WHAT IS PROPERTY TAX? Property taxes are local taxes that are assessed locally, collected locally and used locally. You pay your property taxes to the local tax collector. The tax collector distributes funds to schools, cities, and other local governments. Local governments spend the funds on schools, roads, hospitals, police departments, fire departments, and other programs.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING PROPERTY TAXES? County Appraisal Districts appraise the value of your property. The Appraisal Review Board settles disputes between the appraisal district and property owners or taxpayers. Local Taxing Units set budgets and property tax rates. County Assessor Collectors collect taxes from property owners and distribute the funds to the local taxing units.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS UNDER THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION? The constitution sets out five basic principles for property taxes in our state: Taxes must be equal and uniform. No single property or type of property should pay more than its fair share... More information on the Texas Property Tax Code can be found at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

WHAT ARE MY REMEDIES? If you believe that your property value determination is too high or if you were denied an exemption or special appraisal valuation, you may protest to your ARB. If you do not agree with the decision of the ARB...

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR PAYING MY PROPERTY TAXES? Taxes are due when you receive your tax statement. Tax collections begin around October 1 and taxpayers have until January 31 of the following year to pay their taxes...

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PAY MY TAXES? Taxes are due when you receive your tax statement. Tax collections begin around October 1 and taxpayers have until January 31 of the following year to pay their taxes...

WHAT EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE? There are several partial and absolute exemptions available. Some of these exemptions include General Residential Homestead, Over 65, Over 55 Surviving Spouse, Disability Homestead...

DOES MY HOME QUALIFY FOR AN EXEMPTION? As a general rule to qualify for an exemption you must own your home and it must be your principal place of residence. Additional qualifications may apply based on the exemption.

WILL THIS PROTECT ME IN CASE OF A LAWSUIT? Texas has two distinct laws for designating a homestead. The Texas Tax Code offers homeowners a way to apply for homestead exemptions to reduce local property taxes. The Texas Property Code allows homeowners...
For more information on homestead designation as provided by the Texas Property Code please contact the Office of Attorney General at www.oag.state.tx.us.

HOW DO I FIND OUT THE APPRAISED VALUE OF MY PROPERTY? The chief appraiser sends out a detailed notice of appraised value to the owner of property annually. The notice of appraised value contains a description of your property, its value, the exemptions...

WHEN DO YOU MAIL NOTICES OF APPRAISED VALUE? The current years' notices of appraised value are typically mailed out mid April of each year. Values on the website are not updated until the notices have been mailed.