When Do Texas Property Tax Bills Come Out?
Texas property tax bills are mailed starting October 1 each year. Here are the key dates for 2026:
- October 1, 2026 — Tax bills mailed
- January 31, 2027 — Payment deadline (last day to pay without penalty)
- February 1, 2027 — Penalties begin (7% + interest)
The exact mailing date varies slightly by county, but most Texas homeowners receive their property tax bills in October or early November. Bills are due by January 31 of the following year to avoid penalties and interest.
2026 Texas Property Tax Calendar
Here's the complete timeline of property tax dates for 2026:
- January 1, 2026 — Valuation date. Your property's value is assessed as of this date.
- April 1 - May 15, 2026 — Appraisal notices mailed by county appraisal districts.
- May 15, 2026 — Protest deadline (or 30 days after notice mailed, whichever is later).
- May - September 2026 — Informal hearings and ARB hearings.
- July 25, 2026 — Certified appraisal roll delivered to taxing units.
- October 1, 2026 — Tax bills mailed (or as soon as possible after).
- January 31, 2027 — Payment deadline. Last day to pay without penalty.
- February 1, 2027 — Penalties and interest begin accruing.
Understanding Your Texas Property Tax Timeline
January 1: Valuation Date
Texas property values are assessed as of January 1 each year. This means:
- Your property's condition on January 1 determines its value
- Market conditions as of January 1 are used for valuation
- Improvements completed before January 1 are included
April - May: Appraisal Notices
County appraisal districts mail Notice of Appraised Value forms in spring. Your notice includes:
- Your property's proposed market value
- Your property's proposed assessed value (may differ due to homestead cap)
- Previous year's values for comparison
- Instructions for filing a protest
- Online portal access information
Important: The protest deadline is calculated from when your notice is mailed, not when you receive it.
May 15: Protest Deadline
The standard protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later.
If you miss this deadline, you generally cannot protest your property's value until the following year. Mark your calendar and file early.
May - September: Hearings
If you file a protest, you'll go through:
- Informal hearing: Meet with appraisal district staff to negotiate
- ARB hearing: If informal doesn't resolve the dispute, present to the Appraisal Review Board
Most protests are resolved by late summer or early fall.
October 1: Tax Bills Mailed
County tax assessor-collectors mail property tax bills on or after October 1. Your bill shows:
- Final assessed value (after any protest adjustments)
- Tax rates for each taxing entity (county, city, school district, etc.)
- Total tax amount due
- Payment options and deadlines
Some counties mail bills earlier if the appraisal roll is certified early; others may be slightly delayed.
January 31: Payment Deadline
Property taxes are due by January 31 of the year following the tax year. For 2026 taxes:
- Bills mailed: October 2026
- Due date: January 31, 2027
- Last day to pay without penalty: January 31, 2027
February 1: Penalties Begin
If you don't pay by January 31, penalties and interest accumulate:
- February 1 — 7% penalty + interest
- March 1 — 9% penalty + interest
- April 1 — 11% penalty + interest
- May 1 — 13% penalty + interest
- June 1 — 15% penalty + interest
- July 1 — 18% penalty + additional interest
Penalties increase each month. An additional 20% collection fee may apply after July 1 if your account is referred for collection.
County-Specific Billing Dates
While October 1 is the standard start date, actual mailing varies by county:
- Harris County — Early to mid October
- Dallas County — Early October
- Tarrant County — Early October
- Bexar County — Mid October
- Travis County — Early to mid October
- Collin County — Early October
Check your county tax assessor-collector's website for specific dates.
What's on Your Property Tax Bill?
Your Texas property tax bill includes:
Property Information
- Property address and legal description
- Account number
- Owner name
Valuation
- Market value
- Assessed value (may be lower due to homestead cap)
- Exemptions applied
Tax Calculation
- Tax rates for each entity (per $100 of value)
- Tax amount for each entity
- Total tax due
Payment Information
- Due date
- Payment options
- Penalty schedule
How to Reduce Your Property Tax Bill
By the time you receive your tax bill in October, the assessed value is already set. To reduce future bills:
Protest Your Appraisal (Spring)
File a protest when you receive your appraisal notice in April-May. This is the only time to challenge your assessed value for the current tax year.
Apply for Exemptions
Common exemptions that reduce your taxable value:
- Homestead exemption: Up to $140,000 off school district taxes
- Over-65 exemption: Additional $10,000+ off school taxes, with tax freeze
- Disability exemption: Similar to over-65 benefits
- Veteran exemptions: Various amounts based on disability rating
Monitor Your Account Year-Round
Set reminders for:
- April: Watch for appraisal notice
- May 15: Protest deadline
- October: Bill mailed
- January 31: Payment deadline
Payment Options
Most Texas counties accept:
- Online payment: Credit card, debit card, or e-check
- Mail: Check or money order
- In person: Cash, check, or card at the tax office
- Escrow: Mortgage company pays from your escrow account
Installment Plans
Texas offers payment plans for certain situations:
- Over-65 or disabled: Can pay quarterly
- Deferred taxes: Over-65 and disabled homeowners can defer taxes until the property is sold
- Installment agreements: Some counties offer plans for delinquent taxes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why haven't I received my tax bill yet?
If it's after November and you haven't received a bill:
- Check your county's tax assessor website online
- Verify your mailing address is correct
- Contact the tax office directly
Non-receipt doesn't excuse late payment - you're still responsible for paying on time.
Can I protest after I receive my tax bill?
Generally, no. The protest deadline is May 15 (or 30 days after your appraisal notice). By October, the assessed value is finalized.
Exception: You may be able to protest if there's a clerical error or you acquired property after January 1.
What if I can't afford to pay?
Options include:
- Payment plans (check with your county)
- Tax deferral for over-65 or disabled homeowners
- Partial payments (apply to oldest taxes first)
Don't ignore the bill - penalties accumulate quickly.
Does protesting delay my tax bill?
No. You'll receive a tax bill in October regardless of protest status. If your protest is still pending, you may receive a corrected bill later.
Get Help With Your Property Taxes
The best time to reduce your property taxes is before you receive your bill - by protesting your assessed value in the spring.
At Ballard Property Tax Protest:
- We file your protest and gather evidence
- We attend all hearings on your behalf
- You only pay if we reduce your value
Sign up for your property tax protest before the May 15 deadline and potentially save hundreds or thousands on your October tax bill.