UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE TAX OFFICE

CHANGES TO VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE 88^TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, VEHICLE OWNERS WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A SAFETY INSPECTION TO REGISTER A NONCOMMERCIAL VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH A SAFETY INSPECTION WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED, VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE ASSESSED A REPLACEMENT FEE EQUIVALENT TO THE STATE PORTION OF THE SAFETY INSPECTION.

SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN VEHCLES ARE NOT IMPACTED BY THIS CHANGE. VEHICLES REGISTERED IN EL PASO COUNTY WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO EMISSION INSPECTIONS REQUIREMENTS BEFORE REGISTRATION. AS A REMINDER, AN INSPECTION IS REQUIRED FOR INITIAL OR RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION 90 DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION OR EXPIRATION OF YOUR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES. 

NEW ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD PROGRAM PROMOTED BY THE CITY OF EL PASO AND EL PASO COUNTY

ON JUNE 24, 2024, EL PASO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF EL PASO INITIATED A NEW ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD PROGRAM. ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE “LIBRARY CARD” IS TO SUPPLEMENT THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE PERSON AND PROOF OF RESIDENCE FOR ANY TYPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED WITHIN THESE TWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

HOWEVER, FOR ANY SERVICES REQUIRED FROM THE EL PASO COUNTY TAX OFFICE WHEN SEEKING VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND TITLING SERVICES, THE IDENTIFICATION CARD WILL NOT BE VALID AND UNACCEPTABLE. STATE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW THE TAX OFFICE TO ACCEPT THIS AS A FORM OF IDENTIFICATION AS IT MUST BE ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OR A STATE AGENCY.

WE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHY THE TAX OFFICE CANNOT ACCEPT THIS FORM OF IDENTIFICATION.

ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE EVENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE COUNTY TAX OFFICE AT 915-273-3430

Attention: Motor Vehicle Dealers

In anticipation and upcoming compliance of House Bill 718, all El Paso County Licensed Dealers will be required to start using the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle WebDealer Program starting March 1, 2025. 

To meet this deadline, all Motor Vehicle Dealers (Franchise, Independent, Wholesale, Motorcycle, House Trailer, Trailer/Semi-Trailer, and Independent Mobility) will have to submit their request for WebDealer access to the El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector. 

For information about setting up your WebDealer account, you may send an email to Web.Dealer@epcounty.com. 

We apologize for any inconvenience regarding this new process. 

Effective April 9, 2024 The Tax Office will have a New Telephone Number: (915) 273-3430

The new number will support our upcoming Tax Office Call Center where one phone number will provide access to all of our Tax Office Locations and information requests.

New Fee for Electric Vehicle Registrations

Electric Cars and Trucks (EV) registered on or after September 1, 2023, will be assessed an annual $200 fee at time of registration or renewal.   New electric vehicles issued two years of registration to match a two-year inspection will be assessed a $400 fee.

The EV fee will not apply to:

• Hybrids
• vehicles with combination fuel types
• motorcycles, mopeds, autocycles
• neighborhood electric vehicles
• governmental vehicles with exempt registration
• other vehicles for which no registration fee is due
• Disabled Veteran and other meritorious military license plates
• Trucks with a gross weight over 10,000 lbs.

Registrations renewed prior to September 1, 2023, will not be charged the EV fee regardless of when the registration expires.  Registrations renewed on or after September 1, 2023, will be assessed the EV fee regardless of when the registration expires.

Friendly Reminder - Court Ordered Title Changes or Transfers by Operation of Law

If you acquire a motor vehicle as a result of any court ordered judgement or other involuntary transfer of ownership such as: Decrees of Divorce, Probate Proceedings, Judicial Sales, Constitutional or Statutory Lien Foreclosures under the Property Code, etc. The new owner/purchaser must transfer the vehicle title within 30 days from the date of assignment or effective date signed by the Judge with the County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office to avoid a transfer penalty. Penalties start at $25 for every 30 day period and may not exceed $250.

TRC 501.145 & 501.146; Tax Code 152.066

72/144 Hour Temporary Permit Requirement

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Customers purchasing 72/144 Hour Temporary Permits thru any County Tax Offices or Full Service Deputy Office, customer is required to provide their current Certificate of their USDOT Number.  Any questions regarding this new requirement, contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center at (915) 594-6000.

*The Fee for a 72 Hour Permit is $25, plus a non-refundable processing and handling fee of $4.75 per permit.

