Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

Physical Address
100 W. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

In-Person Delivery
Please direct these items to the new City Tower location
City of San Antonio
Print & Mail Center
Attn: [ Person/Department ]
100 W. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

Mailing Address
The City's P.O. Box is strongly encouraged for all incoming mail.
City of San Antonio
Attn: [ Person/Department ]
PO Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283-3966

Phone
210.207.5734

Hours
Monday - Friday, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm Central Time
Email EDD

Contact Finance
 
Finance Department General Information
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the different groups in Finance?
The Finance Department has the following groups: 1) Accounting (encompasses Controller's Office, Disbursements and Shared Services (Fiscal and Time and Attendance), 2) Compliance and Resolution, 3) Financial Operations, 4) Financial Services (encompasses Financial Management and Revenue Divisions), 5) Public Utilities, 6) Purchasing, 7) Shared Services. The Department also has executive and administrative personnel.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where are the Finance offices located?
The Finance Department is located at 100 W. Houston (City Tower) San Antonio, Texas 78205.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I park?
There are parking lots in the area that are walking distance to City Tower.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who does financial planning for the City's goals and objectives?
The Financial Management Division provides short- and long-term strategic financial planning in order to efficiently and effectively utilize the City's financial resources to help it accomplish its goals and objectives.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who is the director of Finance?
The Director of Finance is Troy Elliott, CPA. He is Deputy Chief Financial Officer. His office can be reached at (210) 207- 8648.

Financial Statements and Information
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I view official statements from the Finance Department?
Documents posted from time to time set forth certain financial and other information regarding the City, including but not limited to information provided to satisfy the City’s undertakings under continuing disclosure agreements with holders of the City’s debt obligations. Financial Transparency provides access to previous City statements.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where are the City’s audited financial statements?
The City’s audited financial statements are located on the Financial Transparency page.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are continuing disclosures?
Continuing Disclosures are financial statements related to general obligation debt, revenue and expenditures, and revenue bonds that are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I get information about the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report?
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report page on the Finance Department’s website contains the current and past annual reports.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is a single audit?
A Single Audit, also known as the 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, is a rigorous, organization-wide audit or examination of a non-federal entity that expends $750,000 or more in federal assistance (in the form of grants, funds, and awards). A Single Audit also refers to the same Uniform Guidance rules and thresholds for State assistance (in the form of grants, funds, and awards). Single Audits are generally conducted annually and must be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, along with a data collection form, SF-SAC.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where would I find the City’s Management Letter?
The City’s Management Letter is available on the Management Letter page.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What’s the City’s annual budget?
The Adopted Consolidated Annual Budget for fiscal year 2020 comprised of all funds, excluding transfers, totals $2.9 billion. To see the budget document, visit the Financial Transparency page.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I find information on the City's budget?
The Office of Management and Budget develops and publishes the City's budget. Visit Financial Transparency for further information on San Antonio's budget information.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the City’s fiscal year?
The City’s fiscal year is October 1 to September 30.

Taxes
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I get information on property tax?
The City has an interlocal agreement with the Bexar County Tax Assessor Collector's Office to provide property tax billing and collection services for the City. The Bexar County Tax Assessor Collector's Office can be contacted by calling (210) 335-2251.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is Truth in Taxation?
Truth in Taxation ensures that the latest information on taxes is available to the public.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the City’s tax rates?

The property tax rate for the City of San Antonio consists of two components: Maintenance & Operations (M&O) and Debt Service. The fiscal year (FY) 2023 M&O tax rate is 33.011 cents per $100 of taxable value. The FY 2023 Debt Service tax rate is 21.150 cents per $100 of taxable value. These two tax rate components together provide for a total tax rate for FY 2023 of 54.161 cents per $100 of taxable value.

San Antonio’s current sales tax rate is 8.250% and is distributed as follows: 1.000% City of San Antonio; 0.125% dedicated to the City of San Antonio Ready to Work Program; 0.125% dedicated to the City of San Antonio Pre-K 4 SA Initiative; 0.250% San Antonio ATD (Advanced Transportation District); 0.500% San Antonio MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority); and 6.250% State of Texas.

