Texas Property Tax Payment Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about paying your Texas property taxes, including deadlines, payment options, penalties, early payment discounts, and money-saving tips for 2026.
Quick Payment Calculator
If paid by Jan 31
$0
Current penalty (18%)
+$0
Total if paid today: $0
⚠️ Important: Deadlines Vary by County
Payment deadlines and discount schedules vary across Texas's 254 counties. This guide shows the most common structure used by major counties.
- • Most counties: January 31st full payment deadline
- • Some counties: February 1st or other dates
- • Always verify with your tax bill or county tax office
Important Payment Deadlines
Pay in Full Option
January 31st
Pay your entire tax bill by this date to avoid any penalties and interest.
Benefits:
- • No penalties or interest
- • One-time payment
- • Peace of mind for the year
Split Payment Option
1st Half: By November 30th
Pay at least 50% of your total tax bill
2nd Half: By June 30th
Pay remaining balance without penalty
Early Payment Discounts
Many Texas counties offer discounts for early payment. Common discount schedule:
| If You Pay In | Typical Discount | On $5,000 Tax Bill |
|---|---|---|
| October | 3% | Save ${amount} |
| November | 2% | Save ${amount} |
| December | 1% | Save ${amount} |
| January | 0% | No discount |
Penalty & Interest Schedule
| Payment Date | Penalty | Interest | Total Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| By January 31 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| February | 6% | 1% | 7% |
| March | 7% | 2% | 9% |
| April | 8% | 3% | 11% |
| May | 9% | 4% | 13% |
| June | 10% | 5% | 15% |
| July & After | 12% | 6% | 18% |
Payment Methods
Online Payment
Most convenient option - available 24/7
- ✓<strong>Credit/Debit Card:</strong> 2.25% convenience fee
- ✓<strong>E-Check:</strong> Flat $1.50 fee (best for large payments)
Visit your county tax office website to pay online
In-Person Payment
Visit your county tax office
- • Cash
- • Check or Money Order
- • Credit/Debit Card (fees may apply)
Office hours typically: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mail Payment
Send check or money order
- • Include tax statement stub
- • Write account number on check
- • Consider certified mail for proof
Through Your Mortgage (Escrow)
If you have an escrow account:
- • Your mortgage company collects 1/12 of annual taxes monthly
- • They pay the tax office directly from your escrow account
- • Payment is typically made in December or January
- • Critical: You're still responsible if they pay late!
Escrow Verification Steps:
- 1. Contact mortgage company in early January
- 2. Request proof of tax payment
- 3. Verify with county tax office by February 5th
- 4. Keep all documentation
Major County Payment Details 2026
Here are payment details for Texas's largest counties.
Harris County
- • Full Payment: January 31st
- • Split Payment: 50% by Nov 30, remainder by June 30
- • Early Discounts: Yes (Oct: 3%, Nov: 2%, Dec: 1%)
- • Online: hctax.net
- • Typical bill: $7,263 — the Harris rate on a $341k median, before exemptions
Dallas County
- • Full Payment: January 31st
- • Split Payment: Available
- • Early Discounts: Check with county
- • Online: dallascounty.org
- • Typical bill: $5,969 — the Dallas rate on a $345k median, before exemptions
Bexar County
- • Full Payment: January 31st
- • Split Payment: 50% by Nov 30, remainder by June 30
- • Early Discounts: Oct: 3%, Nov: 2%, Dec: 1%
- • Online: bexar.org/tax
- • Typical bill: $4,982 — the Bexar rate on a $265k median, before exemptions
Tarrant County
- • Full Payment: January 31st
- • Split Payment: Available
- • Early Discounts: Oct: 3%, Nov: 2%, Dec: 1%
- • Online: tax.tarrantcounty.com
- • Typical bill: $6,437 — the Tarrant rate on a $298k median, before exemptions
Professional Tips to Save Money in 2025-2026
Tip #1: Pay Early with E-Check
Nearly every Texas tax office charges a flat fee for e-check - commonly a dollar or two - and a percentage for card, typically between 2% and 2.5%. The fee is a percentage of the bill, so it scales with it: on a $6,000 bill a 2.25% card fee is $135 against about $1.50 for the e-check. The card earns points worth a fraction of that.
Tip #2: Take Advantage of Early Payment Discounts
Tax Code §31.05 lets a taxing unit ADOPT early payment discounts - 3% in October, 2% in November, 1% in December - but does not require it, and most large urban units have not. Check your bill: if the discount applies it is printed on it. Where it does apply, 3% of a $6,000 bill is $180 for paying three months early.
Tip #3: Set Calendar Reminders
Set reminders for October 1st (early discount), November 15th (split payment), and January 15th (final deadline). With 18% of Texans paying late in 2024, these reminders save avg $612 in penalties.
Tip #4: Verify Mortgage Payments
If paying through escrow, verify payment by February 5th. In 2024, 3% of mortgage companies paid late, leaving homeowners with penalties. Request proof of payment for your records.
Tip #5: Watch for November 2025 Tax Relief Vote
Texas legislature has proposed increasing homestead exemptions (SB4) and senior exemptions (SB23), but these are not yet law. Current exemptions remain $100,000 (homestead) and $10,000 (over-65/disabled). Monitor legislative updates for potential future changes.
Remember: Keep records of all property tax payments for your federal tax return. FreeTaxUSA provides free federal filing with easy deduction entry.
Special Payment Circumstances
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