“We can look at how they evaluate customer needs for where the mobile generation needs to go, including looking at their emergency operation plan and how it deals with this,” PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson said.

PUC approves audit after accusations of overcharging and overspending

The district says the tax hike is to help with a budget shortfall and reportedly recent storm damage.

The Harris County Commissioners Court gave final approval to its $2.67 billion plan for the new fiscal year.

Court records claim Guevara admitted to placing $26,857 in fake business losses that resulted in a tax loss to the U.S. of $13,390 on that return. He took responsibility for $123,458 in losses to the IRS and will be paying that back as restitution.

The Houston Independent School District has proposed one of the largest bond packages in Texas history.

Texas has spent billions of dollars to drive down property taxes. Many homeowners saw a significant tax cut last year, per a Texas Tribune analysis.

The Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly Saturday, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of last-minute help with their taxes... stranded.

H&R Block has addressed that it’s experiencing an issue that has prevented some desktop software users from e-filing their tax returns on Monday.

You can buy more time, but you still need to pay today... if possible.

The Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly Saturday, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of last-minute help with their taxes... stranded.

The Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly Saturday, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of last-minute help with their taxes... stranded.

Monday is Tax Day and today, the Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center in southwest Houston closed unexpectedly, leaving hundreds of Houstonians in need of help with their taxes stranded.

As April 15 gets closer, the stress of tax season can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re among those who have procrastinated until the last minute.

Time is ticking to file your taxes! Here are some last-minute tips to get you to the finish line with hopefully a little more money in your pocket.

🔍 Check out this shocking tax filing story! A humble couple paid $17,000 to file their taxes, only to discover they allegedly owed $30,000 to the IRS. 😱 How did this happen? #TaxFiling #IRS #ScamAlert

The Penas claim Tax Doctors, LLC’s assessment found the Humble couple owed the IRS $30,000. Their tax preparer told them they would receive up to $20,000 in refund but must first pay the company $17,000 to file.

A man from Denver, Colorado reached out to KPRC 2 after his friend shared one of our reports on two Houston-area women out thousands of dollars after trying to complete their taxes.

As tax season reaches its peak, taxpayers in Texas and 11 other states have a new, hassle-free option to file their taxes: Direct File.

Two Houston-area families are out thousands of dollars after hiring someone to complete their taxes. As tax day approaches KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun has a warning for everyone to double-check who’s preparing their taxes even if they advertise as being local.

2024 Direct File pilot will allow taxpayers to electronically file for free

Ohtani has decided to defer $680 million of the contract until after his playing days are over, meaning he’ll take in roughly $2 million of salary each year for the duration of the contract that will run through 2033.

Tax policy is messy. Here are a few tips to help you understand what the recent voter-approved tax cuts mean for your mortgage.

The Fort Bend Independent School District is one of the highest achieving districts, but school officials say the starting pay for teachers is the lowest in the area.

Most taxpayers will be able to digitally submit a slew of tax documents and other communications to the IRS next filing season and the agency plans to go completely paperless in 2025.

At a time when the state has some of the nation’s highest property taxes, the initiative was a cornerstone of his 2022 reelection campaign.

A Houston woman has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison following her convictions on seven counts of aiding and assisting in preparing false tax returns, the United States Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

Top Republicans promised property tax cuts, but have been locked in standoffs on how to achieve it. Gov. Greg Abbott has called another overtime legislative session in hopes of solidifying a plan.

Gov. Greg Abbott has thrown his weight behind the idea being pushed by an influential conservative think tank. Many school leaders are worried.

In this week’s episode we check in with radio host Mark Davis and politics reporter Patrick Svitek about the GOP intraparty fighting over property taxes and Ken Paxton’s impeachment.

Ideal Tax highlights how the IRS Fresh Start program works, if you're eligible, and what else you need to know

On this week’s episode, we speak to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s James Quintero, who has been at the center of the debate over property taxes this week.

After the previous, widely criticized program expired in December, lawmakers worked hard to craft a plan that won overwhelming support in both chambers.

The bill, which Democrats have been pushing for years, has become a top priority after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The Senate has already passed the bill, which would provide tax relief on the purchase of menstrual products, diapers and other child care necessities.

Lawmakers are trying hard to come up with an agreement on how to replace an embattled 20-year tax abatement program for big companies that expired in December.

The two chambers have 10 days to cut a deal before the end of the legislative session, and they are miles apart on some of the very foundations of a corporate tax-abatement bill considered to be a priority for Republican state leaders.

During the floor debate for a plan to replace the expired Chapter 313 program, House members added that the new version of the incentive must require companies to pay higher wages and create stiffer penalties for noncompliance.

KPRC 2 Community is partnered with BakerRipley and Telemundo Houston to host a tax help phone bank on March 30 until 6:30 p.m. Volunteers are standing by to take calls in both English and Spanish. The phone number to call is 713-778-8920.

If you’ve finally gotten your taxes filed, you’re probably ready to put it all away and move on. Have you considered which documents you should keep? And for how long?