The City of San Antonio’s Hotel Occupancy Tax rate is 9 percent, comprised of a 7 percent general occupancy tax and an additional 2 percent for the Convention Center expansion. The City also collects 1.75 percent for Bexar County.

The City and Bexar County tax is in addition to the 6 percent rate imposed by the State of Texas, which must be remitted separately to the State. For information on the State Hotel Occupancy Tax, please visit their website or call 1.800.252.1385.

 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do you have any information on hotel occupancy tax?

The City of San Antonio’s Hotel Occupancy Tax rate is 9 percent, comprised of a 7 percent general occupancy tax and an additional 2 percent for the Convention Center expansion. The City also collects 1.75 percent for Bexar County.  

The City and Bexar County tax is in addition to the 6 percent rate imposed by the State of Texas, which must be remitted separately to the State. For information on the State Hotel Occupancy Tax, please visit their website or call 1-800-252-1385.

Hotel Occupancy Taxes
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who must collect hotel occupancy taxes?

Every person owning, operating, managing or controlling any hotel shall collect the tax imposed and remit to the City. Hotel Occupancy Tax must be reported for each calendar month even if there are no Taxable Room Receipts.

A "hotel" is any building in which members of the public obtain sleeping accommodations for consideration. The term includes, but is not limited to a:

  • Hotel
  • Motel
  • Short Term Rental
  • Bed and Breakfast (B&B)

The term does not include hospitals, sanitariums, or nursing homes; or a dormitory or other housing facility owned or leased and operated by an institution of higher education, or a private or independent institution of higher education.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the city of San Antonio’s hotel occupancy tax rate?
The City of San Antonio’s Hotel Occupancy Tax rate is 9 percent, comprised of a 7 percent general occupancy tax and an additional 2 percent for the Convention Center expansion.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the county’s hotel occupancy tax rate?
Bexar County’s Hotel Occupancy Tax rate is 1.75 percent.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the state’s hotel occupancy tax rate?
The State of Texas imposes a 6 percent Hotel Occupancy Tax rate which must be remitted separately to the State. For information on the State Hotel Occupancy Tax, please visit the Texas Comptroller's website.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When are the tax reports due?

Hotel Occupancy Tax Reports are considered timely if received by the twentieth (20) day after the end of the Reporting Period. Reports must be received on or before the last day of the calendar month following the Reporting Period. Should the last day to file fall on a weekend or City of San Antonio official holiday, the report must be received no later than the next scheduled City workday. A report must be filed for every period, even if there is no amount subject to tax or no tax due. If you are a Short Term Rental, see specific filing requirement below:

Short Term Rentals

Online Short Term Rental filing of Hotel Occupancy Tax IS REQUIRED on or before the last day of the calendar month following the Reporting Period.  Because online reporting is available any day including weekends and holidays, the filing IS REQUIRED on or before the last day of the calendar month following the Reporting Period to avoid penalty and interest.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How are penalties calculated?
Beginning the first day of the second month following the Reporting Period, delinquent taxes accrue a five percent (5%) penalty. An additional five percent (5%) penalty accrues on the first day of the third month following the Reporting Period. The penalty shall never be less than five dollars ($5.00).
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How is interest calculated?
For the City, beginning the second month following the Reporting Period, delinquent taxes accrue interest on the first day of each month at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum or a monthly interest rate of 0.833%. For Bexar County, beginning the third month following the Reporting Period, delinquent taxes accrue interest on the first day of each month at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum or a monthly interest rate of 0.833%.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What if I do not owe any taxes?
If you have no Taxable Room receipts, please enter “0” in the Gross Receipts field, sign, and submit the return to the City of San Antonio Finance Department, Revenue Collections Division. If you are no longer in business, please note that on the report and return.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Why do we pay this tax?
The revenue derived from the Hotel Occupancy Tax is used to support tourism, convention activities, arts and cultural programming across the City, and the Convention Center expansion.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Are there special forms and reporting requirements to remit the tax collected?

The applicable forms can be accessed at Reporting Forms.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I obtain a copy of a hotel occupancy tax report form?

