Tagged News

• New Hidalgo Co. Pct 1 substation expected to open in summer Play Video

  January 17, 2020 3:33 PM

  WESLACO – Construction on the new Hidalgo County Precinct 1 substation office should wrap up later this year. The building was damaged during the last few summer floods. In one of those washouts, several inches of rain flooded out the Pct 1 office. Flood insurance money will help... more »

• IRS Rewriting Free Tax Return Service Agreement Play Video

  January 3, 2020 11:43 PM

  WESLACO – Maybe you didn't know: if you make less than $69,000 a year, you should be able to file your taxes for free. At least that's according to an agreement the IRS made with internet tax filing services 18 years ago. Yet, some companies have made that difficult,... more »

• IRS Looks to Take Brownsville Business to Federal Court Play Video

  December 12, 2019 5:02 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – The Internal Revenue Service is going after a Rio Grande Valley business. The owners allegedly had not paid taxes in six years. El Mundo Feliz is an adult care service in Brownsville. The IRS claims the business owes about $650,000 in unpaid taxes. The agency says... more »

• Officials Break Ground for New Hidalgo Co. Pct 1 Substation Play Video

  August 21, 2019 3:48 PM

  WESLACO – County leaders broke ground for the new Hidalgo County Precinct 1 substation offices Wednesday morning. Construction will begin to replace the one lost during the June 2018 floods. The 5,266 square foot substation will hold offices for tax, motor vehicle, planning and health departments. The... more »

• President’s Authority to Implement Tariffs Explained Play Video

  May 31, 2019 6:10 PM

  MCALLEN – The President has power that is given by Congress to declare emergencies and levee tariffs. Raising the tariffs on Mexican goods could impact the Rio Grande Valley economy. The peso isn’t as valuable as it was before the tariff. The idea is that Mexico is... more »

• Tariff Increase to Have Negative Impact on Economy Play Video

  May 15, 2019 5:20 PM

  WESLACO - Trade tariffs are on the rise after the president increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10% to 25%. CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Economics Professor Salvador Contreras. Contreras says the back-and-forth between the U.S. and China... more »

• TAX DAY: Federal Income Taxes Due Tonight Play Video

  April 15, 2019 3:46 PM

  WESLACO – The deadline to file taxes is here – Monday April 15 is the last day to file. If you haven’t filed your taxes and need more time, you can request an extension. The IRS will give you six more months to file without incurring a penalty... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Investigator Warns About Fraudulent Vehicle Titles Play Video

  March 18, 2019 5:06 PM

  HIDALGO – Fraud investigators are warning residents about fraudulent insurance claims and fake car titles. Hidalgo County fraud investigator, Cesar Solis, says people are using their tax refunds to buy new cars. Solis says he is seeing an increase in claims where people unknowingly buy new cars with... more »

• Local Tax Preparer Taking Measures to Ensure Accuracy Play Video

  March 11, 2019 4:50 PM

  WESLACO – A local tax preparer says he’s concerned over residents who abuse the Internal Revenue Service system. Sal Colmenero says he is dealing with the new implementation of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Colmenero says he is careful not to get fined for residents claiming... more »

• Local Homeowner to be Reimbursed for Property Tax Mistake Play Video

  March 6, 2019 3:40 PM

  WESLACO – A local homeowner says she has been taxed for an extra house on her property that she didn’t have. Maria Escobedo says she found out about the extra property tax through a real estate agent. “I’ve noticed that they are taxing me for a greenhouse that... more »

• Local Woman Inquiring about Wind Farm Benefits

  February 20, 2019 5:52 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – A local woman says she wants her restaurant to benefit from wind farms. Zulma Garza says she opened her restaurant in Rio Grande City in November. Garza says she has seen the growth in the amount of wind turbines being installed since she opened... more »

• Tax Collectors Offer Payment Options to Avoid Debt Play Video

  February 8, 2019 11:25 PM

  WESLACO – Some federal employees say they were worried about missing payments due to the shutdown. Cameron County Tax Assessor, Tony Yzaguirre, said the office received a lot of calls prior to the government re-opening. Yzaguirre taxes were due on Jan. 31 and the next tax deadline isn’t... more »

• Number of Veterans Charged for Free Services Increasing Play Video

  February 1, 2019 6:14 PM

  WESLACO – The Cameron County Veterans Services Director says there’s an increase of veterans paying for services when they should be free. Army and World War II veteran Edgar Hummert says he received his first claims check from Veteran’s Affairs this year. Hummert says he was denied benefits,... more »

• Office Hours Extended As Property Tax Deadline Nears Play Video

  January 31, 2019 5:24 PM

  WESLACO – Office hours in the Hidaglo County Tax Assessor’s Office are being extended to help residents avoid late fees. The deadline to pay property taxes is Thursday. Hidalgo County Tax Assessor Collector Paul Villareal says two of his offices will be open until 7 p.m. on Thursday.... more »

• Local Taxpayers Concerned Over New Tax Rules Play Video

  January 28, 2019 10:18 PM

  WESLACO - Local taxpayers are concerned over the new tax law, explaining dependent exceptions are no longer available. Most taxpayers will qualify for a larger standard deduction; however, some may be affected by no longer being able to claim dependents. Magdalina Oliva says she feels like something is... more »

• Cameron Co. Chief Appraiser Explains How Properties are Appraised Play Video

  January 17, 2019 6:42 PM

  SAN BENITO – Property taxes must be paid by the end of January in order to avoid penalties. CHANNEL 5 NEWS took a closer look into how properties are appraised. "Is it possible to go and visit every property each year? No it's not. But what we do... more »

• Local Business Sees Bump in Last Minute Donations Play Video

  December 27, 2016 7:48 PM

  MCALLEN – The new year is coming up which means there’s just a few days to sew up 2016’s financial details for things such as 401-K contributions, health savings accounts and charitable donations. Goodwill said it was one of the busiest times of year as they receive last minute donations.... more »