Cuts to school property tax bills. Bigger tax benefits for homeowners. A controversial idea to limit property tax growth. Here’s what you need to know about the brewing property tax debate at the Texas Legislature.

Willie Nelson owed millions in taxes, so the IRS came up with an idea to help.

This tax season get ready for surprises that could impact your budget. You can’t count on last year’s popular tax breaks and there’s no stimulus money headed your way. Learn what to expect and what you should know about getting help.

We are right in the middle of tax filing season for 2022. Still, millions of returns from previous years are still not processed. The backlog is impacting a lot of people, including one Houston woman who called our KPRC 2 Investigates team for help.

We are right in the middle of tax filing season for 2022. Still, millions of returns from previous years are still not processed. The backlog is impacting a lot of people, including one Houston woman who called our KPRC 2 Investigates team for help.

Did you know when you’re getting ready for tax season, there are two types of preparation methods?

As you look to get your taxes done this year, we have a warning. There are fraudulent tax preparers who set up shop with the goal of stealing from you. Often people who are victims of these fraudulent tax schemes don’t know it until months later when they never get a refund. Not only is your money gone but thieves have your important personal information.

The Internal Revenue Service is extending help to taxpayers by opening a special assistance center in southwest Houston Saturday.

BakerRipley is helping taxpayers by offering free, tax preparation services for families and individuals who earn up to $58,000 per year.

Hundreds of businesses have sought tax savings from the state before the Chapter 313 program expires. Two companies say they are missing out despite being eligible.

Under the state’s Permanent School Fund’s Bond Guarantee Program, schools get the best interest rate on bonds. That soon may be over if the federal government doesn’t act.

Ghost tax preparer allegedly cost U.S. Government $4.4 million.

Ron Wilson, a Democrat who served as state representative between 1977 and 2004, pleads guilty to one count of tax evasion after trying to hide some of his income and failing to pay taxes over two decades.

Advocates have previously called for repealing the sales tax on products like tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners. Menstrual products are already tax-free in 24 states.

If you’re wondering how much you’re paying in property taxes, there’s a way to check them online easily via state information that you can quickly filter down to your county.

The propositions on the May 7 ballot would lower property taxes by shifting more public school costs to the state. But the measures’ language can be hard to understand.

Texas school districts, cities and counties rely heavily on property taxes to pay for roads, libraries, police, firefighters and public schools. But lowering tax bills has long been a difficult endeavor.

It seems like you hear about it more and more these days: The extreme lengths people are going to in order to buy a new house; how much it costs to fill up the gas tank; and what we’re spending at the grocery store.

Texas lawmakers tried to lower property tax bills during their 2019 session, and a new report says they put a dent in the problem: Taxes aren’t rising as quickly as they would have. But they didn’t solve it: Property taxes are still rising.

For those animal lovers who spend so much money on their pets and hope to recoup some of that cash spent when tax season arrives, this is the cold, hard reality: For the most part, you can’t.

State lawmakers will tell you they hate property taxes as much as anyone. But the state itself doesn’t levy the tax — local governments do. And lowering it in a meaningful way would require state officials to raise taxes or cut programs. For them, talking about it is easier than doing something.

Here are facts and figures of the OECD’s plan and what it hopes to achieve.

You likely know what “income” means, and of course you’re aware of federal and state taxes, and the fact that we have to do them (or have them prepared for us, in some cases), every year. But how much do you know about income tax overall?

Whether you’re new to owning your own business or a seasoned vet, taxes can be so stressful. It’s easy to overlook things or simply forget an item here and there.

If you’re expecting a generous refund this season, you’ll want to make that money work as hard as you do.

Tax havens, also known as offshore financial centers, are a country or jurisdiction that has minimal tax liabilities to foreign individuals or businesses.

Tax season is officially here, meaning you have the next couple months to get those returns filed! This year’s IRS deadline is April 18.

Texans who are age 65 or older or who are disabled as defined by law may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit at the Harris County Appraisal District Office.

For those who plan on donating to a charitable organization for Giving Tuesday, there could be some opportunities to receive money back when filing taxes next year.

High Texas property taxes were an issue in the state's 2018 elections, and you can see from their work on a new homestead exemption earlier this week that state lawmakers didn't forget that lesson from voters.

Tax relief for property owners joins a packed to-do list for Texas lawmakers — which includes redistricting, COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a spending plan for $16 billion in federal stimulus dollars.

Officials said the woman prepared a total of 37 false income tax returns for clients and four false income tax returns for herself, resulting in over $284,000.

With COVID-19 making paid parental leave even more critical, the Dallas Democrat is helping lead the move to change federal policy for fathers as well as mothers.

Have you done your taxes yet? If not, there are some new tax credits and deductions you need to know about so you get the most money back from Uncle Sam this year.

By now, most homeowners have received property tax appraisals in the mail. If your jaw hit the floor when you opened yours, you should protest your home’s market value with your county appraisal district. Here are some ideas to get your appraisal and your property taxes lowered.

