| FAQ |
General Questions
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| Q |
How current is the information on your site? |
| A |
The information is provided in real time. When a payment or change is applied to an account, you should immediately be able to pull that information on our site.
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| Q |
Are Property Tax Forms available on line? |
| A |
All property tax forms are available on line at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/forms/
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| FAQ |
Property Taxes
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| Q |
My property information is incorrect. How do I get it changed? |
| A |
This website only displays the information provided to us by the Gregg Appraisal District. You will need to contact them at 903/238-8823 and inform them of the information you believe needs to be changed. They will tell you what documentation they will need to correct your information.
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| Q |
When a correction is made by the Appraisal District on an account, when is it applied to the tax roll? |
| A |
Corrections are usually sent over by the Appraisal District once a month. It can take up to three weeks from the date our office receives the corrections for all the changes to be made and new bills or refund checks to be mailed.
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| Q |
I received a tax statement, but my mortgage company escrow pays my taxes? |
| A |
A taxpayer copy is sent to all property owners whose tax statement is requested by a mortgage company or bank.
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| Q |
What if I did not receive a tax statement and my account goes delinquent? Will I still have to pay penalties? |
| A |
If you do not receive a tax statement before November 1st of each year contact the Gregg County Tax Office and request a statement be mailed. However, failure to receive a tax notice does not affect the validity of the tax, penalty, interest, the due date, the existence of a tax lien, or any procedure instituted to collect a tax. Property owners have a responsibility to make sure that the correct name and address is listed for each property owned.
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| Q |
Can I make payments on current year property taxes? |
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If you have an Over 65 homestead exemption or a disability exemption, you may make quarterly payments on your residence homestead account. You must notify the tax office that you prefer to make quarter payments and the first payment must be made by January 31st to avoid any penalties or interst. On non-homestead properties, you may pay one entity at a time. Partial payments are accepted only after January 1st.
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| Q |
If I mail my payment at the end of the month, is it posted as if it was received in that month? |
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We accept the USPS postmark.
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| Q |
Can I pay my property taxes online? |
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Yes, to utilize this feature, use the search function to locate the property you would like to pay. Click on the account number and a "Property Tax Balance" screen will appear. Click the blue button that says "Click Here to Pay Now". Fill in the required information. Print and keep your confirmation sheet until you receive a receipt from the tax office that shows your payment.
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| Q |
How do I find out what exemptions I am eligible for? |
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Contact the Gregg Central Appraisal District and they will be able to assist you with any exemption qualification questions.
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| Q |
Can I use a credit or debit card to pay my taxes? |
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Yes, credit cards are accepted over the counter or online.
Debit cards are accepted over the counter only. There is a convenience fee of 2.2%
(minimum $1.00) for credit cards and $1.75 for debit cards. E-checks are also available online with no
additional fees.
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| Q |
My online statement does not reflect my online payment. What's wrong? |
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Online payments are submitted the next business day for processing. Please wait at least one business day to check your balance. If you did not receive a confirmation of your payment, please contact the office before resubmitting to insure you are not charged twice.
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| Q |
I have sold my property but I continue to receive statements. How can I remove my name from this account? |
| A |
Contact the Gregg Central Appraisal District to make any changes to your account. The Appraisal District makes all changes and sends them to this office.
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| Q |
When I purchased my home the sale was handled through an attorney or title company who collected my taxes at closing. Why am I receiving a delinquent tax statement? |
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Check your closing papers or contact the title company. The title company may have collected from the seller and credited you at the time of closing which would mean that you, as the new buyer, are responsible for the tax when due.
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| Q |
Where can I find estimated tax amounts for my property online? |
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The Gregg Appraisal District's website (https://gcad.org) gives an estimated amount on the detail screen for each account under the heading "Property Taxing Jurisdictions". There is also a database (https://gregg.countytaxrates.com) that provides tax rate and estimated tax information.
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| FAQ |
Vehicle Registration
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| Q |
What should I do if my license plates are damaged or stolen, or I need to replace a windshield validation sticker? |
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You may obtain replacement plates or validation stickers at the Gregg County Tax Office. You must also bring in your current registration receipt, the sticker (if possible), and fill out a replacement affidavit. There will be a $6.50 fee.
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| Q |
Is insurance required to purchase a permit (30 day, 1 trip, 72 hours or 144 hours)? |
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Yes, insurance that meets the Texas minimum limits of liability and covers the full length of the permit must be on the vehicle for which the permit is purchased, unless it is a trailer.
