How To Pay Property Tax in Texas?

Property tax Texas

Property taxes in Texas are some of the highest in the USA. And, with taxes due on January 31st as the closing date of the tax year – just after the festive holiday season - it’s essential for homeowners to prepare for these costs. The amount owed every year will depend on the assessed value of your property. Penalties for delinquent property taxes in Texas will start accruing from February 1st or the first business day in February, should the 31st fall on a weekend. Here’s a guide for property owners on how often property taxes are paid in Texas from American Finance & Investment Company, Inc., (AFIC) the property tax loan specialists.

When Are Property Taxes Due in Texas?

In Texas, the final date for payment of property taxes is January 31 of each year. After this date, penalties and interest will begin to accumulate. Taxing Units in Texas are required to give property owners at least 21 days to pay their property taxes after the original tax bill has been mailed. Therefore, if your tax bill was only mailed after January 10, the delinquency date will be postponed. The delinquency date for each property will be printed on the property tax bill, and homeowners should remember that non-receipt of a property tax bill will not exempt them from delinquency penalties. Many property owners aim to pay their property taxes before the end of the year so they can deduct the payments from their federal income taxes.

How is My Property Tax Determined?

Every year the appraisers from the Appraisal District will determine the value of your property. Property owners are then given the opportunity to raise any disputes regarding the value of their property with the Appraisal Review Board. Once the tax assessed values are certified, they are passed on to the local taxing units, which will then set their property tax rates and mail out property tax bills to owners.

Your Right Under the Texas Constitution

The Texas Constitution sets out five basic rules for property taxes in the state

  1. Taxation must be equal and uniform
  2. Property must be taxed based on its current market value
  3. Each property must have a single appraised value
  4. All property is taxable unless the law exempts it from the tax
  5. Right to reasonable notice of increases in appraised property value

When Will I Receive My Property Tax Bill?

Property tax bills are sent out from October. So, you should receive yours well in advance of the January 31st deadline. If you haven’t received your property tax bill by December, you should contact your local tax offices for your county. If your mortgage company pays your property taxes on your behalf, they should receive the tax bill and ensure timely payment. If you have multiple properties, all of these properties should be listed on your bill.

How to Pay Your Property Taxes in Texas

Your local tax collection office can give you the exact details of the property tax payment options available in your county, but these generally include credit card payments and payment through an escrow agreement. Some county tax offices even allow the online payment of property taxes through an eCheck, debit card, or major credit card. The tax code also allows qualifying persons to receive a tax deferral (for example, if you are over 65 or disabled), a discount (for example, in some places like Bexar County, Dallas County, El Paso County, and Collin County, if you pay your taxes early), payment through installments, split and partial payments.

It is worth exploring the variety of partial or total exemptions from appraised property values used to determine local property taxes to see if you qualify:

  • Residence or Inherited Residence Homestead
  • Age 65 or older or Disabled Persons
  • Veterans
  • Charitable Organizations & Businesses

It is essential to contact your local tax collection office early to talk to them about different property tax payment options and see if you qualify for special payment terms. If they can’t help, we likely can at AFIC. We are property tax lenders who help people with delinquent property taxes in Texas. Click here to see our options for taxpayers.

What Happens if You Don’t Pay Property Taxes?

Texas currently has the 7th-highest property tax rate in the United States, with an average real estate tax rate of 1.80%. As Texas has no income tax, these funds are critical to providing local services to your community, including funding public schools, libraries, and infrastructure. As a result, you legally have to pay your tax bill. If you do not pay by 31 January, a 6% penalty and 1% interest will be added to your bill on February 1st, for a total cost to you of 7%! These penalties will grow each month, and attorneys hired to collect your property taxes can charge additional penalties of up to 20% to cover their fees. In most counties like Denton County, Ellis County, Fort Bend County, and Galveston County, the 20% attorney fee is applied to your bill on July 1st.

On 1 January of each year, a tax lien is placed on every property that is lifted when the property taxes are paid. This lien gives the courts the power to foreclose on your home or property in the event that you default on your property taxes, and sell it to the highest bidder.

There is no cap on the penalty fees and property owners will continue to see their penalties and interest rise each month. In the first year alone, penalties, fees, and interest can approach 44%. In the worst case, this could ultimately lead to losing your property to foreclosure, destroying your hard-earned equity.

What Should I Do if I Can’t Pay My Property Taxes in Texas?

If you receive your property tax bill and are unable to pay your delinquent taxes, it is important to act quickly to minimize your costs. Well before the deadline of 31 January, speak to AFIC about a home property tax loan. Our compassionate and experienced team is ready to assist you by providing you with a structured property tax loan designed to work with your financial situation. The earlier you contact us, the better we can help you.

We offer our clients an affordable, hassle-free way to ensure that your account with the local government tax office is paid in full and will work out an easy repayment plan for you. AFIC can provide you with a quotation within a minute by completing the form on our homepage. We can help you pay off your delinquent taxes and offer you the following benefits:

  • Quick, online process
  • No money down
  • No credit check
  • Free 30-day rate match
  • Avoid high penalties and foreclosure

To get help paying your property or real estate taxes before you incur penalties, contact us today or get a loan estimate by completing the form below.


Ernest Eisenberg

Ernest Eisenberg, President of American Finance & Investment Co., Inc. (AFIC), brings a wealth of expertise in non-traditional financing, including property tax loans and non-bank mortgage solutions. His vision is characterized by a commitment to offering flexible financing solutions to Texas property owners.

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APR between 8.0% and 25.0% for loan terms between 12 and 120 months. For example 8.5% APR, $25,000 loan, $750 in Closing Costs, 120 Monthly Payments of $303.32.

YOUR TAX OFFICE MAY OFFER DELINQUENT TAX INSTALLMENT PLANS THAT MAY BE LESS COSTLY TO YOU. YOU CAN REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE PLANS FROM THE TAX OFFICE.

If you are over 64 or disabled, don’t get a property tax loan, contact your tax office about a deferral.

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