 2008 property tax bill in 4 installments,” said Bettencourt. “Please visit the Tax Office web site at www.hctax.net to apply for the installment agreement and submit the form with your first payment,” he added.

    Due to the scheduled December 6th rollback election, North Forest ISD tax bills are not in the mail at this time. For more information, taxpayers may call 713-368-2000 or visit the Tax Office Web site at www.hctax.net.

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