An El Paso attorney faces paying thousands in back property taxes after an oversight by the El Paso Central Appraisal District resulted in his home improvements not being assessed for years. The property, located in an unincorporated part of El Paso's Upper Valley, was recently appraised to include the previously unassessed home and added features.
Attorney Sergio Saldivar built a 2,900-square-foot home on a half-acre lot in 2019. Subsequent improvements included a pool, a jacuzzi, and a canopy. These additions were not included in the property's valuation for tax purposes until the current year, according to appraisal records.
David Stone, the deputy chief appraiser for the El Paso Central Appraisal District, stated the oversight occurred partly because the property is outside municipal boundaries, where building permits are typically used to identify new construction. Stone acknowledged that EPCAD sometimes misses properties in unincorporated areas.
Records show Saldivar paid property taxes only on the land value, totaling just under $8,000 between 2020 and 2024. Had the home and improvements been assessed, the estimated tax liability for those years could have exceeded $48,000.
State law permits the EPCAD to back assess taxes for the past three years. This requires Saldivar to pay back taxes for 2022 through 2024, totaling over $22,500 based on revised appraisals. Taxes from 2020 and 2021 cannot be back assessed.
Saldivar, who transferred the property to Saldivar Texas Holdings, a limited liability company, in February 2024, has protested the recent appraisals. He did not respond to inquiries regarding his awareness of the reduced tax payments.
The Consolidated Tax Office, which handles tax collection, advises property owners to review appraisal notices and tax bills to ensure all property improvements are accounted for, recommending taxpayers notify the appraisal district of any errors to prevent future tax liabilities.
In separate news, former foster youth in El Paso achieved a milestone this week, completing a new job training program designed to transition them into employment with the state. Nine individuals graduated from the Texas Works Paths to Success (TWPS) program, becoming the first cohort from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program to finish the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) training.
The TWPS program aims to foster economic self-reliance and stability for youth aging out of foster care. Graduates are now eligible for careers with HHS, where they will assist Texans in accessing benefits like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid.
The graduation ceremony took place at the El Paso Community College Administrative Boardroom. Molly Wegner, the El Paso area PAL Coordinator, noted the significance of graduates securing full-time state employment with benefits.
Graduate Taylor Monks, adopted from foster care, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities provided, stating she was determined to create a better future for herself.
