Texas Property Tax Rate 2026: How to Find Your Local Rate, Calculate Tax

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Texas local tax rates · School, county, city, MUD, ESD and special districts

Find the Combined Local Rate That Actually Applies to Your Texas Property

Texas has no single statewide property tax rate. Your bill is assembled from the rates adopted by the local taxing units whose boundaries cover the property—often a school district, county, city and one or more special districts.

This guide shows where to find those rates, how to distinguish a proposed rate from an adopted rate, which taxable value belongs with each line, how to calculate an estimate and what buyers should check before trusting a seller’s current bill.

Find your local Texas tax database View Comptroller rate data Calculate an estimate
Property address County Appraisal account number Tax year Taxable values Taxing-unit list
TEXAS LOCAL RATE CONTROL MATCHING PROPERTY
SCHOOL DISTRICT Local adopted rate
COUNTY Local adopted rate
CITY Only when inside city
MUD / ESD / SPECIAL Boundary-specific rate
PROPERTY + TAXING UNITS MATCHED
Do not search for a single “Texas property tax rate.” The correct rate depends on the exact parcel and tax year. Two homes with the same mailing city or ZIP code can have different school, city, MUD, emergency-service or other special-district boundaries.
No state property tax

Texas property taxes are locally assessed, adopted and collected.

Rates are per $100

A displayed rate of 1.9000 means $1.90 per $100 of taxable value.

Latest statewide files

The Comptroller currently publishes reported 2025 taxing-unit rates.

2026 rate timing

Local proposed and adopted rates generally appear during late summer.

Official review

Texas guidance and rate resources checked July 28, 2026.

Start with your situation

Which Texas property tax number are you trying to find?

EXACT PROPERTY RATE Match the parcel to every taxing unit

Use the local tax database or tax statement—not a statewide average or ZIP-code estimate.

Follow the official lookup steps
2026 RATE Check whether it is proposed or adopted

During the late-summer process, rate databases can show calculations and proposals before final adoption.

Understand the annual timeline
TAX ESTIMATE Use taxable value and local rates

Calculate each taxing-unit line separately when taxable values differ.

Use the planning calculator
HOME PURCHASE Rebuild the seller’s estimate

Remove benefits that may not transfer, including caps, ceilings, exemptions and special appraisal.

Use the buyer checklist
BILL INCREASED Compare every value and rate line

A lower combined rate does not guarantee a lower bill when taxable value changes.

Diagnose the increase
PROPOSED TAX RATE Use Truth-in-Taxation records

Review no-new-revenue, voter-approval, proposed and adopted-rate information for each taxing unit.

Decode rate terminology

Go directly to the Texas property tax rate task

Start with the exact property. Then verify its taxing units, taxable values, tax year and rate status.

Direct answer

What is the Texas property tax rate in 2026?

There is no single statewide Texas property tax rate. Your exact rate is the total of the local rates adopted by the school district, county, city and special districts that tax your specific property.

A Texas property can be inside a county and school district but outside city limits. Another nearby property may also be inside a municipal utility district, emergency service district, hospital district, flood-control district, community-college district or other special district.

That is why a county average, city average, real-estate listing or online national calculator cannot reliably identify the rate for one parcel.

For a current owner

Use the official tax statement or local property-tax database and verify the property account and tax year.

For a buyer

Use the property’s taxing-unit list but recalculate taxable value based on the buyer’s expected exemptions and limitations.

For 2026 planning

Check whether each displayed number is a prior adopted rate, a current calculated rate, a proposed rate or the final adopted rate.

Current data timing: The Texas Comptroller’s statewide rate-and-levy page currently lists reported 2025 rates. For an exact 2026 property estimate, use the local Truth-in-Taxation database as taxing units publish and adopt their 2026 rates.
Exact property workflow