* The Fee for a 144 Hour Permit is $50, plus a non-refundable processing and handling fee of $4.75 per permit.

In addition to the above requirements, it will be the El Paso County Tax Office policy to require a copy of the carrier’s current USDOT Number Registration MCS-150 Form prior to issuance of the temporary permit.

NOTE:  Copies of a Certificate of Authority may be obtained thru the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/forms or may request the form by telephone at 1-800-832-5660 to have the forms mailed to you. 

30-Day Permit Requirements

Effective April 18, 2022, customers are required to present the following documentation to obtain a 30-Day Permit at any County Tax Office and Full Service Contracted Office:

• Completed Form VTR-66*
• Proof of financial responsibility (insurance)
• Proof of passing vehicle inspection that is current for the duration of the timed permit (Vehicle Inspection Report [VIR] or mytxcar.org)
• Current government-issued photo identification
• Power of Attorney (POA), if requested by a third-party other than a dealer, leasing company, or entity acting on behalf of a dealer or leasing company.

*The Fee is $25, plus a non-refundable processing and handling fee of $4.75 per permit.

Forms available online at www.TxDMV.gov

LICENSED DEALERS

Click the link below for information on the Proper Use of Forms
VTR 271-A & VTR 41-A

Dealer Guide on the Proper Use of Forms VTR 271-A and VTR 41-A

Licensed Motor Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Dealer Annual Vehicle Inventory Declaration

Effective January 1, 2022, the County Tax Office will be monitoring Dealer Inventory Declaration’s for compliance. Specifically, if the report is not turned in or a report reflects fewer than five motor vehicle sales. There are no exceptions, however a dealer can appeal their case to the TXDMV if an inventory report was sent in error.

Effective September 1, 2021, Sec. 23.121 Dealers Motor Vehicle Inventory; Value

If a dealer fails to file a declaration by February 1st of each year or sells fewer than five motor vehicles in the prior year, the Chief Appraiser (County Tax Assessor-Collector) shall report the dealer to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle (TXDMV). The TXDMV will initiate cancellation of the Dealer’s GDN License. A report by the Chief Appraiser (County Tax Assessor-Collector) to the TXDMV is prima facie grounds to cancel the Dealer’s GDN License under Transportation Code 503.038 (a)(9) or refusal by the TXDMV to renew the Dealer’s General Distinguishing Number (GDN).

Additional information can be obtained by calling our Enforcement Division at 915-771-2332

Attention all DV License Plate Recipients without an ISA Symbol.

Effective January 1, 2022, Vehicles with DV License Plates are not eligible to park in designated handicap parking spaces unless the ISA Symbol is displayed on the DV License Plate, or a Blue or Red Disabled Parking Placard is hanging from the rearview mirror or displayed on the dashboard.  Veterans with DV Plates may apply for a Disabled Parking Placard or DV License Plates with an ISA symbol if they meet the eligibility requirements at any one of our offices closest to them. Vehicles parked in a handicap parking space with DV License Plates without the ISA Symbol or a Handicap Placard will be subject to a fine of $1,250 and/or up to 50 hours of community service when cited by Law Enforcement.

This change is due to the passage of SB 792 in the 87th Legislative Session. For more information click on the link below:

Medically Certified

New Policy for Mail-in Registration Renewals

Our policies for check acceptance and registration mail in renewals has been amended to require the registered owner(s) or the check writer’s driver’s license number, date of birth, and expiration date.  Therefore, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, the driver’s license information must either be recorded on the check being submitted for payment or a photocopy of the driver’s license must be submitted along with the registration renewal request as clearly stated on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Renewal Notice.  Failure to record this information may result in a rejection and late penalties.  We appreciate your cooperation.

1. Coming soon

The El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector, Ruben P. Gonzalez is proud to announce the opening of our brand new County Tax Office. This office will be located in West El Paso, at 424 Executive Center, Suite 120. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This new location will offer better accessibility, and customer service to our citizens of West El Paso making their title and registration process a convenient and pleasant experience. Please continue to visit our webpage for additional updates.

2. Bingo Award Fees

Effective January 1, 2020, Bingo Award Fees will be collected by the El Paso County Tax Office, for more information please click on the link below: http://epcounty.com/taxoffice/licensing.htm

3. Increased Transparency

Property Tax Items of Interest from the 86th Legislative Session SB 2 – Texas Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2019 and other Property Tax Bills

Creates a searchable statewide Database that gives taxpayers information regarding tax rates.
Property owners will see how each jurisdiction’s proposed rates directly affect their individual bill
Provides information about which jurisdiction has proposed raising their property tax bills and when they can participate in the rate setting process. That information would be provided ahead of time.