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| Q |
What does "Registration Purposes Only" mean? What are the circumstances for this type of transaction? |
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"Registration Purposes Only" was designed to enable a nonresident to register their vehicle in Texas without applying for a negotiable Texas Certificate of Title. This type of ownership document may be requested when a vehicle is registered or titled in another state, and is subjected to registration in Texas for which the owner or operator cannot or does not wish to surrender the negotiable out-of-state evidence of ownership in order to obtain a Texas negotiable title.
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| Q |
How do I obtain personalized license plates or other special plates? |
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You may obtain an Application for Personalized License Plates in the Gregg County Tax Office or any VTR Regional Office. There is a charge in addition to the regular registration fee. The amount charged for personalized and special plates varies according to the type ordered. In some cases, the applicant must meet eligibility requirements before applying for plates. You can view specialty plates at www.txdmv.gov and www.myplates.com.
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| Q |
I lost my title. How do I get a duplicate? |
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Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Title, which is available at the Gregg County Tax Office. These applicants must provide valid personal identification that includes a photograph issued by an agency of the State of Texas or the United States government. If a person is acting as an agent, he or she must provide proof verifiable by telephone that he or she is authorized to pick up the copy of the title. The owner must sign the form and the agent’s information should be written in the “Recipient Information” block. Agents also need the owner’s ID and the recipient’s ID. Otherwise, the application will be held for four days before the copy is issued and mailed. Make sure it has been signed by the registered owner(s) or lien holder before mailing the form and the $2 fee (no cash) to the address shown at the bottom of the form. For same-day service, an owner, lien holder or verified agent of either may apply at a VTR Regional Office and pay a $5.45 fee.
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| Q |
I just sold a car. How do I transfer the title? |
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Providing a negotiable Texas Title & Application for Texas Certificate of Title (Form 130-U), the seller will enter the purchaser's name and address, the odometer reading and date of sale on the back of the title. Purchaser and seller must each sign both title and application (Form 130-u). Both signed documents are given to the purchaser to complete the transaction. The purchaser will then go to the county of residency, county of the lienholder or the county of the seller and file the title application. Proof of current insurance will be required from the purchaser. The fee is $33 (or $28 depending on the county location) plus motor vehicle sales tax (6.25 percent). There is a $2.50 transfer fee if the vehicle is currently registered; if the license is not current, there may be a registration fee. When you purchase a vehicle from a licensed Texas dealer, the dealer is required to complete all the paperwork necessary to title and register the vehicle in your name. The dealer is also required to file the documents with the county tax office within 20 business days of the date you purchase the vehicle.
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| Q |
I've bought a vehicle and I have liability insurance on another car. What document can I use to show proof of financial responsibility when I transfer and register? |
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The personal automobile policy for any other vehicle an individual owns provides 30-day coverage after an additional vehicle has been acquired. Therefore, a copy of the personal automobile insurance policy or the card issued for the policy is acceptable as proof of financial responsibility. If it has been longer than 30 days from the date of sale, the insurance must be issued in the new owner’s name on the new vehicle.
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| Q |
I applied for a title and neither my lien holder nor I have received it yet. |
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Customers should receive their titles within three weeks from the date the application was filed. Contact the Gregg County Tax Office and ask to have the record checked.
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| Q |
Why does the state show a lien on my car if I paid it off? |
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This occurs if you have not advised the State of Texas that your lien has been satisfied. To remove the lien information, fill out a Title Application Form (130-U Form). Submit the application, title and a release of lien to the Gregg Tax Office. The fee for this service is $33. The State of Texas will mail a title to you that does not show a lien.
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| Q |
What is required to correct an error in the odometer reading after the title has been issued? |
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A statement of fact will be required. This statement must address the discrepancy and must be acknowledged by both the seller and the buyer involved in the transaction in which the error was made.
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| Q |
If my odometer reading is not available, what am I required to enter on the Odometer Disclosure Statement? |
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The Odometer Disclosure Statement should contain an explanation from the seller as to why a mileage reading is not available. If there is a reading of any sort displayed on the odometer, this reading must be disclosed, and an indication as whether the mileage is actual, not actual, or exceeds mechanical limits must be made. However, if a reading is not shown on the Odometer Disclosure Statement, it will be necessary to indicate six zeros (000000) on the application for title, Form 130-U.
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| Q |
I sold my vehicle several months ago, but the registration and title have not been changed to reflect the new owner's name and address. I'm getting notices about parking tickets involving that vehicle and the registration renewal notice has also come to me. What can I do? |
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It is likely the new owner has not transferred title into his or her name. Contact the Gregg County Tax Office or VTR Regional Office and fill out a Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346). Or write a letter to the Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Attention: Customer Information Services Branch, Austin, TX 78779-0001. Your letter must provide the vehicle description (year, make, vehicle identification number), date of sale, and purchaser's name and address. Upon receipt of the form or letter, the State will place a notation on the motor vehicle record stating that the vehicle has been transferred. You can also submit the form on the TxDMV website.
