Business Personal Property Rendition in Bandera County

A business personal property rendition is the annual report Texas law requires many business owners to file, listing tangible personal property used to produce income as of January 1. This page explains who must file, what counts as tangible property, the 2026 exemption, Form 50-144, deadlines, extensions, and penalties for Bandera County filers, replacing the prior link-only version of this page.

What Is a Business Personal Property Rendition?

A rendition is a signed statement listing the taxable tangible personal property a business owned or used on January 1, along with a value estimate or reported cost and acquisition year for each asset category.

Who Must Review the Texas Rendition Requirement

Any business owning tangible personal property used to produce income in Bandera County should review the rendition requirement, including businesses that may qualify for the current exemption, since a filing or certification obligation can still apply. Bandera CAD provides additional guidance on this property category in its FAQ section.

Which Property Is Reported as of January 1

Property is reported based on what a business owned or controlled on January 1 of the tax year, regardless of changes in inventory or equipment later in the year.

Tangible Business Property vs Intangible Property

Tangible property, such as equipment and inventory, is generally taxable business personal property. Intangible assets, such as cash, stocks, and accounts receivable, are not reported as taxable BPP without a specific legal basis.

Examples of Property Commonly Reported

Commonly reported categories include:

  • furniture, fixtures, and office equipment;
  • machinery, tools, and manufacturing equipment;
  • inventory and supplies held for business use;
  • business vehicles.

Leased, Consigned, Mobile, and Multi-Location Property

Leased and consigned property is typically reported by whoever holds it on January 1, with ownership noted separately. Multi-location and mobile equipment may need to be reported to more than one taxing jurisdiction based on where it is located.

How the $125,000 Exemption Works for 2026

For 2026, tangible personal property held or used for income production may qualify for an exemption of up to $125,000 in appraised value, subject to current statutory conditions tied to aggregate taxable value in a taxing unit.

Why a Business Below the Threshold May Still Need to File a Certification

Falling under the exemption threshold does not automatically remove the filing obligation. Current Texas guidance points to an ongoing rendition or certification requirement, so confirm the exact local procedure with Bandera CAD rather than skipping filing.

Which Rendition Form to Use

Texas Comptroller Form 50-144 is the standard rendition form for most businesses; confirm you are using the current version before filing.

How to Complete Form 50-144

The form asks for owner and property information, a description of property by category, and either reported cost and acquisition year or a good-faith value estimate for each category.

Reporting Cost and Year Acquired vs an Owner's Good-Faith Value Estimate

Owners may report original cost and acquisition year, or provide a good-faith estimate of market value; neither approach is universally the better choice, and the right option depends on available records.

Bandera County Filing Methods

Bandera CAD accepts renditions through verified channels, including the online Bandera CAD portal, mail, and in-person delivery. Confirm current submission instructions before sending confidential business records through any channel.

April 15 Deadline and Written Extension Request

The general rendition deadline is April 15. A written request can extend the deadline to May 15 under current rules.

Additional Extension for Good Cause

A further limited extension beyond May 15 may be available for good cause under current procedures; approval is not automatic and depends on the specific request.

Late Rendition Penalty and Penalty-Waiver Request

A late rendition can trigger a 10 percent penalty on the tax due for that property. A penalty-waiver request may be available in limited circumstances, but a waiver is not guaranteed.

Confidentiality of Rendition Information

Rendition information is generally treated as confidential under Texas law and should be submitted only through approved Bandera CAD channels, not ordinary email, to help protect sensitive business records.

What Happens After the Rendition Is Filed

The appraisal district reviews the rendition and uses it, along with other information, to determine an appraised value reflected on the property's Notice of Appraised Value; filing itself does not fix a final value.

How to Protest a BPP Appraisal

If you disagree with the resulting appraised value, you can file a protest by the applicable deadline; see Bandera CAD's property tax appeal information for that separate process.

Business Personal Property Rendition Checklist

Before filing, gather:

  • asset category, description, and quantity;
  • location and owner or lessor;
  • year acquired and original cost, or a good-faith value estimate;
  • condition and any comparable-property context.

FAQ

Do businesses under $125,000 in value have to file anything?

Not necessarily nothing. Falling under the exemption threshold does not automatically remove every filing obligation; current guidance points to a continuing rendition or certification requirement, so confirm the exact procedure with Bandera CAD.

What happens if I file my rendition late?

A late rendition can trigger a 10 percent penalty on the tax due for that property. A limited penalty-waiver request may be available, but approval is not guaranteed.

Are cash and accounts receivable taxable as business personal property?

Generally no. Intangible assets such as cash, stocks, and accounts receivable are not reported as taxable tangible personal property without a specific legal basis for doing so.

Can I get more time to file my rendition?

A written request can extend the April 15 deadline to May 15, and a further limited extension for good cause may be available under current procedures, though approval is not automatic.

Does filing my rendition set my final appraised value?

No. The appraisal district reviews the rendition along with other information to determine value, which appears on your Notice of Appraised Value; you may protest that value separately.