Elon Musk's Property Tax Bill
Elon Musk’s property holdings in Bastrop County have garnered much attention, especially given his expanding presence in the area. Let’s dive into publicly available data to see how much he is paying in property taxes and explore the details of his holdings.
Property Overview
Musk’s properties are situated around the intersection of highways 1209 and 969, just west of the city of Bastrop. Using tools like LandGlide and the Bastrop County Appraisal District’s (BCAD) website, we can identify and analyze these parcels.
Here’s a breakdown of some notable properties:
- Parcel 53987
- Type: Raw land
- Exemption: Agricultural (A)
- Taxes: $14.64
- Parcel 69963
- Type: Recently acquired raw land
- Exemption: Agricultural (A)
- Taxes: $30.12
- 126 Walker Watson (The Boring Company Site) Parcel 30991
- Type: Industrial/commercial site
- Assessed Value: $1.8 million
- Exemptions: Limited due to commercial use
- Taxes: $28,624
- Parcel 8730696
- Taxes: $1,193
- The Bodega Property (Twitter Facility) Parcel108530
- Assessed Value: $1 million
- Exemption: Agricultural (A)
- Taxes: $10,865
- Parcel 108529
- Taxes: $4,191.93
- Parcel 38279
- Taxes: $67.16
- Parcel 71438
- Taxes: $39.84
- Parcel 36088
- Taxes: $213.49
- Parcel 36088
- Taxes: $3,814.66
- SpaceX Starlink Factory Parcel 108531
- Assessed Value: $55 million
- Taxes: $857,000
- Parcel 35975
- Taxes: $17,472.47
- Parcel 13846
- Taxes: $3,158.18
- Parcel 73752
- Taxes: $3,089.82
- Parcel 25540
- Taxes: $109.76
- Parcel 79802 Ad Astra School
- Taxes: $0
- Parcel 79801
- Taxes: $0
Observations
Many of Musk’s properties benefit from agricultural exemptions, significantly lowering the tax burden. For example, parcels with no current commercial development but designated for agricultural use pay a fraction of the taxes compared to developed sites like the SpaceX factory.
Tax Contribution
The total estimated property tax across identified holdings amounts to approximately $929,911. While this may seem modest considering the size and value of his empire, agricultural exemptions play a significant role. These exemptions are available to all landowners who meet the criteria, regardless of their wealth or plans for future development.
Economic and Community Impact
Musk’s companies have brought thousands of high-paying jobs to Bastrop County, contributing to infrastructure and economic growth. However, opinions on this rapid development are mixed. Some residents appreciate the job creation and community investment, while others express concerns about environmental impact and infrastructure strain.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how Elon Musk’s properties contribute to Bastrop County’s tax base provides valuable context in discussions about development and community impact. Whether you view his presence as an opportunity or a challenge, it’s clear his companies are reshaping the area.
What are your thoughts on this? Share your opinions in the comments below. Let’s discuss how this growth is affecting Bastrop County and what it means for the future.
If you'd like to invest in Bastrop like Elon, give me a call at 512.998.1957 and we can discuss your goals.
