Funding Overview

Community colleges are funded differently than public four-year colleges and universities. There are three primary sources of revenue to community colleges:

• Student tuition & fees
• State funding
• Property taxes

Community colleges are the only public institutions of higher education that construct and maintain campus facilities without state funding assistance. Local community colleges have taxing authority for this purpose. ACC operated for 14 years without a tax base. In 1986, ACC District voters approved the establishment of a maintenance and operations (M&O) tax capped at 5 cents per $100 valuation, in exchange for comprehensive programs and services. Voters raised that cap to 9 cents in 2003. It cannot go above $0.09 without voter approval.

Financial Information

Information on the Austin Community College Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, as well as prior fiscal years can be located on the college’s budget page.

Prior fiscal year audited financial statements can be found on the financial statements page. 

Budgeted Property Tax Revenues and Rates (Last 3 Years)

Property Tax Revenues

Property Tax Rate

Property Tax Exemptions

ACC Board Policies CAI, CAIA and CAIB govern property tax implementation. Tax Code Section 11.13, Residence Homestead, and Tax Code Section 33.06 provide statutory authorization regarding homestead exemption and the option to defer collection of taxes for senior citizens and residents with disabilities.

• Homestead exemption:  ACC provides a $5,000 homestead exemption to all residential taxpayers (or 1% of property value, whichever is greater)
• Exemption for seniors (age 65+) and homeowners with disabilities:  The College also provides an additional $75,000 exemption for seniors and homeowners with disabilities, for a total homestead exemption of $80,000.00.
• Tax Freeze for seniors (65+) and homeowners with disabilities:  In 2021, the ACC Board of Trustees enacted a tax ceiling/freeze for seniors and homeowners with disabilities. The ceiling freezes your ACC taxes at the amount you pay in the year that you qualify for the exemption. The College taxes on your house may go below the ceiling, but not above.
• Contact your county's taxing district for information on how to apply for the exemption or to verify that the exemption is being applied.
• Commercial property owners:  Commercial properties are taxed at the same rate as residential property; however, per Texas Property Tax Code, commercial properties are taxed on both real property and personal property, while residential properties are only taxed on real property.

Tax Implications for ACC District Homeowners and Businesses - 2021-2022 

(Check the Texas Property Tax Directory for details of the taxes on your property.)

 Updated October 7, 2022