Tax assessor-collectors in Texas are local officials responsible for calculating property tax bills and collecting various taxes and fees on behalf of the state, county, and other taxing entities.
Each Texas county has an elected tax assessor-collector, apart from some very small counties where the sheriff’s office may fulfill the duties of the tax assessor-collector.
The duties of a tax assessor-collector include:
- Collecting property taxes (but not setting the rate)
- Collecting various other fees for the state and county
- Processing motor vehicle title transfers
- Issuing motor vehicle registration and licenses.
In counties that do not have a designated Elections Administrator, tax assessor-collectors are also responsible for registering voters.
Chapter 6 of the Tax Code lays out the specific responsibilities and powers of county tax-assessor collectors.
Tax Assessor-Collector Qualifications
Tax assessor-collectors are elected to four-year terms. A person must meet the following qualifications to become a tax assessor-collector:
- U.S. Citizen
- Resident of Texas for at least 12 consecutive months
- Resident of the county for at least six consecutive months
- Registered to vote in the county
- At least 18 years of age
- No felony conviction
While in office, a tax assessor-collector must complete 20 hours of continuing education every year.