How to find the correct local rate for one Texas property

Identify the correct county Use the physical property location, not only the mailing city or postal address. A mailing city can differ from the taxing jurisdiction.
Open the Texas Property Tax Database Choose the county, then continue to the local Truth-in-Taxation system serving that appraisal district. Open Texas.gov Property Taxes
Search the exact appraisal account Use the property account number when available. Otherwise search by address or owner and verify the legal description, situs address and parcel.
Review every taxing unit Record the school district, county, city and every special district listed for the parcel.
Confirm the displayed tax year and rate status Look for labels such as prior-year rate, no-new-revenue rate, voter-approval rate, proposed rate or adopted rate.
Find the taxable value for each unit Do not assume that one taxable value applies to all units. Exemptions and ceilings can affect lines differently.
Calculate each taxing-unit amount Divide that unit’s taxable value by 100, multiply by its rate and repeat for every line.
Add the lines for a combined estimate Keep the individual calculations so you can identify which value or rate caused a change.
Verify against the official tax-office account Before paying or setting escrow, confirm the final bill, payment status, corrections, supplemental bills and delinquent amounts with the collector.
Alternative starting point: When you already have an official property-tax statement, use its taxing-unit table. It normally provides a faster and more precise starting point than searching statewide spreadsheets.
Private in-page planning tool

Estimate a Texas property tax bill from local rates

Enter your expected taxable value and the rates that apply to the property. Leave a rate at zero when that taxing unit does not apply. This tool performs the calculation in your browser and does not transmit the values.

Use taxable value after expected exemptions—not automatically market value.
Enter 0.9500 for a rate of $0.95 per $100.
Enter zero when the property is outside city taxing limits.
Add the applicable special-district rates before entering the total.
This divides the estimate only; it does not include lender cushions or insurance.
Combined local rate 0.0000%
Annual estimate $0
Monthly planning amount $0
Rate per $100 $0.0000
Estimated taxing-unit breakdown
School district $0
County $0
City $0
Special districts $0

Planning estimate only. The official bill may use different taxable values for different taxing units and may include corrections, ceilings, prorations, penalties, interest or special assessments not represented here.

Plain-English formula

Calculate a rate shown per $100 of taxable value

Taxable value After that unit’s exemptions
÷
100 Texas rate base
×
Tax rate Dollars per $100
Example: A taxable value of $300,000 with a rate of $1.90 per $100 produces an estimated tax of $5,700: $300,000 ÷ 100 × 1.90.
Do not calculate every line from market value. The school district, county, city and special districts can show different taxable values after exemptions, ceilings or other adjustments. For the most accurate estimate, calculate each line separately.
Jurisdiction decoder

Which local taxing units can appear on a Texas property?

Taxing-unit boundaries—not ZIP codes—determine which rates apply
Taxing unit What it generally funds Rate-search tip Common buyer mistake
School district Public-school maintenance, operations and debt. Verify the exact school district shown on the parcel record. Assuming the seller’s homestead or tax ceiling continues.
County County government, roads, courts, law enforcement and other services. Use the physical county even when the mailing city is elsewhere. Using the county rate as the complete combined rate.
City Police, fire, streets, parks and municipal operations. Confirm whether the parcel is legally inside city limits. Assuming a city mailing address means city taxes apply.
Municipal utility district Water, wastewater, drainage or development infrastructure and debt. Review all MUD or utility-district lines shown on the property. Ignoring a substantial MUD rate in a newer subdivision.
Emergency service district Fire protection, emergency response or ambulance services. Check unincorporated and fast-growing areas carefully. Comparing only county and school rates.
Hospital district Public hospital or healthcare services. Look for a separate hospital-district line. Treating a smaller rate as irrelevant to the annual total.
College district Community or junior-college operations and debt. Boundary coverage can differ from the school district. Assuming school-district boundaries answer every education-tax question.
Other special district Flood control, navigation, road, public improvement or other authorised services. Read every abbreviation and open the unit’s official budget or rate page. Omitting unfamiliar lines from the combined estimate.
A property can be inside several overlapping special districts. Never assume the rate attached to a nearby home applies until both properties show the same taxing-unit list.
Value before rate

Use taxable value—not automatically market value

The tax rate is only one side of the calculation. The appraisal district determines appraised values and administers exemptions. The final taxable value for each taxing unit can be reduced by exemptions, tax ceilings or other statutory treatment.

Market value

The appraisal district’s estimate of the property’s value as of January 1. It is not automatically the amount taxed.

Net appraised value

The value after an applicable appraisal limitation, such as a residence-homestead cap or eligible circuit-breaker limitation.

Taxable value

The amount remaining for one taxing unit after the exemptions and adjustments applicable to that unit.

