Topic
Money & Taxes
Texas has no state income tax, so local property taxes carry the load — set by your county appraisal district and a stack of local taxing units. Between exemptions, protest deadlines, and special districts, it gets confusing fast. Here is what helps you understand the bill and where to confirm the real numbers.
Local Notes
Money & Taxes notes
Texas-wide · Property tax
Texas does not have a state property tax
The bill is local, but the rules are state-shaped.
Texas-wide · Homestead
The school homestead exemption is now $140,000
For a qualifying residence homestead, the school-tax taxable value starts much lower than market value.
Texas-wide · Appeals
The protest deadline is usually May 15 or 30 days after notice
The deadline is easy to miss because it is tied to the appraisal notice.
Texas-wide · Appraisal
Texas appraisal value is generally a Jan. 1 snapshot
The value date is not the day you get the notice.
Texas-wide · Everyday cost
Texas sales tax stacks state and local pieces
The statewide 6.25 percent rate is not always the register total.
Texas-wide · New homes
New construction tax bills can start incomplete
The prior bill may show land only or partial improvement value.
Anderson County · Property tax / Homestead
Claim a Homestead Exemption to Lower Your Tax Bill
If Anderson County is your primary home, a homestead exemption cuts at least $140,000 from your appraised value for school taxes. You file once with the appraisal district.
Anderson County · Agricultural appraisal
Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value
Landowners who farm, ranch, or manage timber in Anderson County can apply for special appraisal based on what the land produces, not what it would sell for. This often means a much lower tax bill.
Anderson County · Property tax
Two Offices Handle Your Property Taxes in Anderson County
The Anderson County Appraisal District sets property values, and a separate Tax Assessor-Collector office handles billing and payment — both are in Palestine.
Andrews County · Property tax
How to apply for the homestead exemption in Andrews County
Texas homeowners can lower their property tax bill with a homestead exemption. You apply through the Andrews County Appraisal District — not the tax office.
Andrews County · Property tax
Two offices handle your property tax in Andrews County
Andrews County splits property tax work between the Appraisal District (values your property) and two separate tax offices (collect the bills).
Angelina County · Property tax
How to claim a homestead exemption on your Angelina County home
If you live in your Angelina County home as your primary residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill — but you must file the paperwork yourself.
Angelina County · Agriculture / Property tax
Timber and farm land in Angelina County can qualify for a lower tax valuation
Farm, ranch, or timber land in Angelina County may be taxed on what it produces instead of what it could sell for. That can sharply cut your property tax bill.
Angelina County · Property tax
Two different offices handle property taxes in Angelina County
Two offices handle your property taxes. One sets your home's value. The other sends the bill. Knowing which is which saves a wasted phone call.
Aransas County · Property tax
How the Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Property Tax in Aransas County
If your Aransas County home is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill.
Archer County · Property tax / Agriculture
Agricultural valuation can sharply cut Archer County land taxes
Farm or ranch land in Archer County may be taxed on what it can produce, not on what it would sell for. That can mean much lower taxes.
Archer County · Property tax
How to lower your Archer County property tax bill with a homestead exemption
If you live in your Archer County home, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that lowers your property tax bill.
Armstrong County · Property tax / Agriculture
Most Rural Land in Armstrong County Carries an Agricultural Valuation
Texas law lets farm and ranch land be taxed on what it produces, not what it sells for. This can cut the tax bill sharply on rural land.
Armstrong County · Property tax
Two Offices Handle Property Tax in Armstrong County
Armstrong County has two separate offices that deal with property tax. They do different jobs.
Atascosa County · Property tax / Agriculture
Agricultural special valuation in Atascosa County
Atascosa County landowners who farm or ranch may qualify for an ag valuation. It can cut your property tax bill sharply.
Atascosa County · Property tax
How to file for a homestead exemption in Atascosa County
If you own and live in your home in Atascosa County, filing a homestead exemption can lower your taxable value and cap how fast it can rise.
Austin County · Property tax
Austin County has two separate property tax offices
The appraisal district values your property and collects taxes. The tax assessor-collector handles vehicle titles and registration. They are different offices at different addresses.
