Texas · November 7, 2026
Texas county tax offices are mailing 2026 property tax bills this fall. The bills are due when you get them, and the usual last day to pay without a penalty is January 31. In 2027 that date falls on a Sunday, and Texas law moves the deadline to the next business day, so payments made by Monday, February 1 should still be on time. Confirm the exact date with your county tax office.
Texas homeowners pay a typical bill of $4,232 a year, about 1.49% of a typical home value of $283,800, according to Census survey figures for 2020 to 2024. That is the seventh highest effective rate of any state.
What happens if you pay late
Under the Texas Tax Code, unpaid taxes become delinquent the day after the deadline. Then:
- Right away: a 6% penalty and 1% interest are added.
- Each month after: the penalty grows by 1% a month until July 1, and interest keeps adding 1% a month.
- July 1: the penalty reaches 12%. Counties can also add a collection fee of up to 20% when the account goes to a delinquent tax attorney.
On a $4,232 bill, missing the deadline adds about $296 right away and more than $800 by July once collection fees are included.
Ways to spread out the bill
- Quarterly payments for seniors and others. If you are 65 or older, disabled, or a disabled veteran (or surviving spouse) with a homestead exemption, you can pay your homestead’s taxes in four equal installments without penalty. You must pay the first installment before the delinquency date and tell the tax office you are using the installment plan. The rest are due by the end of March, May and July.
- Half payment option. Some taxing units let anyone pay half the bill by November 30 and the other half by June 30 without penalty. Check your bill or ask the tax office whether yours offers it.
- Payment plans after the deadline. Many counties offer installment agreements for delinquent taxes. Penalties and interest still apply, but they can stop the account from going to collection.
Paid through escrow?
Most Texans with a mortgage pay through escrow, and lenders usually pay in December or January. Bills are mailed to the owner either way. If the bill shows that a lender requested it, you do not need to pay it yourself. Our escrow guide explains why your payment may change after the bill comes out.
Check your exemptions before you pay
Texas voters approved a larger school homestead exemption in 2025, and the exemptions for owners 65 and older and disabled owners also increased. If your bill does not show a homestead exemption and you live in the home, apply with your county appraisal district. The application is free, and the usual deadline is April 30. Read our Texas property tax guide and our guide to reading your bill.
Bills in the biggest counties
- Harris County: typical bill $4,489, rate 1.62%
- Dallas County: $4,798, 1.58%
- Tarrant County: $5,334, 1.65%
- Bexar County: $4,535, 1.73%
- Travis County: $7,727, 1.48%
Compare any county on the Texas page.
Sources: Texas Comptroller, paying your taxes · Texas Comptroller, property tax bills (publication 98-1086)
