Arlington mayor currently engages in a payment arrangement with the Internal Revenue Service, facing a debt of $174,000 in unpaid taxes; city council colleagues affirm that the elected official's work remains undisturbed.
Arlington, Texas - Arlington Mayor Jim Ross is facing significant unpaid taxes, according to public records, owing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $174,945.93 in back taxes for the years 2015 and 2019. The IRS has initiated wage garnishment, targeting the $250 monthly stipend he receives as mayor. Ross is reportedly on a payment plan with the IRS to address this outstanding balance[1][3].
The tax debt, which includes penalties and interest amounting to approximately $940.39, has raised concerns among some Arlington residents about Ross' ability to responsibly manage the city's finances[1][3]. However, Ross continues to perform his duties as mayor, and his colleagues say his work has not been affected.
Two city council members, Andrew Piel and Mauricio Galante, have expressed their support for Ross, stating that his personal finances have not affected his ability to do his job effectively. Piel believes Ross cares too much about the people of Arlington, sometimes putting their interests before his own[1].
The city of Arlington is currently facing a $25 million budget gap in 2026 due to the Tarrant Appraisal District's decision not to reappraise property taxes next year or in 2027[2]. To avoid laying off 40 employees, the city may pull $4 million from the city's reserve fund. The city is also looking at reducing employee and retiree benefits, foregoing the usual 3% raise, and hiking taxes by up to 1 cent for every $100 of valuation[1].
Despite these financial challenges, Arlington has seen economic growth under Ross' leadership, with six companies moving their global or North American headquarters to the city, including Mozee and OverAir[1]. Ross doesn't believe his tax situation has affected his ability to do the job as mayor.
Ross left his business ventures in the hands of trusted employees when he was elected to council, reducing his law firm's staff from 50 or 60 employees to four, including one attorney[1]. Galante, who was endorsed by Ross in his campaign for council, openly disagrees with Ross when he thinks something is wrong[1].
Four out of the five members of the city council responded to KERA News' request for comment, with Raul Gonzalez and Bowie Hogg declining to comment[1]. The city has proposed around $19 million in cuts to the budget to avoid passing on the cost to taxpayers[2].
References: [1] KERA News. (2025, June 1). Arlington Mayor Jim Ross Owes IRS $174,945.93 in Back Taxes. Retrieved from https://www.kera.org/news/arlington-mayor-jim-ross-owes-irs-17494593-in-back-taxes [2] Arlington Voice. (2025, June 1). Arlington Faces $25 Million Budget Gap in 2026. Retrieved from https://www.arlingtonvoice.com/news/arlington-faces-25-million-budget-gap-in-2026/ [3] Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector records from June 2025.
- The unpaid taxes owed by Arlington Mayor Jim Ross to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have sparked concerns within the Arlington community about his ability to manage the city's finances, particularly in light of a proposed $25 million budget gap in 2026.
- In a bid to address this issue, Ross is reportedly on a payment plan with the IRS, while his colleagues on the city council have expressed their support, emphasizing that his personal finances have not affected his ability to do his job effectively.
- Meanwhile, the city of Arlington is exploring several strategies to cope with the looming budget gap, including pulling funds from the city's reserve fund, reducing employee and retiree benefits, foregoing the usual 3% raise, and increasing taxes.
- Despite these financial challenges, Arlington has experienced economic growth under Ross' leadership, with six companies relocating their headquarters to the city, contributing to the general news and policy-and-legislation of the area.
