Houston.
Texas.
Make sense of it.
Taxes, business paperwork and local requirements. Find the information you need, understand your next step and get to the right official source.
Explore the resources ↓
FOR EVERYONE.
What brings
you here?
Start with the task in front of you.
Explore our free guides and official resources.
Understand
franchise tax
Reporting requirements, thresholds and forms, all in one place.
Read the free guide → 02 / SALES TAXGet a sales
tax permit
Check the requirements and find the official application.
Read the free guide → 03 / PROPERTYFind your
property information
Access Harris County property records and online filing services.
Harris Central Appraisal District ↗ 04 / EMPLOYERSGet employer
tax information
Find unemployment tax registration, reporting and payment resources.
Texas Workforce Commission ↗Starting something
in Houston?
Work through the essentials: registration, tax accounts, premises and permits. Use our startup checklist, then check the requirements for your activity.
BIG QUESTIONS.
A clearer starting point.
Local questions.
A useful place to start.
Explore the complete collection.
Clear steps, official sources and free downloads.
Taxes & filing
Starting & running a business
Find your next step.
Search by topic or browse the collection.
Free guides and direct links to official sources.
27 guides and resources
Houston & Texas tax-deadline planner
Build a calendar around the obligations that apply to you. Start with the normal schedules, then confirm the exact dates with the relevant agency.
Understanding IRS & Texas tax notices
Identify the letter, find the deadline and gather the right records. A practical first-response guide with direct links to official help.
Houston disaster-recovery resources
Find tax-relief announcements, recovery assistance and tools for rebuilding financial records after a storm or other disaster.
Self-employed taxes in Texas
A practical starting point for freelancers, sole proprietors and gig workers: organise income, check estimated payments and keep Texas obligations in view.
Small business recordkeeping
Build a repeatable routine for receipts, transactions and tax records, with a monthly checklist you can use straight away.
Free business support in Houston
Find local guidance, business mentoring and learning resources. Start with the organisation best suited to your question.
Houston business personal property guide
Equipment, furniture and inventory can have their own property-tax requirements. Start with what you own, where it is and the current rendition form.
Houston business permits & inspections
Before the lease, the fit-out or opening day, identify the approvals for your address, premises and business activity.
Free tax-filing help in Houston
Find free preparation help or a free way to file yourself. Check eligibility, available services and what to bring before you begin.
Houston property taxes & homestead exemptions
Find your property record, check your exemptions and understand which office handles each part of the bill.
Harris County property appraisal protests
A practical route from your appraisal notice to a documented protest, with evidence you can organise yourself.
Texas employer registration & payroll basics
Set up the right accounts, organise employee records and separate payroll deposits from return deadlines.
Texas franchise tax
Reports, thresholds, forms and filing guidance.
Sales and use tax
Find filing information and state sales tax guidance.
Which services are taxable?
Browse the official taxable services categories.
File and pay Texas taxes
Find the appropriate reporting and payment service.
Sales tax for repair and remodeling
Guidance for contractors and property repair businesses.
Start a Houston business
Work through names, tax accounts and local permits.
Permits and inspections
Find the city’s permitting information and application resources.
Check franchise tax account status
Look up an entity’s status with the Comptroller.
Short-term rental information
Find Houston’s registration and hotel occupancy tax information.
Business personal property
Read HCAD’s guidance for business property reporting.
Property appraisal protests
Explore the iFile and iSettle process.
Property forms and exemptions
Find official forms for your property-related task.
Register for unemployment tax
Check registration information for Texas employers.
Manage unemployment tax
Access wage reporting and employer tax account services.
Federal tax forms and payments
Find federal forms, account access and payment options.
One region.
Different
requirements.
Start with the authority responsible for your address or business. City permits, appraisal records and state taxes each have their own source.
Useful tools.
Yours to keep.
Simple recordkeeping templates to download and use.
No email address. No account. No charge.
Business expense tracker
Keep dates, suppliers, categories and receipt references together.
Download template ↓CSV / SPREADSHEETBusiness mileage log
Record trips, business purpose and odometer readings as you go.
Download template ↓TXT / PRINTABLE CHECKLISTBusiness records checklist
Organise bank records, invoices, payroll documents and tax notices.
Download checklist ↓Clear answers start
with good sources.
These guides and resources draw on official information from Texas agencies, the City of Houston, HCAD and the IRS. Follow the source for current requirements, deadlines and filing instructions.
Local CPA Houston is an independent educational resource. It is not a licensed CPA firm, accounting practice or government agency, and it is not affiliated with one. General information does not replace advice about your individual circumstances.
