Property Tax • Beer & Wine Permits • Vehicle Registration • Voter Registration • Pay Taxes Online

Property Taxes

Property taxes are local taxes. Local officials value your property, set your tax rates, and collect your taxes. State law governs how this process works.

There are four main parts to the property tax system. The appraisal district values property, administers exemptions, and maintains current ownership information on the appraisal records. The appraisal review board is a panel made up of people from the local community. They are independent from the appraisal district. They settle any disagreements between the appraisal district and the property owner about the valuation of the property. The governing bodies of the taxing units, such as the city councils, school boards, or county commissioners decide the annual budgets and set the tax rates. This determines the total amount of taxes to be paid. The tax office calculates the levy, mails the statements, collects the taxes and distributes the tax revenue to the taxing units.

The Medina County Tax Office collects taxes for 8 taxing entities. All property in Medina County is taxable by the county and school districts, and there may also be additional taxes for cities and special districts.

Property taxes are a major source of funding for local services. They help pay for public schools, community health services, fire and police protection, streets, roads, flood control projects, and many other services.

The property tax is an ad valorem tax. Ad valorem is a Latin phrase which means according to value. The tax is based on the value of the property. For example the property tax on land valued at $10,000 will be ten times greater than land valued at $1,000.

All property is taxable unless state or federal law exempts all or part of the value. Total exemptions may be granted for public properties or those owned by qualifying organizations such as churches, schools, or charitable organizations. Homestead, over sixty-five, and disabled veterans exemptions are examples of partial exemptions, which reduce the taxable value on qualifying property.

Beer and Wine Permits

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) requires alcoholic beverage manufacturers, distributors, retailers, etc. to apply for licenses and permits before they may operate in the State of Texas. As an authorized agent for TABC, the Medina County Tax Office collects state and county fees on several different types of licenses and permits.

If you have proper identification and are the owner listed on the application. The Medina County Tax Office will issue a temporary receipt that must remain in public view on your premises until you receive your permanent license from TABC.

The fees shown on the application are State of Texas fees only. You will also have to pay Medina County fees, a state surcharge fee and, when appropriate, a renewal fee of $2.00. When you have received an application for beer license renewal from TABC, bring it to the Medina County Tax Office, 1102 15th Street, Hondo, TX 78861.

Beer licenses cannot be renewed earlier than 30 days before the renewal date. If you fail to renew your license on time, but apply for renewal between the first and 10th day after the renewal, a late fee of $100.00 will be added. If you fail to renew your license on time, and let more than 10 days go by after the renewal date, you will be required to do the following: 1) cease selling beer; and re-file with TABC.

The application for a new license will instruct you on where to go to get the application processed. Renewal applications can be obtained by visiting the Tax Office or can be processed by mail as long as the form is completely filled out, all signatures must be original and must be notarized. Payments can be made by check or money order or by cash if you choose to come by the office. Renewal applications by mail should be addressed to Loraine Neuman, RTA, Tax assessor-Collector, 1102 15th Street, Hondo, TX 78861.

If you have special information requests, or require additional information please call our office at 830-741-6100.

Motor Vehicle Registration

As a Texas Resident, state law requires you to register and title your vehicle. Auto tags can be renewed at the Medina County Tax Office in Hondo or at either of its sub-stations in Devine or Castroville, Texas. Please be sure to have current proof of liability insurance with you at the time of renewal registration.

Registration window stickers may also be renewed by mail. Send your renewal form, a photocopy of proof of insurance and your check for the registration amount PLUS $1.00 to: Medina County Tax Office, 1102, 15th Street, Hondo, TX 78861.

For more details about registering your vehicle click on www.dot.state.tx.us to access the Texas Department of Transportation.

Voter Registration

You can register to vote at any time; however, you must register at least 30 days before an election in which you wish to vote.

You only need to register one time, however, if you have an address change or name change you need to notify our office in writing as soon as possible.

You can register or update your registration at the Medina County Tax Office, 1102 15th Street, Hondo, TX 78861.

If you have recently moved, please provide our office with your new address as soon as possible. This process will help with the delivery of your voter registration certificate.

You can call the Medina County Tax Office at (830) 741-6100 and they will verify your registration, if you are not registered to vote or have an incorrect address our office will mail you a voter registration application.

You are eligible to register and vote if you are:

A) a citizen of the United States,
B) a resident of Medina County,
C) at least 18 years of age.
D) Not declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
E) Not a convicted felon, or if so convicted you have

1) fully discharged your sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or
2) been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to  vote.