Property Tax Professionals
- The Texas Tax Professional Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at TDLR's North Campus, 1106 Clayton Lane, in Austin. The agenda will be available online as soon as it is finalized. The meeting will be broadcast and available for viewing via RealPlayer.
Transition to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
As of September 1, 2009 the Board of Tax Professional Examiners will be abolished and its functions will transfer to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The goal is to make this transition as transparent as possible. See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
Taxes are the primary financial resource for the operation of governmental entities in Texas. The Property Taxation Professional Certification Act was enacted by the legislature to establish standards that assure the people of Texas that property tax appraisal, assessment and collection of property taxes is practiced by persons who are professional, knowledgeable, competent and ethical.
HB 2447, passed in the 81st Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, made some major changes to the landscape for the registration of Property Tax Professionals in Texas. First, HB 2447 abolished the Board of Tax Professional Examiners and transferred its obligations, property, full-time equivalent positions, rights, powers, and duties to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This change is effective September 1, 2009.
This web page is the starting point for accessing all of the information you need to become registered or to maintain your registration as a property tax professional.
Who is TDLR?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is the state's occupational regulatory agency responsible for the regulation of 29 occupations and industries.
The regulated industries are diverse, ranging from boxing to electricians, from elevators to auctioneers. TDLR is governed by a seven member commission whose members are appointed by the Governor. To prohibit even the appearance of conflicts of interest, no commissioner may have a financial interest in any of the regulated programs.
HB 2447 also creates the Texas Tax Professional Advisory Committee, with seven members appointed by the Commission of Licensing and Regulation, to advise TDLR on property tax professional regulatory issues.
The Texas Tax Professional Advisory Committee will have as members:
- Two members who are certified under this chapter as Registered Professional Appraisers
- Two members who are certified under this chapter as Registered Texas Collectors or Registered Texas Assessors; and
- Three members who represent the public.
HB 2447 also has the following provisions:
The bill eliminates licensing and administrative fee caps and authorizes TDLR to set fees in amounts necessary to cover the costs of the Department's tax professional regulatory program. Fees will not increase in FY 2010, however.
The bill eliminates the 30-day grace period for registration renewal and requires TDLR to create late renewal fees based on standard renewal fees.
The bill requires the Comptroller of Public Accounts to enter into a memorandum of understanding with TDLR to provide information on tax professional educational needs, to review and approve all required educational courses, examinations, and continuing education courses, and to provide assistance regarding administrative proceedings and in prosecuting violations.
For more information about the Property Tax Professionals program, e-mail TDLR at tax.professionals@license.state.tx.us.