County Tax Assessor Website will Post for each taxing unit:
Tax rate calculation forms used to calculate the taxing unit’s no-new-revenue and rollback tax rates for the most recent five years beginning with the 2020 tax year, as certified by the designated officer or employee.

• The applicable forms for the current tax year not later than August 1
• The name and official contact information for each member of the unit’s governing body.
• Improved Tax Notices
• Notices to provide Property Owners a plain language comparison to the rate they are proposing so taxpayers can more easily see the difference in comparison to what they paid last year versus the present year.

Firefighter, volunteer firefighter and emergency medical services personnel addresses are confidential. Effective Immediately (HB 2446, Filed w/o Governor’s signature)
State Officers elected statewide or members of the legislature addresses are confidential. Effective Immediately (SB 662, signed 6/4/19)

4. Changes to the Manner in which Property Tax Rates are Set

Replaces reference to “Effective” tax rate with “No-New-Revenue” rate.

Replaced reference to “Rollback” rate with “Voter-approval tax rate”.

Lowers the Voter-approval tax rate to 3.5% from the current 8.0% for cities, counties and special purpose districts. But, those units can increase their property tax levies by $500,000 a year without triggering an election in some cases.

Hospital Districts (UMC), Junior Colleges (EPCC) maintain the original rollback/Voter-approval rate of 8.0%

School Districts are carved out of the bill, but they are limited to a 2.5% revenue increase (HB 3) Effective 9/1/19 (signed 6/12/19) There is a three year carry-over provision which lets taxing units bank unused revenue growth.

Any Unused Amount of the 1.035 multiplier, or 3.5% voter-approval rate is termed an incremental amount. (Generally calculated as the difference between the rollback tax rate and the actual tax rate for the current tax year and each of the four preceding tax years.)

The incremental amount available each year carries forward to the next/future year(s) to be added to the 1.035 multiplier to increase the Rollback Rate over the 1.035 limit. These incremental amounts accumulate year on year.

Incremental rate is considered to be zero for each tax year before 2020.

If a taxing unit proposes a rate that exceeds the voter approval rate, an automatic ratification election would take place in November. Rollback Elections are now automatic for taxing units other than school districts – No need for taxpayer to petition for a Rollback Election if adopted rate exceeds rollback rate.

New relaxed rules allowing entities to raise taxes above rollback rate in the following a disaster without requiring voter approval. Prohibits the governing body of a taxing unit from adopting a budget for a fiscal year or take any other action that has the effect of decreasing the total compensation to which a first responder employed by the taxing entity was entitled in the preceding fiscal year of the taxing unit.

Creates Property Tax Advisory Board in the Office of the Comptroller. This Board is to make recommendations to the comptroller that improve effectiveness and efficiency in the property tax system.

5. Property Appraisals: Reforms to Increase Efficiency and Transparency between Property Owners and the ARB, (Appraisal Review Board)

Expands opportunities for property owner to protest or appeal their appraised values through after-hours, evening and weekend protests and requiring notices from appraisal districts to be issued electronically

Appraisal Districts must appraise properties in using appraisal manuals prepared and issued by the Comptroller.

Property owner who establishes that ARB had final determination of a protest is entitled to a final determination by the District Court. (HB 380, signed 5/24/19)

Property Owners may request that a notice of a protest hearing before the ARB be delivered by certified mail or electronic mail. (HB 1060 signed 6/10/19)

To appeal an ARB order, a property owner must file a request for binding arbitration not later than the 60th day (changed from 45th day) after the date the property owner received notice of the order. (HB 1802, signed 5/17/19)

The Deadline to file an application for an allocation of the value of certain property for ad valorem purposes is May 1 (changed from April 1).

