Tax Information

Tax Information


Ad Valorem TaxHistoric Property Tax Rates - Copy
The City levies ad valorem (property) taxes on land, buildings, and some business personal property within the City limits. This tax is used for two primary purposes:
  • A portion of ad valorem taxes is dedicated to the debt service on general obligation debt. This type of debt is issued to build large capital and infrastructure projects, such as fire stations, streets, and parks.
  • The remainder of ad valorem taxes is used to fund general municipal operations, such as police, fire, streets, parks, library, and administration.
Ad valorem taxes are levied based on taxable values as of January of each year. Taxes are billed in October of that same year and become delinquent on February 1st of the next year.  The FY 2024 current tax rate is $0.5326.  The City of Belton adopted a tax rate that will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate.  The tax rate will effectively be raised by 2.06 percent and will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home by approximately $9.40.
More information about the tax rate including historical rates and levies can be found in the tax section of the budget document.
 

Sales Tax
The City levies a 1.50% sales and use tax on taxable transactions within the City limits. The total combined sales tax rate for Belton is 8.25%, consisting of:

  • 6.25% State of Texas
  • 0.50% Bell County
  • 1.00% City of Belton - general government purposes
  • 0.50% City of Belton - economic development purposes

More detail on sales tax and Belton's historical sales tax collections can be found on the State Comptroller's website.

Franchise Fees
Franchise fees are paid by utility companies providing service within the City of Belton and are assessed as a percent of utility billings. This fee is sometimes called a tax, but it is actually a fee for the utility's use of public streets, alleys, rights-of-way, and easements owned by the City of Belton. Franchise fees are used to maintain and build City streets, roads, bridges, and alleyways. More information on franchise fees and rates can be found in the General Fund section of the budget document.

Hotel Occupancy Tax
The City levies a 7% tax on rooms or space in hotels within the City of Belton. In addition, the State of tax levies a 6% hotel tax, making the combined rate 13%. By State law, revenues from the City's hotel tax must be used to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry in Belton.