Texas currently requires school districts to provide a $140,000 general residence-homestead exemption. Other mandatory and local-option exemptions may affect county, city and special-district taxable values differently.
Confirm that the homestead exemption appears on the correct property and year
Check for over-65 or disability exemptions and school-tax ceilings
Review disabled-veteran exemption treatment
Check local-option percentage or fixed-dollar exemptions
Verify agricultural or wildlife special appraisal separately
Recalculate after a sale, ownership change or new improvement
Review official Texas exemptions Read the exemption guide
Truth-in-Taxation terms

Do not confuse calculated, proposed and adopted tax rates

Rate labels serve different purposes during the local budget and adoption process
Rate term Plain-English meaning What it does not mean Best use
Prior-year adopted rate The rate adopted for the preceding tax year. That the same rate will apply this year. Historical comparison.
No-new-revenue rate A calculated comparison rate intended to produce approximately the same revenue from properties taxed in both years after statutory adjustments. A zero-tax-increase bill for every individual owner. Evaluating the relationship between values, rates and revenue.
Voter-approval rate A calculated limit that generally controls how much revenue can be raised without voter approval, subject to unit-specific rules. The rate has already been adopted or approved by voters. Understanding the local adoption threshold.
Proposed rate The rate a governing body is considering during its budget and tax-rate process. The final rate is guaranteed. Public review and hearing participation.
Adopted rate The final rate formally adopted by the taxing unit for that tax year. The final bill is known without taxable value and account adjustments. Final tax estimate and billing review.
M&O rate The rate used for maintenance and day-to-day operations. It includes all debt-service needs. Understanding the operating portion of a rate.
Debt rate The portion intended to fund eligible debt obligations. Every debt-related cost is shown identically for every unit. Reviewing the debt component of the adopted rate.
No-new-revenue does not mean every owner’s bill stays the same. Individual bills can rise or fall because taxable values, exemptions, new improvements, jurisdiction boundaries and unit-specific rates differ.
Read Texas Truth-in-Taxation guidance Review official rate calculations
2026 rate timing

When does a current Texas property tax rate become reliable?

Appraisal notices and protests

Property owners review proposed appraisal values and exemptions. The final 2026 adopted tax rate usually is not yet available at this stage.

Appraisal rolls are certified

Certified values allow taxing units to perform current-year rate calculations and budget planning.

Local rate information begins appearing

Texas deadlines generally require publicising calculated rate information and notifying owners about the local property-tax database by August 7 or as soon as practicable.

Proposals, hearings and rate adoption

Truth-in-Taxation databases are updated while local governing bodies consider budgets and rates. Check whether a number is proposed or adopted.

Tax bills are commonly mailed

Collectors prepare bills using certified taxable values and adopted rates, subject to later corrections or supplemental actions.

Usual payment deadline

Most Texas property taxes must be paid by January 31 and become delinquent February 1, unless the bill shows a postponed or different deadline.

Practical 2026 rule: A 2025 adopted rate can help with early planning, but it is not the final 2026 rate. Recheck the local database after the taxing units complete their 2026 adoption process.
Home-buyer protection

Estimate the buyer’s future bill—not only the seller’s current tax

A seller’s tax statement identifies the parcel and taxing units, but its taxable values may reflect benefits that end or change after closing.

Obtain the official appraisal record and most recent tax statement
List every taxing unit and adopted rate
Identify the seller’s homestead exemption and appraisal cap
Check for over-65, disability or veteran exemptions
Check for a school-tax ceiling or other frozen amount
Review agricultural, wildlife or other special appraisal
Identify recently completed or omitted improvements
Estimate the buyer’s taxable value after closing
Check MUD, ESD, PID and other district obligations
Budget a cushion until the first buyer-specific bill arrives
Common escrow shock: A lender may initially use the seller’s lower tax history. After the appraisal account updates and buyer exemptions are processed, the next escrow analysis can reveal a larger shortage and monthly-payment increase.
New construction

A prior bill may include only land or partially completed improvements. Check the expected completed-property value.

Recently developed subdivision

Review MUD, utility, PID, ESD and infrastructure-related obligations instead of comparing only city and school rates.

Rural or agricultural property

Confirm whether special appraisal can continue and understand possible rollback-tax consequences after a change of use.

Bill-change diagnosis

Why did the tax bill rise when the combined rate fell?

