When Are Texas Property Taxes Due?
Quick Overview
Texas property taxes are due by January 31 each year, with tax bills typically mailed to property owners in October. Missing the January 31 deadline triggers penalties and interest beginning February 1, with additional legal fees added from July 1 onward for accounts that remain delinquent.
Property taxes may come in the form of an annual tax statement, but several dates are important for homestead owners to take note of throughout the year. Key Texas property tax due dates include when taxes are due and when penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any delinquent taxes. Continue reading to learn about some key property tax dates and payment options that are available to property owners in the state of Texas.
Important Property Tax Dates
Many important dates relate to when property taxes are due and when penalties and interest take effect throughout the year. The current year’s tax request and initial payment are due by the due date on the bill (January 31 in most cases). Texas does allow split payments for property taxes, but this is typically an optional arrangement that needs to be agreed upon in advance with the tax office.
- October 1: Tax statements are mailed out to property owners, unless an election is required for voter-approved tax rates.
- October 31: The deadline for paying property taxes in most cases.
- February 1: Unpaid taxes become delinquent, and penalties and interest begin to accrue.
- July 1: Additional penalties are imposed to cover legal costs for collecting unpaid taxes.
- The first of each month: An additional 1 percent interest is charged on your unpaid taxes. After July 1, an additional 0.2 percent of legal costs is generally applied as well. Both interest and legal continue each month that the taxes remain unpaid. During the first year of unpaid taxes, additional penalties are also applied monthly, up until July 1.
It is essential to check with your county tax collector and mark the correct dates in your calendar. If a deadline falls on a non-business day, the date is extended to the next regular business day if the last day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or the effective date of the prior month.
Property Tax Payment Via Your Mortgage
A common property tax payment method used by many with mortgages is to pay through an escrow account that their lender maintains. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment will go into the escrow account, and your lender will use the accumulated money to pay your property taxes when they are due. As this relies on estimating what is owed, it is possible that what you have contributed will not cover all of your property tax according to the approval tax rate, requiring you to pay the difference when the tax is due.
Property Tax Payment Plans
In many cases, you can apply to pay your property taxes using various payment plans. These can include half-payment plans, with due dates typically on June 30 and November 30, and quarter-payment plans, with due dates generally on January 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30. These plans split your taxes into two or four equal payments throughout the year. Additionally, there is often a convenience fee of around 2.30 percent for credit and debit card payments.
Some county tax offices or appraisal districts may offer other installment options, such as a 10-month payment plan or a pre-payment plan similar to an escrow account. Special plans may be available for those over 65, individuals with disability exemptions, or disabled veterans. Tax collectors may also allow payment of delinquent taxes in installments for up to 36 months, but this option is generally available only for residence homesteads, comes with a bureaucratic process, and the potential for retroactive penalties for missed payments.
What to Do If You Miss the Deadlines
As you can see, from February 1 onward, your property tax account will accrue monthly penalties and interest if it is unpaid. Although it may not seem like much at first, the bill can quickly add up, leaving you with an amount that may be very hard, even impossible, to pay. The best way to avoid this is to stay up to date and pay by the January 31 deadline. However, if you should miss the deadline or find yourself unable to settle the bill, don’t panic. There are ways to solve the problem that won’t result in legal action, losing your home, or going into unmanageable debt.
As mentioned, a payment arrangement with your county tax office may be an option. This might enable the debt to be broken down into more feasible monthly payments. The payment schedules can be quite inflexible, making the county an ineffective resource for most.
A more manageable alternative is to apply for a property tax loan from a reputable lender like American Finance & Investment Co., Inc. (AFIC).
Property Tax Loans
A property tax loan can help homeowners resolve delinquent property taxes before additional penalties, interest, and collection costs continue to accumulate. Rather than paying the entire balance in a lump sum, a property tax loan pays the outstanding taxes in full and transfers the tax lien to the lender. This allows property owners to replace a growing tax obligation with structured monthly payments and repayment terms that better fit their financial situation. Depending on the timing, a property tax loan may also help prevent further collection activity and reduce the risk of foreclosure related to delinquent property taxes.
Benefits of a property tax loan may include:
- Affordable monthly payments
- Flexible repayment options
- Relief from escalating penalties and fees
- Protection against further collection activity
- Greater financial stability and peace of mind
Once the loan is finalized, the lender pays the delinquent tax balance directly to the taxing entity, bringing the account current and allowing the property owner to focus on repayment under the loan terms.
Get Support from AFIC
Founded in El Paso in 1946, AFIC has grown into one of Texas’s leading property tax lenders. As a family-owned company led by three generations of the Eisenberg family, we combine more than 125 years of industry experience with an A+ BBB rating and strong financial backing to help homeowners resolve delinquent property taxes with confidence.
We offer our clients an affordable, hassle-free way to ensure their account with the local government tax office is paid in full, and we will work out a manageable repayment plan for you. AFIC can provide you with an instant quote by completing the form on our homepage. For qualifying properties, we can help you pay off your delinquent taxes and offer you the following benefits:
- Quick and completely online process
- No money down
- No credit check
- Free 30-day rate match
- Match competitors and beat their rate by 1 percent
- Avoid high penalties and foreclosure
We pride ourselves on finding solutions to suit the unique needs of our clients. If you would like to discuss our property tax loans or establish the Texas property tax due date before contacting an attorney, please contact our experienced team at AFIC today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas property taxes that remain unpaid after January 31 become delinquent on February 1, triggering an immediate penalty of 6 percent on the outstanding balance. Additional interest accrues each month, and by July 1, further legal fees are added to cover collection costs. The combined penalty and interest can exceed 40 percent within the first year, making it important to act before the delinquency date.
Texas county appraisal districts typically mail property tax bills to property owners in October each year. If a voter-approved tax rate election is required, the mailing may be delayed. Property owners who have not received their tax bill by November should contact their county tax office to confirm their property address is current and request a duplicate statement if necessary.
The deadline to file a property tax protest with the appraisal review board in Texas is generally May 15 of the current tax year, or 30 days after the notice of appraised value is mailed, whichever is later. Missing this filing deadline means losing the right to challenge the assessed value for that tax year, which can affect your overall tax bill.
A property tax rendition is a form submitted to the appraisal district declaring the value of taxable property owned by a business as of January 1. The rendition filing deadline in Texas is typically April 15, though a 30-day extension may be granted for good cause. Filing on time ensures that the appraisal district has accurate information when determining the property’s taxable value.
Under Texas law, if a property tax deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is automatically extended to the next regular business day. This applies to the January 31 payment deadline as well as other key dates throughout the tax year. Property owners should confirm the exact due date with their county tax office each year to avoid unintentional delinquency.