HOUSTON – If you collected unemployment in 2020, you could get a bigger tax refund. Usually, when you collect unemployment, you have to pay federal income tax on that money. This year, you do not have to pay taxes on $10,200 of those benefits if you earned less than $150,000. Mary Bynum emailed consumer expert Amy Davis, writing, “I collected unemployment in 2020 and filed my return and received my refund in mid-February. On the IRS website, the agency explains what forms you should use and file if you are doing your taxes yourself to get the tax break.

FILE - This Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 file photo shows part of a 1040 federal tax form printed from the Internal Revenue Service website, in Zelienople, Pa. Tax filing season will start a bit later and look a bit different this year. Thats because the pandemic that defined 2020 has seeped into tax time as well. If you worked from home, received a relief payment, took on some gig work or filed unemployment benefits _ or someone filed a fake claim in your name _ there are things you need to be aware of. Likewise if you normally receive certain tax credits. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Feb. 12, 2021.

If you already anticipate needing some extra time to file your federal tax return, there’s some good news. You can always file for an extension.

If you grew up watching your parents get stressed around tax season, then you're probably not looking forward to filing yourself for the first time.

Even for those of us who think we have some knowledge about anything tax related, it can be a stressful time. And it's certainly not a time when you want to play a guessing game.

For those who will have to pay money on their tax returns, a big question usually follows once the amount owed is determined: Should I put this tax bill on my credit card?

Even if we think we have some knowledge about anything tax-related, it can be a stressful time. And it's certainly not a time when you want to play a guessing game.

Tax season can be a reason to laugh, as these famous TV episodes showed.

A common aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two or so years has been more employees working remotely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all those people were working from their homes.

Tax season is busier than usual for professional athletes and the people they put in charge of their taxes.

These 10 celebrities found out the hard way not to mess with the IRS.

Are you knee-deep in receipts, 1099 forms and W2s? Or are you all done?

When you hear someone say that he or she is an accountant, do you think of taxes right away?

When it comes to tax write-offs, many people will stretch the limits to see what they can get away with.

It is easy to put off doing your taxes until the last minute. No one likes to deal with the IRS, and sometimes, procrastination happens as a result.

Victims of the winter storms have until June 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced Monday.

There’s one day each year that sticks out to American taxpayers everywhere, and this year is April 18: Tax Day. But to another group of people -- the ones who make quarterly payments -- there are three other times a year to pay up.

For those who turned to unemployment benefits last year, with tax season upon us, you might be wondering how it’s all going to shake out when it comes to filing your income taxes. But here’s the thing: You still have to pay federal taxes on said unemployment benefits. It ensures you won’t have that burden later, giving you a head start when tax season approaches. Pay quarterlyIf you didn’t have your taxes withheld, another option is to send quarterly estimated taxes on that money to the IRS. When quarterly taxes are due:When you get paid Tax due date Jan. 1–March 31 April 15 April 1–May 31 June 15 June 1–Aug.

Regardless of whether you’ve paid someone for help or tried to do it on your own, even just gathering all the data you need for filing your federal income taxes can seem daunting.

If you own the home where you live, you should have a homestead exemption applied to your account. It will lower your property taxes by 20%. The more your house is worth, the more you’ll save on property taxes. Why your homestead exemption could go awayEven though we think we can set it and forget it, there is one reason why the homestead exemption can fall off and stick you with a much higher property tax bill. They presume that you’ve moved out.”Atkins says the appraisal district will cancel your homestead exemption without alerting you.

Free tax centers to help individuals and families with their tax returns are usually bustling this time of year. Thanks to COVID, those volunteer tax services had to change up their routine. Help is still available, but this year, but you'll have to make an appointment with one of these organizations.

Stimulus checks: When you can expect to get your moneyHOUSTON – If you know you qualified for the most recent stimulus payment but you never received it, the IRS says you will receive it when you tackle your taxes. Input the amount of money you received for the second economic impact payment, plus any amounts you received for dependents. If you don’t normally don’t file taxes, but are owed stimulus money, fill out the “non-filers” tax return form. Good newsIf you received a larger stimulus payment than you should have, the IRS will not take it back. You will get your refund back quicker than if you send your return in by snail mail.

Fortunately, there are some COVID tax breaks and credits for people who fall into those categories. The form is for folks who earned money but didn’t pay taxes on those earnings. AARP volunteer tax preparer Bart Hatfield says those workers should have put aside some money to pay those taxes. AdYou will owe taxes on your unemployment benefitsLook out for your 1099 if you collected unemployment. You will owe taxes.

By now, you should have received all of your 2020 tax statements and documents. You should know there are some things you can do when you file your taxes to keep more money for you and your family. You can use that to your advantage because this year, the IRS will let you use the income that gets you a larger earned income tax credit. If you are eligible for the EITC, the more money you make, the higher the credit you will get. If you had a higher income in 2019 than in 2020, you can use your 2019 income to get the higher amount in the EITC the child tax credit.

Earlier this week, the IRS announced the 2021 tax year annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax previsions. Those include tax rate schedules and other tax changes. The following are the 2021 tax rates, which will be used when filing taxes in 2022 for the previous year of income. Taxpayers with lower incomes with have lower federal tax rates. Click or tap here to learn about more changes that have come with tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2021.