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| Q |
How do I sell a vehicle that is registered and titled in a former spouse's or deceased spouse's name? |
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If the divorce decree awards the vehicle to you, provide the Gregg County Tax Office with a certified copy or the original divorce decree and Form 130-U to apply for title. If the decree does not award the vehicle to you, a properly assigned title will be required. In the case of a deceased spouse, the ownership will be determined based on whether there is a will, trust, etc. Contact the Gregg County Tax Office or a VTR Regional Office for help.
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| Q |
My title was issued incorrectly. What should I do? |
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Contact the Gregg County Tax Office and we'll help you resolve the problem.
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| Q |
How do I register and title a rebuilt/salvage vehicle? |
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For information about rebuilt and salvage vehicles, contact our office.
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| Q |
What information is required and who is authorized to execute a Statement of Fact should one be required to correct an error on a title assignment? |
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The statement must certify to the correct information and must include a description of the vehicle identification number and the date the statement was executed. Only the seller is authorized to execute the Statement of Fact. However, if the Statement of Fact is required for the odometer disclosure of the assignment, in addition to the seller's signature, the buyer must also acknowledge the statement.
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| Q |
Why can it be difficult to change a vehicle title to my name? |
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The title law protects ownership rights for more than 15 million vehicles in Texas. Therefore, the statutes require transfer of ownership by proper execution of certain ownership documents. When these specific documents are incorrect or unavailable, Texas statutes require that the applicant apply for a Tax Collector's hearing or bonded title.
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| Q |
How do I renew my registration by mail? |
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Follow the instructions on the renewal notice. Send the renewal notice, registration fee and all requested information to the Gregg County Tax Office. Include a photocopy of your current insurance card to show proof of financial responsibility and a copy of your vehicle inspection report (VIR). Please make your check payable to Michelle Terry, Tax Assessor-Collector. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1431, Longview, TX 75606.
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| Q |
I registered my vehicle in August. So why does the registration expire in July? |
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A vehicle registration period is for 12 consecutive months or any portion thereof. Example: Registration for vehicles registered anytime during August will expire on July 31.
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| Q |
I just moved to Texas. How do I register my vehicle? |
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For information on how to register a title on an out- of- state vehicle in Texas should be directed to this office or VTR Regional Office.
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| Q |
Will my proof of insurance from either out-of-state or out-of-the-country be acceptable to cover a vehicle required to be registered in Texas? If so, should approval be based on the minimum amounts of coverage required in Texas? |
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The Texas Department of Insurance is unaware of provisions in the law which limit proof of liability coverage to Texas companies. Nothing less than the minimum limits, 30/60/25 as prescribed by law are acceptable as minimum amounts of coverage in Texas.
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| Q |
For how long may a new Texas resident operate his or her vehicle in this state while displaying current out- of-state license plates? |
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He or she can operate the vehicle for a period of thirty days after establishing residence or entering gainful employment, after which time the vehicle must be registered in Texas.
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| Q |
I have not received my registration renewal notice. What do I do? |
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Your vehicle registration can be renewed at any of the Gregg County Office locations, by using your license receipt from the previous year, the title, the VIN#, or the license plate number along with proof of insurance and identification.
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| Q |
I moved to another location within Texas. How can I be sure that my registration renewal notice will get to me when the time comes? |
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Your mail will be forwarded if you filed a Change of Address Form with the U S Postal Service. However, the registration record will not be updated in the system. Contact this office or VTR Regional Office and fill out Notice of Address Change for Texas Motor Vehicle Registration. Texas Department of Transportation will take the information you have provided to mail your renewal notice if information is submitted within 90 days of renewal month.
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| Q |
I did not receive my renewal notice and my registration has expired. Why am I being forced to pay a 20% penalty? |
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The 20% penalty is required by law if a vehicle is driven on public highway and a citation is issued for expired registration.
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| Q |
Can a vehicle be operated after its registration expires? |
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Yes. A vehicle may be operated for five working days after its registration expires without penalty or a permit maybe purchased for extended days.
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What if I haven't driven the vehicle since my registration expired. Do I pay the 20% penalty? |
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Anyone who re-registers after the five-day grace period and has a valid reason for late renewal may not be required to pay penalty per HB89. For additional information call the Gregg County Tax Office.
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| Q |
Why was I unable to renew my vehicle registration online? |
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Please be sure the registration has not already expired. You may not renew online after the end of the month in which your registration expires or there is a problem verifying inspection or insurance coverage.
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