Austin County · Agriculture / Property tax
Productive land in Austin County can qualify for ag valuation
Landowners who farm, ranch, or manage land for wildlife may qualify for ag valuation (1-d-1). It taxes land on what it produces, not what it would sell for — often a much lower bill.
Bailey County · Property tax
How Bailey County Property Taxes Work
Two offices handle Bailey County property taxes — one sets values, one sends bills. A homestead exemption can cut your school tax by $140,000.
Bandera County · Agriculture / Property tax
Ag valuation can sharply cut property taxes on rural land in Bandera County
In Bandera County, land used for farming or ranching can be taxed on what it produces instead of what it would sell for. This can mean a much lower tax bill.
Bandera County · Property tax
How property taxes and homestead exemptions work in Bandera County
Bandera County has a single appraisal district (Bandera CAD) that values property, and a separate tax office that collects taxes — you deal with different offices for different issues.
Bastrop County · Property tax / Agriculture
Agricultural Valuation Can Sharply Lower Your Land Tax
Land in Bastrop County actively used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management can be taxed on its agricultural production value rather than its market value.
Bastrop County · Property tax
Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Tax Bill
If you own and live in your home in Bastrop County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that removes $140,000 from your school district taxable value.
Bastrop County · Property tax
Two Offices Handle Your Property Tax — Know Which Does What
Bastrop Central Appraisal District sets your property value; the Bastrop County Tax Assessor-Collector sends your bill and collects payment.
Baylor County · Agricultural valuation
Ag valuation in Baylor County: lower taxes, but a rollback if you change the land
Texas lets qualifying farm and ranch land be taxed on its agricultural productivity value, not market value. That is usually much lower. But if you change how the land is used, you owe a rollback tax covering the past three years.
Baylor County · Property tax
How the homestead exemption cuts your Baylor County property tax bill
Texas lets homeowners who live in their primary home claim a homestead exemption. It lowers the taxable value of your home. Baylor County homeowners apply through the Baylor County Appraisal District in Seymour.
Bee County · Property tax / Agriculture
Ag Valuation: Lower Taxes for Farm and Ranch Land
Farm and ranch land in Bee County can be taxed on what it produces instead of what it would sell for, which usually means a lower tax bill.
Bee County · Property tax
Homestead Exemption Basics in Bee County
Texas homeowners in Bee County can reduce their taxable home value through a free homestead exemption filed with the Bee Central Appraisal District.
Bell County · Property tax
Agricultural and wildlife-management land valuation in Bell County
Bell County landowners who use their land for farming or wildlife can be taxed on what the land produces, not what it would sell for, which can lower the tax bill significantly.
Bell County · Property tax
Disagreeing with your Bell CAD appraisal: how to protest
Bell County property owners have the right to challenge their appraisal before the Appraisal Review Board each year, typically by a mid-May deadline.
Bell County · Property tax
How the homestead exemption cuts your property tax in Bell County
Texas law gives homeowners who live in their own home a significant exemption from school district property taxes, and Bell County residents must file with Bell CAD to claim it.
Bell County · Property tax
Special water districts and what they mean for your tax bill in Bell County
Parts of Bell County fall inside Water Control and Improvement Districts that levy their own property taxes separate from county and city taxes.
Bexar County · Property tax / Ag
Ag valuation can lower taxes on rural Bexar County land
Land used for genuine agricultural production in Bexar County can be taxed on its farming value instead of market value, which often results in a much lower property tax bill.
Bexar County · Property tax
BCAD sets the value; the tax office collects the bill
Two separate offices handle your property taxes in Bexar County—the appraisal district sets your value and exemptions, while the Tax Assessor-Collector's office sends the bill and collects payment.
Bexar County · Property tax
How to file your homestead exemption in Bexar County
Texas homeowners who live in their home as a primary residence can reduce their taxable value by filing a homestead exemption with the Bexar Central Appraisal District.
Bexar County · Property tax
Multiple property tax exemptions are available to Bexar County homeowners
Beyond the basic homestead exemption, Bexar County homeowners may qualify for more tax breaks based on age, disability, veteran status, or charity use.