The applicable forms can be accessed at Reporting Forms.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What records do I have to keep?
Hotels must make their records available for inspection by the City at the hotel where the tax is collected. The City must have access to books and records to enable it to determine the correctness of any reports filed and the amount of taxes due to include any exemptions granted. Records must be retained for not less than 4 years.
Licenses and Fees
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the Guidelines and Rules for coin machines?
All coin-operated amusement machines located in San Antonio are required to display an Occupational Tax Decal issued by the City of San Antonio. The tax is $15 for each machine, and the decal is valid from June 1st through May 31st of the following year.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the contact information & hours of operation for the Finance Dept for Amusement Machine Licenses?
The collection of Amusement Machine permit fees is handled by Finance's Compliance and Resolution Division, which can be reached at 210-207-8660. The mailing address is: Finance Department, PO Box 839975, San Antonio, Texas 78283-3975.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I call for an Amusement Machine Inspector?
For an Amusement Machine Inspector, you may contact the Finance Department at (210) 207-8660.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the alcoholic beverage fee requirements?

The City levies a fee equal to half the amount of the State license or permit fee, unless otherwise prohibited by the State. These fees must be paid prior to the sale of alcohol at a location. The collection of alcohol beverage fees is handled by Finance's Compliance and Resolution Division, which can be reached at 210-207-8660. The mailing address is: Finance Department, PO Box 839975, San Antonio, Texas 78283-3975. The Liquor License Fee Schedule provides additional information for the City's alcohol license.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What phone number do I call regarding liquor fees?
You may contact the Compliance and Resolution Division regarding liquor fees by calling (210) 207-8660.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I get information on peddler or canvasser licenses?
Details about peddler or canvasser licenses can be found online or by calling (210) 207-8667.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who may I speak with regarding vendor permits?
You may contact the Revenue Division regarding vendor permits by calling (210) 207-8667.

Accounts Payable
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How can I contact Accounts Payable?

Accounts Payable can be reached:

By phone: 

210-207-2064

 

By mail: 

City of San Antonio

Finance Department - Accounts Payable,

P.O. Box 839976

San Antonio, TX 78283-3976.

 

By email:

For First-Time Submission of Invoices Only: accounts.payable@sanantonio.gov

For Statements and Status Inquiries: apteam@sanantonio.gov

 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What can I do to get my invoice paid faster?
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I drop off my invoices?
We are not able to accept invoices at the Finance offices at this time: we apologize for any inconvenience. Please email invoices to us at Accounts.Payable@sanantonio.gov or mail to City of San Antonio, Finance Department - Accounts Payable, P.O. Box 839976, San Antonio, TX 78283-3976.  See the Working with COSA (PDF) document for details on submitting invoices by e-mail.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How can I replace a stale dated or lost check?
If the check is within the past three years, please contact Accounts Payable at 210-207-2064 to assist you in replacing the check. If the check is dated more than three years ago and over $100, the funds may have been transmitted to the State of Texas as unclaimed property as required by law. If less than $100, it may be held at the City and you would need to submit a claim form. For additional information regarding unclaimed property, visit the Outstanding Checks and Unclaimed Property page.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I pick up my check?
Our policy is to mail all outgoing checks to our vendors.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the status of my payment?
Please contact Accounts Payable at 210-207-2064 (select prompt #1) to assist with the status of your payment. Please have your purchase order number, invoice number, and invoice dollar amount available when you call.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  I need information about my 1099.
Please contact Accounts Payable at 210-207-2064 (select prompt #2).

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How can I get information about receiving my payment via ACH direct deposit?
Please contact Vendor Support at vendors@sanantonio.gov or 210-207-0118 for ACH payment information.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  I have a new Tax ID number.  Who do I need to inform?
Please contact Vendor Support at 210-207-0118 or at vendors@sanantonio.gov.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  I have a new address.  Who do I contact?
Please contact Vendor Support at 210-207-0118 or at vendors@sanantonio.gov.
Open Records Request
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where/how can I make an open records request?
Requests must be in writing, according to the Public Information Act. This benefits and protects you, as the requestor. An online form is available for your convenience through our customer portal, but any written request will be accepted.

Returned Checks
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who handles returned checks?
The Accounting Division handles returned checks. For more information, contact the division at (210) 207-6958.

Outstanding Checks and Unclaimed Property
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I find outstanding checks and unclaimed property held by the City?
The Outstanding Checks and Unclaimed Property page provides information about outstanding checks and unclaimed property held by the City.