Compare the entire tax account—not only the headline rate
Possible cause Where to check What to compare Who handles it
Higher taxable value Appraisal district record and notices Prior and current market, appraised and taxable values Appraisal district
Exemption changed Exemption section and taxable-value lines Codes, amounts, taxing units and effective year Appraisal district
New improvement added Improvement detail and value breakdown Building size, class, completion and new value Appraisal district
Another unit increased its rate Tax statement and Truth-in-Taxation database Every unit’s prior and current adopted rate Taxing unit or tax office
New district or annexation Taxing-unit list and official boundary information Prior and current jurisdiction lines Appraisal district and taxing unit
Seller benefit ended Ownership, exemption, cap and ceiling history Seller’s treatment with buyer eligibility Appraisal district and tax office
Penalty or interest Tax-office balance and delinquency details Original tax with current payoff amount Tax assessor-collector
Useful call script: “I am comparing tax years [year] and [year] for account [number]. Can you help me identify whether the change came from taxable value, an exemption, a taxing-unit boundary, an adopted rate, a correction or delinquent charges?”
Accuracy safeguards

Avoid the mistakes that create unreliable Texas tax estimates

Replace shortcuts with property-specific official records
Mistake Why it fails Better action
Using a statewide average The average cannot reproduce the property’s local district boundaries. Use the exact parcel’s taxing-unit list.
Using only the county rate School, city, MUD, ESD and other lines are omitted. Add every applicable taxing-unit rate.
Using market value for every line Exemptions and ceilings can create different taxable values. Calculate from each unit’s taxable value.
Treating a proposed rate as final The governing body may adopt a different rate. Look for a final adopted-rate label and adoption date.
Trusting a listing-site tax number The number may be old, incomplete or based on seller benefits. Open the official appraisal and tax records.
Comparing properties by ZIP code ZIP codes do not define taxing-unit boundaries. Compare the official jurisdiction list for both parcels.
Assuming CAD sets rates Appraisal districts value property; taxing units adopt rates. Direct value questions to CAD and rate-adoption questions to the unit.
Ignoring the tax year A portal can show a prior adopted rate beside current proposed information. Verify year, status and adoption date for every rate.
Official action centre

Use the official Texas property tax resource for your task

Find the local property-tax database

Select the county and continue to the official local Truth-in-Taxation search.

Open Texas.gov Property Taxes
Reported taxing-unit rates

Download statewide rate-and-levy files for school districts, cities, counties and special districts.

Open Tax Rates and Levies
Truth-in-Taxation process

Understand no-new-revenue, voter-approval, hearing and rate-adoption requirements.

Open official guidance
Rate calculations

Review the official calculation framework used by local taxing units.

Read rate calculations
Exemption rules

Review residence-homestead, senior, disability, veteran and local-option exemption information.

Open exemption guidance
Payment and delinquency

Review normal payment timing, delayed bills, installments and delinquent-tax information.

Open payment guidance

Related AppraisalDistrict.org guides

Texas property tax calculator Texas exemption guide Senior tax exemptions
Editorial review and retained image

How this Texas property tax rate guide was rebuilt

AppraisalDistrict.org editorial reviewer working at a desk
Existing article image retained

The image previously published on this article has been preserved in the improved version. The tax-rate workflow, 2026 timing, calculation guidance, exemption information and official resources were independently regenerated using current Texas Comptroller and Texas.gov materials.

Reviewed July 28, 2026. Local rate proposals, adopted rates, taxable values, exemptions, district boundaries, tax bills and payment information can change after publication.

10 rate-specific answers

Texas property tax rate FAQs

What is the Texas property tax rate in 2026?

Texas does not have one statewide property tax rate. Your exact rate is the total of the locally adopted rates for the school district, county, city and special districts that tax the specific property.

Where can I find my exact Texas property tax rate?

Start with the Texas Property Tax Database or the county tax-office property search. Locate the exact account, review every taxing unit and confirm whether each displayed rate is proposed or adopted for the correct year.

How do I calculate Texas property tax using a rate?

When the rate is expressed per $100, divide the taxable value by 100 and multiply by the rate. Calculate each taxing-unit line separately when the school, county, city or special-district taxable values differ.

Why can one Texas property have several taxable values?

Exemptions, appraisal limitations and tax ceilings do not always apply identically to every taxing unit. The school district, county, city and special districts can therefore tax different values on the same parcel.

Does the appraisal district set the property tax rate?

No. The appraisal district appraises property, administers exemptions and supplies appraisal-roll data. Each local taxing unit adopts its rate, and the tax assessor-collector or another collector prepares and collects the bill.

Why did my bill increase even though the rate decreased?

