When Are Property Taxes Due in Texas?

Every state does property taxes a little differently. To help you understand property tax collection in Texas a little better, here’s a timeline of each stage of the process:

January – April: The appraisal district, governed by a local board of directors, assesses and appraises your property.

The appraisal is based on the property’s fair market value on January 1st. During this period, the appraisal district also processes applications for tax exemptions.

Additionally, a property tax lien is attached to your property by your taxing unit.

Don’t worry—this is just a security measure granting your taxing unit the right to make a claim on your property if you end up delinquent on your property taxes.

April – May: The appraisal district notifies you of any significant increase in the appraised value of your property.

You may then file a dispute with the appraisal review board (ARB) if you consider the valuation unfair or if you did not receive an exemption for which you applied.

May – July: The ARB handles any property owner disputes relating to the appraisal or lack of exemptions granted.

August – September: Local tax authorities receive the appraisal data and determine the bills accordingly.

October: Property owners receive their tax bill in the mail from their local taxing unit or a county tax assessor-collector. It is due upon receipt in a single installment.

January 31 of the following Year: Last day to pay property taxes without penalty to the taxing unit who mailed you the bill. (If the 31 is a Saturday or Sunday, the last day to pay is the next business day).

February 1 of the following Year: Unpaid property taxes will begin to acquire penalties and interest.

July 1 of the following Year: Additional legal penalties and costs begin to accumulate for delinquent taxes. State law allows local taxing authority to file a lawsuit using the property tax lien set on your property.

This affects your credit score, ability to secure loans, and eligibility to rent property.

It also opens you up to the risk of lawsuit, which can lead to foreclosure—your taxing unit can sue you for the right to sell your property to collect the money for your overdue taxes.

This should be avoided at all costs. Taking out a property tax loan can help you avoid this consequence. If you can’t pay your bill in one installment, contact your taxing unit to ask about setting up a payment plan.

One option is a split payment—some offices will allow you to pay half of your bill on December 1 and the remainder by July 1 with no additional fees. Some offices also offer discounts for early payment.

About the Author: Direct Tax Loan is the largest online platform in the United States that connects top property tax lenders with residential and commercial borrowers. Regardless of where you are located in the state of Texas or Nevada, we’ll be thrilled to connect you with reputable lenders and help you pay off your property tax bill.