Texas Comptroller Susan Combs today reminded local businesses to render their property with county appraisal districts by April 15.

To render means to list the taxable inventory, furniture and fixtures, machinery and equipment and other property a business owned or managed as of Jan. 1.

Appraisal districts may use the information to set property values.

“Rendition helps county appraisal districts appraise business property fairly and accurately,” Combs said. “If some businesses are not paying their fair share of property tax, it places a greater tax burden on other business owners and homeowners.”

Rendition allows property owners to record their opinion of their property’s value and ensures that the appraisal district sends them a notice before changing a value on their property.

Rendition is not required for exempt property, such as church property or a farmer’s equipment used for farming.

If more than one appraisal district appraises a property, the property owner should render in each appraisal district office.

Failure to render property carries a penalty of 10 percent of the taxes due.

Property owners who need more time to filetheir renditions may file a written request with the chief appraiser on or before April 15 to receive an automatic extension to May 15.

Combs also reminded owners whose property was damaged by a storm, flood or fire last year that they may file a special decreased value report that could lower their tax bill. Property owners have until April 15 to file the decreased value report, which indicates their property’s condition on Jan. 1, 2010.

For more information about rendering property, deadline extensions, penalties and rendition forms, taxpayers may contact Kleberg, Kenedy or Nueces County appraisal district office, email the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division at ptd.cpa@cpa.state.tx.us or call the property tax hotline at (800) 252-9121.