Bexar County · Property tax
Over-65 and disabled homeowner tax relief in Bexar County
Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who qualify as disabled, can receive extra property tax exemptions and a tax ceiling that freezes the school district portion of their bill.
Bexar County · Property tax
Protesting your property appraisal in Bexar County
Every Bexar County property owner has the right to protest their appraised value with the Appraisal Review Board if they think the value is wrong.
Bexar County · Property tax
Your Texas ID must match your property address to get a homestead exemption in Bexar County
When applying for a homestead exemption in Bexar County, your Texas driver's license or state ID address must match the address of the property you are claiming.
Blanco County · Agricultural valuation
Ag and Wildlife Valuation Can Sharply Lower Land Taxes
Qualifying Blanco County landowners can pay taxes based on what their land produces, not what it would sell for. That can mean a much lower tax bill.
Blanco County · Property tax
Homestead Exemption Caps Your Annual Appraisal Increase
Once your home qualifies for a residential homestead exemption in Blanco County, state law limits how much the taxable value can rise each year.
Borden County · Agricultural valuation
Agricultural Valuation Can Sharply Cut Land Taxes on Borden County Ranches
Borden County landowners who ranch, farm, or manage wildlife can apply to pay taxes on what the land produces rather than what it would sell for.
Borden County · Property tax
Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Property Tax Bill in Borden County
Homeowners who live in their Borden County property as their primary residence can file a one-time homestead exemption application to reduce their taxable value and cap future appraisal increases.
Bosque County · Agricultural valuation
Ag valuation can sharply cut the tax bill on rural land in Bosque County
Qualified agricultural land in Bosque County is taxed on its productivity value rather than market value, which can mean a much lower tax bill for working farms and ranches.
Bosque County · Property tax
Two separate offices handle your property taxes in Bosque County
The Bosque Central Appraisal District sets your property value and handles exemptions; the Bosque County Tax Office sends your bill and collects payment.
Bowie County · Property tax
Texas raised the school-district homestead exemption to $140,000
Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 2025 that raised the mandatory school-district homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, retroactive to January 1, 2025.
Bowie County · Agricultural valuation
Timber and farm land can be taxed on productivity value, not market value
Under Texas law, land actively used for farming, ranching, or timber production can qualify for special appraisal — meaning it is taxed based on what it produces, not what it would sell for.
Bowie County · Property tax
You can protest your property appraisal every year in Bowie County
Texas law gives every property owner the right to challenge their appraisal each year by filing a protest with the Appraisal Review Board before the deadline.
Brazoria County · Ag valuation
Agricultural Valuation Can Sharply Cut Taxes on Rural Land in Brazoria County
Landowners who actively use acreage for farming, ranching, or wildlife management may qualify for agricultural productivity valuation, which taxes the land at a much lower rate.
Brazoria County · Property tax
How to Apply for Your Homestead Exemption in Brazoria County
Homeowners in Brazoria County can reduce their property tax bill by filing a homestead exemption with the Brazoria Central Appraisal District.
Brazoria County · Mineral rights
Mineral Rights Can Be Separated from Surface Rights in Brazoria County
When buying land in Brazoria County, mineral rights may already be severed from the surface estate, meaning someone else owns the oil, gas, or other subsurface resources beneath the property.
Brazoria County · Special districts
Municipal Utility Districts Add to Your Tax Bill in Brazoria County
Buying a home in a Municipal Utility District in Brazoria County means paying an extra property tax rate on top of county and school taxes.
Brazoria County · Property tax
Protesting Your Property Tax Appraisal in Brazoria County
Brazoria County property owners can protest their appraisal each year if they think their assessed value is too high.
Brazos County · Agricultural valuation
Ag valuation and wildlife management on Brazos County land
Qualifying rural land in Brazos County can be taxed on what it produces, not its market value. That can cut your tax bill sharply.
Brazos County · Property tax
Appraisal district vs. tax office: who does what in Brazos County
In Brazos County, two separate offices handle property taxes — Brazos CAD sets values and grants exemptions, while the Brazos County Tax Office collects bills.