Moving to San Antonio/Need some Help

[SMP-G8]

Gonna be moving to San Antonio, Texas within the next month from Illinois and was looking for some insite from some people in the state on how the taxes works down there. Did some research and I have only seen that there is a local property tax assesed by the county or school district? I have also heard that you will be taxed on things that you own like vehicles, motorcycles, atvs and so on. Is this true as well?

Any help would be appreciated. Looking forward to meeting the G8 crowd in Texas. Looks like there are alot down there.

Thanks, Shawn

[Voice of Reason]

We moved to TX in 02 and then back to IL in 08. Compared to IL, TX has no state income tax so you'll instantly make 3% more but property taxes are about double for houses with similar sales price. Note that I don't say similar value because houses in TX are MUCH cheaper than in IL. We sold our 2300 sqft home in Spring, TX that we built for about 170k and purchased a 2400 sqft new home in Morton, IL for $296k. IMO the house in IL is slightly better quality because it has to withstand harder winters, but otherwise are similar.

Vehicle registration is similar in both states, neither have a tax like Cali or NJ. But TX has a emission/safety inspection that IL doesn't have. And your license registration is a sticker on your window, not the plate. So get used to having two stickers in your front window.

[pancho]

Gonna be moving to San Antonio, Texas within the next month from Illinois and was looking for some insite from some people in the state on how the taxes works down there. Did some research and I have only seen that there is a local property tax assesed by the county or school district? I have also heard that you will be taxed on things that you own like vehicles, motorcycles, atvs and so on. Is this true as well?

Any help would be appreciated. Looking forward to meeting the G8 crowd in Texas. Looks like there are alot down there.

Thanks, Shawn

Taxes in Texas are as follows:
1) County Property Taxes
2) School Property Taxes
3) City Property Taxes
4) State Inspection
5) State Registration Fees - Motorcycle, Vehicle, Boat.....
6) Hunting Fishing License can be very expensive depending on the stamps you purchase

I have never been taxed on items I own unless I need to register them for the state.

Toll roads are becoming more and more common.

My property taxes for 2009 were $4500 for a $140,000 house south of Houston.

Sales Tax varies by local. The state has a base rate and then the counties and cities can levy their own. Houston is 8 1/4 %. Automobile purchases are taxed differently.

So far, internet items are not taxed unless the company has a brick and mortar presence in the state.

Send me a PM if you want more detailed information.

[r33pwrd]

My property taxes for 2009 were $4500 for a $140,000 house south of Houston

I hope they supply lube with that! We are about 1-1.5 % up here.

[RamJet]

Also, not all counties have emissions inspections. Mine doesn't. San Antonio / Bexar County might soon, but currently it's only an anual safety inspection, costs about $16-$24.If you can live in one of the counties that surrounds SA while you're woking in SA, you will most likely be better off. Just my opinion.

[SMP-G8]

Thanks for all the info guys. I will be looking to live in the Kirby or Converse area more than likely but will be working at the new Cat Facility in Seguin.

Pancho - I will likely PM you for some information on the subject.

Thanks, Shawn

[r33pwrd]

Thanks for all the info guys. I will be looking to live in the Kirby or Converse area more than likely but will be working at the new Cat Facility in Seguin.

Pancho - I will likely PM you for some information on the subject.

Thanks, Shawn


Cat as in Caterpillar? What do you do there?

[conipc]

We moved to SA from IL 5 years ago--actually 50 miles NW in the Hill Country. It is much cheaper down here. Property taxes are highly dependent on the county you live in--big city counties are more, etc. No value-taxes on possessions like cars, just the registration fees; no income tax, overall costs tremendously lower on housing, but not so huge in Austin, and SA is getting a bit more expensive. Where you're talking about is still pretty reasonable and a nice area.Sequin is booming....

[digitalgiga]

No income taxes in Texas is awesome! I moved out here from California and to tell you the truth, everything is less. Yes the property taxes might be a bit high, but you make it up in other ways. Plus cars, houses, and big ticket items are very cheap out here. Hope i can help!

[SMP-G8]

Cat as in Caterpillar? What do you do there?

Ya Caterpillar is moving the Mossville, IL operation of building C13 engines to Seguin. I work for a contracted company that does Quality control. Company name is Advanced Quality Solutions. I run and program a CMM. Been with them for a little more than 4 years.

[vv8]

Converse is nice, right off of 1516 is alot of new homes. Good luck.