Property taxes in Texas can be complex, and missing a deadline is a mistake you don't want to make. Whether you are a new homeowner or a long-time resident, understanding the property tax calendar is essential to keeping your housing costs predictable.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly when property tax bills are due and how to pay them, the steep costs of paying late, and how to manage payments—whether you use an escrow account or pay directly.
Key Dates: When Do You Need to Pay?
While the Texas property tax timeline spans the entire year, there is one date that property owners must memorize: January 31.
Here is the essential schedule for Texas property tax payments:
October 1 (approximate): Your county mails tax bills to property owners on file for them to pay. If you haven't received yours by mid-November, contact your local tax office immediately.
January 1: In Texas, a lien is automatically attached to your property to secure the local government's claim for unpaid taxes and the ability to sue for foreclosure.
January 31: FINAL DEADLINE. This is the last day to pay your property taxes without incurring penalty and interest charges.
Note, this is for the previous year’s property tax bill. Example: Your 2025 property tax bill is due on January 31, 2026.
February 1: Taxes are now considered late and delinquent. Penalties and interest begin to accrue immediately.
July 1: Attorneys often collect the debt if taxes remain unpaid, and they add a collection penalty (usually 15-20%) to your tax bill.
Note: If January 31 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline gets extended to the next business day.
Escrow vs. Non-Escrow: How to Handle Your Bill
How you pay your taxes depends primarily on whether you have a mortgage with an escrow account. For a broader look at ownership costs, check out our first-time homeowner's guide to property taxes.
If You Have an Escrow Account (Most Homeowners):
How it works: A portion of your monthly mortgage payment is set aside in an escrow account. Your lender uses these funds to pay the tax bill on your behalf, usually between November and January.
Even though your lender pays the bill, you are still responsible for ensuring it is paid.
Action Item: Check your mortgage statement or look up your account on your county tax office’s website in late January to confirm the payment has posted.
If You Do NOT Have Escrow
If you own your home outright or waived escrow, the responsibility is entirely yours.
Action Item: Look for your bill in the mail in October. If you don’t receive it, go online to your county tax assessor's website to view and pay your bill.
Budgeting: We recommend setting aside funds monthly in a high-yield savings account so you aren't caught off guard by a large lump sum around the holidays or in January.
Delinquency: The Cost of Paying Late
Ignoring a property tax bill is expensive. Period.
Texas law mandates strict penalties for delinquent taxes. As soon as the calendar strikes February 1, you’re hit with a combined 7% charge (6% penalty + 1% interest).
These charges continue to accumulate each month the bill remains unpaid.
Texas Property Tax Penalty & Interest Schedule
Month Delinquent | Penalty | Interest | Total Added Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
February | 6% | 1% | 7% |
March | 7% | 2% | 9% |
April | 8% | 3% | 11% |
May | 9% | 4% | 13% |
June | 10% | 5% | 15% |
July | 12% | 6% | 18% + Collection Penalty Fee |
*Note: On July 1, an additional collection penalty of up to 20% may be applied to cover attorney fees, significantly increasing your total liability.
Example: If your tax bill is $5,000 and you wait until April to pay, you will owe an additional $550 (11% interest). If you wait until July, that cost could jump to over $1,500 once attorney fees are added.
Payment Options and Homestead Assistance
If you’re struggling to pay the full amount by January 31, there are legal avenues to help manage the burden, especially if you have the Texas homestead exemption.
1. Split Payment Options
Tax Code Section 31.03 allows some counties to offer a "Split Payment" option, allowing you to pay half your taxes by November 30 and the remaining balance by June 30 without penalty.
It is worth checking your local county website to see if this flexibility is available to you.
2. Quarter Payment Plan (Installments)
If you have an Over-65 or Disabled Person homestead exemption, you may pay your property taxes in four equal installments without penalty or interest.
1st Payment: Due by January 31
2nd Payment: Due by March 31
3rd Payment: Due by May 31
4th Payment: Due by July 31
Note, you must pay at least one-fourth of the tax by the January 31 delinquency date to avoid penalties.
3. Deferrals
Option A: Deferral for Over-65, Disabled, or Surviving Spouses/Children:
Homeowners aged 65 or older, or those who are disabled, can file the Tax Deferral Affidavit for Age 65 or Older or Disabled Homeowner. This postpones the tax bill as long as you own and live in the home.
Eligibility Criteria:
Age 65 or older.
Disabled, as defined by law.
Qualified disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses/children under 18.
Unmarried surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed on active duty and their unmarried children under 18.
The Catch: Taxes are not forgiven; they continue to accrue 5% interest annually. Once the home is sold or the owner passes away, the taxes (plus interest) become due by the estate.
Surviving Spouse: If the estate can't pay, the taxing authorities become creditors and can force the sale of the home to collect the debt. A surviving spouse (aged 55 or older at the time of death) may continue the deferral if they qualify and apply.
Heir Liability: While beneficiaries are generally not personally liable for the deceased's unpaid property taxes, if they inherit the property, they also inherit the tax lien and become responsible for settling the debt to retain ownership.
Form: Use Texas Comptroller Form 50-126, the Tax Deferral Affidavit for Age 65 or Older or Disabled Homeowner.
Interest: Deferred taxes accrue interest at an annual rate of 5%.
Option B: Deferral for Appreciating Residence Homestead Value
This option, under Tax Code Section 33.065, is for homeowners whose property's appraised value increased by more than 5% from the previous year (excluding new improvements). It allows deferring the taxes only on the portion of the value increase over 5%.
Eligibility Criteria: Any homeowner with a residence homestead exemption whose property value appreciation meets the 5% threshold.
Form: Use Texas Comptroller Form 50-274, the Tax Deferral Affidavit for Appreciating Residence Homestead Value.
Interest: The deferred taxes accrue interest at an annual rate of 8%.
Lower Your Bill Before It’s Due
The best way to manage property taxes is to ensure you aren't overpaying in the first place. While you can't change the tax rate, you can challenge the county’s assessed value of your home.
At Ownwell, we specialize in helping Texas homeowners reduce their property tax liability. Our experts handle the entire protest process for you, from evidence gathering to attending hearings.
Check Your Savings Potential: See how much you could be overpaying. It’s risk-free. You only pay if we save you money.
Remember, May 15 — or 30 days after your notice of value from the county hits your mailbox — is the last day you can protest your property taxes in Texas!
Don't wait until the bill arrives to think about your property taxes. Protesting your property taxes is the most effective way to keep your housing costs under control year after year.
