Save on Travis County Property Taxes
Ownwell's technology and tax experts save homeowners $774 on average.
See your Travis County property tax savings in ~15 seconds.
Ownwell Featured In
88%
Success Rate†
$774
Average Annual Savings‡
4.7★
3,000+ Google Reviews
25%
Savings Fee
What Does the Average Travis County Homeowner Pay in Property Taxes?
Travis County homeowners pay the highest average tax bills in Texas — driven by Austin's elevated home values, not high rates. Here's what a typical homeowner pays and how that compares to your bill.
Median Home Value
$550K
TCAD 2024 data
Avg. Annual Homesteaded Bill
$10,100
All taxing units combined
Effective Tax Rate
1.3%-2.1%
Among highest in Texas
Properties TCAD Values
420K+
Across all of Travis County
Is your bill fair and equal this year?
You may be overassessed. A $30,000 overvaluation costs you about $700 every single year, and compounds each year you don't challenge it. Ownwell can tell you in seconds.
Why Travis County Homeowners Pay the Highest Bills in Texas
Travis County is home to Austin, the state capital, and one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States. With no state income tax, Texas local governments fund public services almost entirely through property taxes, and Travis County homeowners feel that burden acutely.
Complex Taxing Structure
Travis County has 127 local taxing entities — including 54 MUDs and 16 emergency services districts. School district, city, county, healthcare (Central Health), and Austin Community College (ACC) taxes all stack on every property simultaneously.
Mass Appraisal Limitations
TCAD values hundreds of thousands of properties using statistical models, not individual inspections. Austin's rapid appreciation, tech-driven demand, and neighborhood-level market shifts are frequently missed at the individual property level.
Rising Assessments, 20% Cap for Most Non-Homestead Properties
Texas caps annual assessed value increases at 10% for homesteaded properties. Most non-homestead properties under $5M have a 20% circuit breaker cap (effective through 2026).
High Values Mean Higher Stakes
With Austin's median home value near $550,000, even a 3% overassessment costs homeowners $1,650+ per year in extra taxes. TCAD's appraisals are driven by Austin's high-demand market, but individual condition, location, and functional issues are routinely missed.
Travis County Property Tax Rates by Taxing Entity
Your total Travis County property tax bill is calculated by multiplying your assessed value by the combined rate of all applicable taxing entities.
Every property is subject to multiple overlapping jurisdictions — the county, Central Health, Austin Community College, your city, and your school district. Rates below reflect 2025 adopted rates; 2026 rates are not set until fall 2026.
| Taxing Entity | 2025 Rate (per $100 assessed value) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County | $0.3758 | Approximate; subject to annual adjustment |
| Central Health | $0.1180 | Applies countywide |
| Austin Community College (ACC) | $0.1279 | Applies countywide |
| City of Austin | $0.5240 | City of Austin residents only |
| Austin ISD | $0.9252 | Largest single component for most Austin homeowners |
| Round Rock ISD | $0.8931 | North Travis County |
| Leander ISD | $1.0869 | Northwest Travis County |
| Manor ISD | $1.0814 | East Travis County |
| Typical Combined Rate | 1.3% - 2.1% | Varies by address; driven by Austin's high home values |
Rates are approximate and sourced from TCAD public records. Verify your exact rates at traviscad.org.
How TCAD Calculates Your Assessed Value and What Can Go Wrong
Two values appear on your notice: market value and assessed value. For homesteaded properties, the 10% annual cap means your taxable assessed value can rise no more than 10% per year — even if your market value rose 25%. For non-homesteaded properties, there is a 20% cap on properties under $5 million.
Scale-Driven Errors
TCAD values over 420,000 properties. A 5% error rate means 21,000+ are overvalued in any given year.
Neighborhood Boundary Issues
Broad boundaries mean homes at the edges may be compared to properties in very different micro-markets.
Condition & Maintenance Ignored
Deferred maintenance, aging systems, and functional obsolescence are rarely captured by TCAD's automated models.
Informal Offers Are a Starting Point
TCAD's informal hearing process resolves protests quickly — for the district. Austin's fast-moving market means first offers are often anchored too high. Ownwell pushes further when the data supports a greater reduction.
Travis County Property Tax Protest Dates for 2026
Missing the protest deadline means waiting another full year — and paying the overassessment again. Ownwell files on your behalf before the deadline so you never miss your window.
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Valuation date — TCAD assesses your property's value as of this date |
| ~April 15, 2026 | TCAD expected to begin mailing Notices of Appraised Value |
| April 30, 2026 | Deadline to file homestead exemption for the 2026 tax year |
| May 15, 2026Key Date | Protest filing deadline — or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. Ownwell files for you. |
| June - October 2026 | Informal reviews and ARB hearings — Ownwell attends and negotiates on your behalf |
| October 2026 | Tax bills mailed by Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector |
| January 31, 2027 | Tax payment due — penalties begin February 1 for unpaid balances |
Travis County Exemptions You May Be Missing
Exemptions reduce your taxable assessed value before the tax rate is applied. Filing for every exemption you qualify for — and protesting your assessed value — work together to minimize your bill. Ownwell can help you identify and file for all applicable exemptions.
School district taxable assessed value is reduced by $140,000 for your primary residence (new for 2026). File by April 30. Available to all primary residence owners in Travis County.
Additional $60,000 reduction on your school district taxable value, plus a tax ceiling that freezes your school district tax amount. Applies to qualified seniors and disabled homeowners.
Partial or full exemption based on VA disability rating. Veterans with a 100% disability rating pay zero property tax in Texas. Surviving spouses may also qualify.
Ownwell Handles Your Travis County Protest From Start to Finish
Protesting your Travis County property taxes with Ownwell takes less than five minutes to start. Our technology analyzes your property, builds your case, and handles every step with TCAD — so you never have to attend a hearing or file a single form.
Enter Your Address
Ownwell instantly analyzes your property and identifies your best path to a reduction.
We Build Your Case
Our technology and local experts compare your assessment against real market data and comparable sales.
We File & Attend
Ownwell files your protest with TCAD and represents you through informal review and ARB hearings.
You Save
You only pay a percentage of the savings we secure. No reduction means no fee — ever.
How to Pay Your Travis County Property Taxes
Penalties and interest begin accruing on February 1 for any unpaid balance. If you have a pending protest, you are still responsible for paying by the deadline to avoid penalties — any overpayment will be refunded after a successful protest.
Pay Online
Visit tax-office.traviscountytx.gov to pay by credit card, debit card, or eCheck using your property account number.
Pay by Mail
Send a check payable to Celia Israel, Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector, at the address on your tax statement. Include the payment stub.
Pay In Person
Visit any Travis County Tax Office location with your tax statement or property account number.
Payment Plans
Qualifying homesteaded properties may enroll in installment payment options. Contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's office for eligibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travis County Property Taxes
What is the Travis County property tax protest deadline for 2026?
How much does Ownwell charge to protest my Travis County property taxes?
Is there any risk to protesting my Travis County property taxes?
Your property value cannot increase as a direct result of filing a protest.
What is the Travis County homestead exemption and how do I file for it?
It must be filed by April 30 each year. Ownwell can identify whether you've filed your homestead exemption and help you file if you haven't.
What is the effective property tax rate in Travis County?
With a median home value of around $550,000, the average homeowner with a homesteaded property pays roughly $10,100 per year in total property taxes.
How do I look up my Travis County property tax assessment?
Do I still have to pay taxes while my protest is pending?
If your mortgage is in escrow, property tax payments will be part of your monthly payments.