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Viewers Ask About Overpaid Taxes

By Amy Davis

POSTED: Thursday, May 14, 2009
UPDATED: 7:11 am CDT May 14, 2009

You're asking Amy about property tax money that may be owed to you.

Tuesday, we told you about $37 million sitting at the Harris County Tax Office. It's money thousands of Houstonians overpaid, but to get it back, you have to ask for it.

KPRC Local 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis is answering your questions about your money.

We put a link on Click2Houston.com to the Harris County Tax Office database that shows who is owed money. It has received thousands of hits, but some of you still have questions.

None of the people we tracked down had ever heard of this list on the Harris County Tax Office Web site that shows taxpayers who are owed money, but we found their names right online.

"Come check," Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Leo Vasquez said. "We want to get the money back to your hands."

Vasquez said if you don't find and claim the cash in 3 years, you lose your right to that money. Last year, taxpayers forfeited $7.3 million.

Shelia called and asked us if Harris County keeps all of that money. 

The tax office said the unclaimed cash is divided among all of the agencies that tax your property, like school districts and municipal utility districts. Of that $7.3 million last year, Harris County received $2,557,170.32.

"Why not just give them a credit?" Davis asked Vasquez, referring to the taxpayers who overpaid the money unknowingly.

"Again, unfortunately, it's the tax code that forces us to ask for an actual statement or affirmative statement saying, 'I want the money back,' or, 'Please apply it to next year’s taxes,'" Vasquez answered.

  He made it clear his office has to follow the rules of the Texas Property Tax Code, to which viewer "MBivey" commented on Click2Houston.com, "It is time to make the state legislature take notice and make real, lasting change to protect your interests. Make them listen and hold them accountable."

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The views expressed are not those of Click2Houston.com, KPRC or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum. (Please note the 'Like' and 'Report' tabs.) By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use.

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