The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts amendment to §9.419, concerning property tax exemption for motor vehicles leased for personal use, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 2, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 64).

The amendment is adopted to revise the model exemption application form to implement House Bill 500, 78th Legislature, effective September 1, 2003, which requires the chief appraiser to keep confidential the driver's license number, personal identification number, or social security number provided on the exemption application except for disclosure to appraisal office employees who appraise property and as authorized by Tax Code, §11.48(b).

There were no written comments received. However, in a discussion with an Austin attorney, it was pointed out that the preamble of the proposed rule failed to describe the revisions to Lessor's Rendition or Property Report for Leased Automobiles (Form 50-288) regarding implementation of Senate Bill 340, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, effective January 1, 2004. The comptroller added language to this form explaining the change in Tax Code, §22.23(b), that on written request the chief appraiser must extend the filing deadline to May 15 of the tax year and may extend the deadline another 15 days upon good cause shown in writing by the property owner. The comptroller also added language informing taxpayers of the penalties for failure to file a rendition or property report timely required by Texas law pursuant to Tax Code, §22.01(a) and (b).

This section is adopted under Tax Code, §5.03, which requires the comptroller to adopt rules establishing the minimum standards for the administration and operation of an appraisal district, Tax Code, §5.07, which requires the comptroller to prescribe the contents and form for the administration of the property tax system, Tax Code, §11.43(f), which requires the comptroller to prescribe the contents and form for each kind of property tax exemption and Tax Code, §22.24(a), which requires the use of a rendition form or report that is prescribed or approved by the comptroller.

The section implements Tax Code, Chapter 11, Subchapter B, §11.252.