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The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) has begun the process of mailing personal property rendition forms to businesses known to have been operating in Harris County during 2019. The appraisal district is offering free workshops to help business owners complete the required personal property rendition forms before the April 15 filing deadline.

If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce income, you must file a rendition with the Harris County Appraisal District by April 15. A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable personal property you owned or controlled on January 1 of this year. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business such as furniture and fixtures, supplies, raw materials, and business vehicles, vessels and aircraft.

Eight rendition workshops to provide one-on-one help have been scheduled throughout the county so appraisal district staff can provide individual help completing the form. Participants can attend at any time during the scheduled hours and typically will be able to complete the process in about an hour. There is no charge to attend.

Workshops will be conducted at the following locations:

• Wednesday, March 4, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Aldine Branch Library, 11331 Airline Drive, Houston
• Wednesday, March 11, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston – 1st floor
• Thursday, March 19, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston
• Monday, March 23, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray, Houston
• Tuesday, March 31, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Alice M. Young Branch Library, 5107 Griggs Road, Houston
• Monday, April 6, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston – 1st floor
• Saturday, April 11, 8 a.m. to12 p.m. - HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston – 1st floor
• Wednesday, April 15, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston – 1st floor

“Those who attend these workshops will consult individually with appraisal district staff who will explain personal property taxation and rendition requirements, as well as answer questions about completing the rendition forms,” said Roland Altinger, chief appraiser. “These sessions have been very successful in the past and have helped business owners complete their renditions on the spot.”

All business owners are required to file renditions whether or not they have received notification. Businesses that fail to render or that render late are subject to a 10 percent tax penalty. Filing a fraudulent rendition carries a 50 percent penalty if found guilty.

State law permits business owners to obtain an automatic extension of the filing requirement by submitting a request in writing by the April 15 filing deadline. The extended deadline for such businesses would then be May 15.

A rendition form is available on the appraisal district’s website at www.hcad.orgunder the “Forms” tab along with information on the rules of the process.

Business owners with questions about the rendition requirements are encouraged to attend any of the workshop sessions or call the appraisal district’s Information Center at 713.957.7800.