Texas property taxes are due by January 31, 2025, with a 10-day grace period before penalties begin
In Texas, property tax bills are due on January 31 each year. If you do not pay by that date, a penalty of 5 percent is added to your bill starting February 1. After that, interest accrues at roughly 1 percent per month on the unpaid balance. The good news: most Texas counties give you until around February 10 before they begin collection action, though the penalty itself starts when ready after January 31.
Your tax bill arrives in the fall — typically October or November — and shows the amount due, the property address, and the tax year it covers. The bill comes from your county tax assessor-collector's office, not from a city or state agency. If you have a mortgage, your lender may pay the taxes from an escrow account, in which case you do not handle the payment directly. If you own the property outright or your lender does not handle taxes, you are responsible for paying the county by the important date.
Key Takeaways
- Property taxes in Texas are due January 31, 2025, and a 5 percent penalty is added starting February 1 if you miss the important date.
- Your bill comes from your county tax assessor-collector in the fall, and the amount is based on your property's assessed value and your local tax rate.
- If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, your lender usually pays the taxes for you, and you do not need to send payment yourself.
- You can pay online, by mail, in person, or by phone through your county tax office, and payment methods vary by county.
- If you cannot pay the full amount by January 31, contact your county tax office about payment plans or deferral options before the important date.
How to pay your Texas property taxes
Payment methods depend on your county, but most offer at least three options. You can pay online through your county tax assessor-collector's website — search "[your county name] tax assessor-collector" to find the office. Online payment usually costs a small fee (typically $2 to $5) and processes within one to three business days. You can also pay by mail by sending a check or money order to the address on your bill, though mail takes longer and you should send it at least two weeks before January 31 to arrive on time.
In-person payment at the county tax office is free and when ready — you can walk in, hand over a check or cash, and get a receipt the same day. Many counties also accept phone payments using a debit or credit card, though these usually carry a processing fee. A few counties accept payment through third-party services like PayPal or Venmo, but this is less common. Check your bill or your county's website for the exact methods available in your area.
What happens if you miss the January 31 important date
Missing the important date triggers a cascade of costs. The 5 percent penalty is added automatically on February 1. After that, interest accrues at roughly 1 percent per month (the exact rate varies slightly by county and is set by state law). So if your bill is $1,000 and you pay on March 1, you owe roughly $1,050 plus interest for the month of February.
If you do not pay within a reasonable time — usually 60 to 90 days, depending on the county — the tax office may file a tax lien against your property. This means the county has a legal claim on your home until the taxes are paid. If the debt goes unpaid for several years, the county can foreclose and sell your property at a tax sale to recover the money owed. However, this process takes time, and most counties will contact you and offer payment arrangements before it reaches that point.
Payment plans and deferral options in Texas
If you cannot pay the full amount by January 31, contact your county tax assessor-collector's office before the important date to discuss options. Many counties allow you to set up a payment plan that spreads the bill over several months. The penalty and interest still explore, but a plan keeps you from falling further behind and shows the county you are working to resolve the debt.
Texas also has a tax deferral program for homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled, or surviving spouses of military members. This program allows you to defer (delay) payment of property taxes, though the taxes still accrue interest and become a lien on your property. The debt is typically paid from your estate after you sell the home or pass away. You must explore for deferral through your county tax office, and the important date to explore is usually around June 30 of the tax year, not January 31. If you think you may have access to, contact your county office early to understand the process and important date.
Understanding your property tax bill and rate
Your property tax bill is calculated by multiplying your property's assessed value by your local tax rate. The assessed value is set by your county appraisal district and is usually lower than the market value of your home. The tax rate is set by your city, county, school district, and any special districts (like water or fire districts) that serve your property. Each entity sets its own rate, and they are added together to create your total rate.
Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes are a major source of funding for schools, roads, and local services. Tax rates vary widely across the state — a home in one county might have a rate of 0.8 percent of assessed value, while a home in another county might be 1.2 percent or higher. Your bill shows the breakdown by entity, so you can see how much goes to schools, the county, the city, and other services. If you believe your assessed value is too high, you can challenge it through your county appraisal district, usually by April 30 of the tax year.
If your mortgage lender pays your taxes
If you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to pay property taxes through an escrow account as part of your monthly mortgage payment. In this case, you do not send a separate check to the county — your lender collects the money from you each month, holds it in escrow, and pays the county on your behalf before the January 31 important date. You should receive a statement each year showing what your lender paid and when.
Even if your lender handles the payment, you are still legally responsible if something goes wrong. If your lender fails to pay or miscalculates the amount, the tax office will pursue you for the debt. For this reason, it is worth checking your annual escrow statement to confirm the payment was made. If you refinance your mortgage or pay off your loan, make sure you understand whether you are now responsible for paying taxes directly, because the important date does not change — it is still January 31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Texas property taxes early?
Yes. You can pay anytime after your bill arrives in the fall, and paying early does not reduce the amount owed or earn you a discount. However, paying early means you do not have to worry about missing the January 31 important date. Some people pay in December or January to spread the cost across two calendar years for budgeting purposes.
What if I did not receive my property tax bill?
Contact your county tax assessor-collector's office when ready. They can resend the bill or tell you the amount owed. Missing the bill is not an excuse for missing the important date — the county's records show when the bill was mailed, and you are responsible for paying even if you never received it. You can also look up your bill online through most county websites.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I am renting?
No. The property owner pays property taxes, not the tenant. If you rent, your landlord is responsible for the tax bill. However, property taxes are often factored into the rent you pay, so you are indirectly contributing to the cost.
What is the difference between the tax year and the calendar year?
In Texas, the tax year runs January 1 to December 31, and the bill you pay in January 2025 covers taxes for the year 2024. The bill is due in January of the following year, so there is always a lag between when the tax year ends and when you pay.
Can I get a property tax exemption in Texas?
Texas offers exemptions for homesteads (your primary residence), agricultural land, and certain nonprofits and government entities. A homestead exemption reduces your assessed value and lowers your bill. You must explore through your county appraisal district, usually by April 30 of the tax year. If you own a home in Texas and have not applied, contact your appraisal district to see if you may have access to.