How Often Do You Pay Property Taxes in Texas?
Understand the key aspects of paying property taxes in Texas. This guide helps homeowners navigate payment timelines, options, and compliance.
Property taxes in Texas represent a significant source of local government revenue, funding essential services like public schools, city infrastructure, and emergency services. Property values are assessed annually on January 1, forming the basis for these local taxes.
Payment Frequency
Property taxes in Texas are due and paid once a year. While the tax assessment is an annual process, the primary payment obligation for most homeowners is a single, lump-sum payment. Tax bills are mailed to property owners beginning in October of each year.
Payment Deadlines
The standard due date for Texas property tax payments is January 31 of the year following the tax year. For example, taxes assessed for 2024 are due by January 31, 2025. Taxes become delinquent if not paid by February 1, at which point penalties and interest begin to accrue.
If a tax bill is mailed after January 10, the delinquency date is postponed to the first day of the next month that allows at least 21 days for payment. For instance, if a bill is sent on January 15, the delinquency date would be March 1. Special installment payment options are available for certain taxpayers, including those who are disabled or at least 65 years old and qualify for a homestead exemption. These eligible individuals can choose to pay their taxes in four equal installments, with due dates on January 31, March 31, May 31, and July 31.
Payment Methods
Online payment portals are commonly available through county appraisal district websites, often accepting eChecks, credit cards, or debit cards. Convenience fees may apply when using credit or debit cards for online payments.
Payments can also be made by mail, typically using a check or money order, sent to the local tax assessor-collector’s office. In-person payments are usually accepted directly at tax assessor-collector offices.
Homeowners who have a mortgage often pay their property taxes indirectly through an escrow account. In such arrangements, a portion of the annual property tax amount is collected monthly as part of the mortgage payment. The mortgage lender then holds these funds in escrow and remits the full annual tax payment to the taxing authorities on the homeowner’s behalf. This system helps distribute the financial burden throughout the year, even though the tax itself is still billed annually.
Consequences of Non-Payment
Failing to pay property taxes by the January 31 deadline results in penalties and interest. On February 1, a penalty of 6% is typically added to the original tax amount, along with 1% interest. This penalty continues to increase by an additional 1% each month until July 1, when it reaches a maximum of 12%. Interest continues to accrue at 1% per month with no maximum.
Unpaid taxes lead to a tax lien attaching to the property on January 1 of each year, securing the payment of all taxes, penalties, and interest. This lien gives the taxing unit the legal authority to enforce collection. If taxes remain unpaid, the account may be assigned to delinquent tax attorneys, who can add an additional collection penalty of up to 20% of the total amount due, further increasing the debt. Prolonged non-payment can result in legal action, including foreclosure proceedings and the eventual sale of the property at auction to satisfy the tax debt. While property owners often have a period to redeem their property after a tax sale, losing a home due to unpaid taxes is a severe consequence.