Local property taxes provide the largest share of GISD operating funds. A cost-effective and efficient tax collection system that produces a high collection rate is essential to generating the resources necessary to cover daily operations.
School districts adopt a tax rate each year for general operations and debt service.
Calculation of this rate is dependent upon the certified tax roll provided by a central appraisal district. School districts levy taxes on real and personal property, while offering exemptions for homesteads with an age 65 classification, and for agricultural property. The GISD Tax Office also collects taxes for Galveston College and the City of Jamaica Beach. Galveston College provides office space for the GISD Tax Office. The Galveston County Appraisal District establishes property values used to assess taxes annually, and transmits the values to the district.