The contents of a business count, too.
Equipment
Computers, machinery and other movable items used to produce income.
Furniture & fixtures
Desks, chairs, shelving and other business furnishings.
Inventory & supplies
Goods held for sale and other property categories covered by the rendition instructions.
A business can have personal-property reporting duties even when it rents its premises. Start by listing property used for income production, its location and ownership as of January 1.
Official source: Business Personal Property Rendition, Form 50-144 ↗
Check the exemption and the filing.
The current Form 50-144 says a person who elects not to render must still file a statement or report certifying that they reasonably believe the property’s value is no more than $125,000. Do not treat a low asset value as permission to ignore the paperwork.
Check the current form’s ownership, location and related-business questions. Do not assume every account or related entity qualifies for a separate exemption. Ask the appraisal district how the rules apply to your circumstances.
Official source: Current form and exemption instructions ↗
Make one useful asset list.
Use the free spreadsheet below as a working record. Add one row for each item or sensible group. Keep evidence of purchases and note whether property is leased, consigned, disposed of or owned by someone else.
The template is an organisation tool, not a substitute for the official rendition. Complete the required valuation fields using the official instructions, rather than assuming your accounting depreciation equals market value.
- Confirm the legal owner and property account.
- Record the January 1 location of the property.
- Reconcile the asset list to purchase and disposal records.
- Identify leased or consigned property separately.
- Keep inventory records and supporting invoices together.
Send it to the right appraisal district.
File the rendition and supporting documents with the appraisal district in the county where the property is taxable, not with the Comptroller. For most property, the usual deadline is April 15. A written extension request can extend it to May 15; check the district’s submission instructions and request timing.
Save the submitted form, extension request if applicable, and receipt. If you receive a notice that an exemption was denied or terminated, read it promptly because a separate rendition deadline can apply.
Official source: Filing instructions and deadlines ↗
Official source: HCAD accounts, forms and contact details ↗
Update the record when the business changes.
Keep a dated record of purchases, disposals, ownership changes, closures and moves. When the next reporting cycle comes around, those records make it easier to explain what changed.
A filing confirmation is not a tax-payment receipt. Track later appraisal notices and bills separately, and check the protest instructions if you disagree with an appraisal.