Chief Appraiser may file a motion with the ARB to change the appraisal roll to correct an error that resulted in an incorrect appraised value for an owner’s property at any time prior to the date the taxes become delinquent. Must qualify as owner’s residence. (HB 2159, signed 6/4/19)

Provides contents that must be included in a notice of appraised value that is sent to a property owner. (SB 2060, signed 6/10/19) An eligible person who is 65 or older may receive both a disabled and an elderly residence homestead exemption in the same year if the person receives the exemption with respect to taxes levied by different taxing units. (HB 2441, signed 6/5/19)

The County Tax-Assessor, Appraisal District, Chief Appraiser or ARB may not be party to a proceeding to adjudicate ownership of property except as prescribed by this title. (SB 1943, signed 6/10/19)

Chief Appraiser and a property owner of the designated agent may file a joint motion with the ARB notifying the board that the chief appraiser and the property owner or designated agent have agreed to a disposition of the protest and request the board to issue an order. Order must contain the terms of the disposition of the protest. (SB 2531, signed 6/10/19)

6. Tax Sales

Taxing units may use online bidding and sale for the resale of property purchased by that taxing unit at a tax sale. (HB 1652, signed 6/14/19)

Owner of real property sold at a tax sales is prohibited from transferring the owner’s right of redemption to another person. (SB 1642, signed 6/14/19)

7. Tax Payment

Persons serving on Active Duty in any branch of the United States armed forces may pay their delinquent taxes without penalty or interest regardless of whether there is a war or national emergency declared in accordance with federal law. New: a delinquent tax for which a person defers payment that is not paid on or before the date the deferral period expires accrues interest at a rate of 6% for each year or portion of a year the tax remains unpaid; and does not incur a penalty. (HB 1883, signed 6/10/19)

Governing Body of a taxing unit may waive penalties and interest if an error by a mortgagee results in failure to pay ad valorem tax. (HB 1885, signed 6/7/19)

Provides guidance on property exempted from property taxes in a disaster area (SB 443, signed 6/4/19)

Description of the procedure for the payment of certain ad valorem tax refunds. (SB1856, 6/14/19)

8. For information on Property Tax Collections and Appraisals

For additional information on property tax collections contact:

Consolidated Tax Office
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/tax-office/pay-your-taxes

For additional information on property tax appraisals contact:

El Paso Central Appraisal District
http://www.epcad.org

9. Refund Information

Effective October 1, 2019, the County Tax Office will no longer process refunds automatically. Refunds will only be issued upon request. If you feel a refund is owed on your transaction, you will need to submit a Refund Request Form and the Registration Receipt for the Transaction to the El Paso County Tax Office Accounting Department. The Refund Request Form is available in our offices and on our website below, under FORMS.

Independent Runner License Information

Effective February 19, 2019

In the interest of Fraud Prevention under the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Performance Quality Recognition Program and our commitment to provide better Customer Service, we are taking a proactive approach by centralizing ALL transactions submitted by Independent Title Runners to be processed at our Main Branch Office located at 301 Manny Martinez Dr. 

For questions relating to this new process, please contact the Branch Manager at 771-2308.

If you would like information on obtaining an Independent Runner License, please contact our Tax Office,Enforcement Department at 771-2310.

United States (U.S.) Army Plate Redesigned

At the request of the U.S. Army, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle (TxDMV) recently redesigned all U.S. Army license plates, which include the Disabled Veteran U.S. Army; Honorably Discharged U.S. Army; Retired U.S. Army; and U.S. Army license plates. All U.S. Army license plate designs were changed by replacing the Army seal with the Army star emblem.

Army Emblem Used on Old Plate Designs	New Plate Designs

The U.S. Army license plate(s) currently displayed on your vehicle need to be replaced with the redesigned U.S. Army license plate(s). Beginning January 1, 2019, the TxDMV will begin the replacement process. Replacement license plate(s) will be mailed to you a few weeks after you renew your vehicle registration, at no additional charge. Your license plate number will not change.
Please remove the old license plate(s) from your vehicle upon receipt of the new license plate(s). Please deface the old license plates in a manner that renders them unusable by others or return the old plate(s) to your County Tax Assessor-Collector office for destruction.
Please contact TxDMV Special Plates Unit staff at (512) 374-5010 if you have any questions.

New Law Regarding Certified Copies of Title (CCO)

On January 1, 2019, a new law related to Certified Copies of Title (CCOs) will take effect. Senate Bill 2076 passed by the 85th Legislature amended Transportation Code, Section 501.134(d), to provide that a lawfully obtained CCO supersedes and invalidates any previously issued title or certified copy.
This change will become effective in the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles system at the start of business on December 31, 2018.
Texas Dealers who take vehicles in on trade should be particularly aware of this change.

When buying a vehicle avoid any unwanted surprises. It is advisable that you research the vehicle first.
- For a small fee and security of mind, check status of title
Learn more