County Firms Lose Appeal On Personal Property Tax

An appeals court has ruled that the Harris County Appraisal District can collect lists of taxable personal property from companies doing business in the county. The decision Thursday by a panel of the 1st Court of Appeals was a huge legal victory for the county, which said it will help guarantee that homeowners won't pay more than their fair share of the property tax burden. Lawyers for the businesses essentially argued there was no requirement to file the lists because state legislators chose not to provide for a penalty if the lists were not submitted.