Your taxable value may have increased, an exemption may have changed, a new improvement may have been added, another taxing unit may have raised its rate, or the account may include penalties or corrections. Compare every line of both tax statements.

What is the no-new-revenue tax rate?

It is a calculated comparison rate intended to produce approximately the same property-tax revenue from properties taxed in both the prior and current years after statutory adjustments. It does not guarantee an unchanged bill for each property owner.

What is the voter-approval tax rate?

It is a calculated rate that generally limits how much property-tax revenue a taxing unit can raise without voter approval, subject to rules that vary by the type of taxing unit. It is not automatically the final adopted rate.

Should a home buyer use the seller’s current tax bill?

Use it to identify the parcel and taxing units, but rebuild the estimate. The seller may have a homestead exemption, appraisal cap, senior or disability ceiling, veteran exemption or special land appraisal that will not apply to the buyer.

When are Texas property tax rates adopted?

Local rate calculations and proposals generally become available after appraisal rolls are certified. Truth-in-Taxation databases are updated during the late-summer process, and many taxing units adopt rates during August or September. Always verify the rate status and adoption date shown by the official local source.

Accuracy and independence notice

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational website. It is not a Texas appraisal district, county tax office, taxing unit, mortgage company, title company, the Texas Comptroller or another government agency.

Property values, exemptions, tax ceilings, taxing-unit boundaries, calculated rates, proposed rates, adopted rates, bills, penalties, interest and payment procedures can change. Verify the exact parcel, tax year, taxable value and adopted rate with the appropriate official appraisal district, taxing unit and tax-collection office before paying, closing, protesting, budgeting or setting escrow.

The calculator is a planning tool. It does not reproduce every local tax calculation and does not account for all ceilings, prorations, split taxable values, supplemental bills, special assessments, rollback taxes, corrections, penalties or interest.

Primary official sources reviewed: Texas.gov Property Taxes; Texas Comptroller Property Tax Assistance, Tax Rates and Levies, Truth-in-Taxation, Tax Rate Calculation, Notice Requirements, Property Tax Exemptions, Property Tax Law Deadlines, Property Tax Bills and Paying Your Taxes resources.

Free Appraisal District Property Tax Helper

Search Smarter, Estimate Taxes, Check Exemptions and Prepare for a Protest

Use this free tool before you visit a county appraisal district, property search portal, tax office, or exemption page. It helps you understand property value, taxable value, possible savings, protest value, and the next official step.

Start Property Helper
8 toolsSearch helper, tax estimate, exemption savings, protest prep and more.
For all countiesWorks as a sitewide tool on every appraisal district article.
No loginNo name, email, property ID or private information required.
Mobile-firstBuilt for visitors checking property records from a phone.

What do you need help with today?

Choose your main reason for visiting. The tool will show the best next step and quick estimate.

Homeowners

Use this tool to check your appraisal notice, exemption savings, protest value, and official next step.

Buyers and investors

Use the tax calculator before trusting only the sale price or mortgage estimate.

Property Search Helper

Use this when a county property search portal is confusing. It shows which search method is usually best.

Property Tax Estimate Calculator

Estimate annual property tax using appraised value, assessment ratio, exemptions, and combined tax rate.

Homestead and Exemption Savings

Estimate how much a homestead, senior, disability, veteran, or local exemption may reduce tax.

Appraisal Notice Review

Compare last year value with this year value and see whether the increase deserves closer review.

Property Tax Protest Savings

Estimate possible savings if your appraised value is reduced after protest, correction, evidence review, or appraisal review board hearing.

Property Tax Protest and Exemption Checklist

Use this checklist before you file a protest, apply for exemption, or call the appraisal district.

Useful tip

Before calling, write your property ID, owner name, property address, and question on paper. It saves time.

Common mistake

Do not call the CAD to pay tax bills unless the local article says they collect taxes. In many counties, the tax office collects payment.

Official Resource Finder

Enter county and state to create safe searches for official CAD pages, property search, tax payment, exemptions, maps, forms, and protest help.

CAD vs Tax Office

  • Appraisal District: value, exemptions, ownership records, maps, protest.
  • Tax Office: tax bill, payment, receipt, delinquent balance, penalty.

Best place to use this

Add this tool after the first major content section or before the FAQ area. It gives visitors a reason to interact before leaving the page.

Important estimate note

This tool gives educational estimates only. Final values, exemptions, tax rates, bills, payments, and deadlines must be confirmed with official county sources.

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