Ad Valorem Tax
A county property tax on producing minerals, based on their appraised value. Common in Texas and other producing states.
Ad valorem tax is a property tax assessed on the appraised value of producing minerals. The phrase is Latin for "according to value" — the county appraises a producing royalty or working interest each year and taxes it like any other real property. In Texas, county appraisal districts handle this, and many oil and gas counties send a separate mineral tax bill.
Non-producing minerals usually carry little or no ad valorem value, since there is no income to appraise. Once a well comes online, the interest is valued off production and reserves, and the tax follows. Rates and rules vary by state and county, so the bill on a Reeves County royalty differs from one in Weld County, Colorado.
For a buyer, ad valorem tax is a real carrying cost that trims net royalty income. Factor it into any valuation, and ask a CPA about how it interacts with depletion. Our royalties guide covers what lands in your pocket after costs.