Credit Access Business Information (PayDay Loans)
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When is the credit access business (CAB) ordinance effective?
The ordinance is effective as of January 1, 2013.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Must I register my credit access business (CAB) with the City?
You are required to register only if you operate a CAB within the city limits of the City of San Antonio. Please see the registration forms or request a registration package from us.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How long is the CAB registration valid?
The registration is valid for one year from issue unless revoked, surrendered, or expired without renewal, or other termination of the registrant’s state license.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the CAB registration fee?
The non-refundable registration fee is $50.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does the CAB ordinance apply to all loans?
No. The ordinance only applies to payday and auto title loans and renewals of loans on or after January 1, 2013.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does the CAB ordinance apply to existing loans?
No. The ordinance only applies to loans and renewals of loans on or after January 1, 2013.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does the CAB ordinance restrict the amounts and the terms of loans?
Yes. The restrictions include:
  • Deferred presentment transactions may not exceed 20% of the customer’s gross monthly income.
  • Motor vehicle title loans may not exceed the lesser of 3% of the consumer’s gross annual income or 70% of the retail value of the motor vehicle.
  • Loans must be payable in no more than four (4) installments with the proceeds of each installment reducing the principal amount by at least 25%.
  • Loans may not be renewed or refinanced more than three (3) times.

There are other restrictions on the amounts and terms of loans that are detailed in the ordinance.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does the CAB ordinance require additional disclosures?
Yes. There are required disclosures that are detailed in the ordinance.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Is there a requirement that the consumer understand the CAB agreement?
Yes. Agreements must be written in the consumer’s language of preference. Every agreement must be made available in writing in English and in Spanish. For consumers who cannot read, every disclosure and every notice required by law must be read to the consumer in its entirety in the consumer’s language of preference, prior to the consumer’s signature.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Are CABs required to maintain records?
Yes. The CAB is required to maintain records for at least three (3) years. Other requirements are detailed in the ordinance.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Are there penalties for non-compliance with the CAB ordinance?
Yes. The penalty is a fine of not more than $500 for each offense for each day that a violation is committed, permitted, or continued. The City may have other remedies that apply as well.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Are all CABs in Bexar County covered by the ordinance?
No. Only CABs located within the city limits of the City of San Antonio are covered by the ordinance. To find out if a CAB is registered, check the City of San Antonio Licensed Credit Access Businesses list, email Finance or call 210-207-8687.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How can I find out if my CAB is registered?
To find out if your CAB is registered, check the City of San Antonio Licensed Credit Access Businesses list, email Finance or call 210-207-8687.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I file a complaint regarding the CAB ordinance?
Before filing a complaint, make sure the CAB is located in the City of San Antonio and that the loan or renewal was on or after January 1, 2013. Then, download the Complaint form and follow the instructions.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I get a copy of the new CAB ordinance?
A copy of the new ordinance is available online.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I get more information about CAB?
To obtain more information, visit the Payday Loans & Consumer Information page, email Finance or call 210-207-8687.

Utilities
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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does the City offer financial assistance for utility bills?
The City does offer utility assistance programs which are coordinated with CPS and SAWS. The various programs are managed by the City’s Human Services Department Center for Working Families (CWF), which can be contacted at 210-207-7830. The CWF provides additional information and standard requirements for all program assistance.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can the Public Utilities Division assist with complaints concerning cable or phone companies?
The following government agencies can assist with these matters. The regulation of companies providing local phone service is the responsibility of the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) in Austin, Texas. Complaints concerning these companies should be filed with the PUC at (512) 936-7120. The regulation of companies providing cable TV service is the responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, DC. Complaints concerning these companies should be filed with the FCC at (888) 225-5322.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who should I contact for questions or additional information regarding utility issues or utility bills?
The Public Utilities Division of the Finance Department provides advice and assistance for the City's regulatory oversight over CPS Energy (CPS), the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), cable television companies, and broadband communication companies operating within the City limits.

For additional information about your CPS, SAWS, or cable bills, please call:
CPS (210) 353-2222
SAWS (210) 704-7297
Spectrum (888) 438-2427 
AT&T (800) 288-2020
Grande Communications (210) 320-4600
Dish Network (800) 333-3474 
Comcast (800) 934-6489