Frequently asked questions
Answer-first explanations of how Texas property tax actually works, and what this site does and doesn't do.
Is there one property tax rate for my county?
No. Your bill combines separate rates from your county, city (if any), school district, and any special districts covering your exact address. These can differ by thousands of dollars within the same county, which is why this site never shows a single blended county rate.
How much is the Texas homestead exemption in 2025?
For school district taxes, $140,000 for most homeowners with a residence homestead (Tax Code §11.13(b), Proposition 13, November 2025), and $200,000 total for homeowners 65+ or disabled, adding a further $60,000 (§11.13(c)/(d), Proposition 11, November 2025). County, city, and special-district exemptions are set locally and are not assumed.
What is the 10% homestead appraisal cap?
Under Tax Code §23.23, once a home has qualified as a residence homestead for a full prior tax year, its appraised value for tax purposes can't increase by more than 10% per year, plus new improvements, even if market value rose further. See the homestead cap tool to check your own numbers.
Who qualifies for the over-65 or disabled exemption?
Homeowners 65 or older, or who meet the legal definition of disabled, with a residence homestead exemption on the property, qualify for an additional $60,000 school district exemption on top of the $140,000 general homestead exemption, for $200,000 total (Tax Code §11.13(c)/(d)).
What is the deadline to protest my property's appraised value?
Generally the later of May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails your notice of appraised value, under Tax Code §41.44. Check your own notice for the exact date.
Does protesting my value always lower my tax bill?
Only if the appraisal review board or appraisal district actually lowers your appraised value. The protest savings tool shows the dollar difference, by taxing unit, between your noticed value and a target value — it doesn't predict or guarantee an outcome.
What is the circuit-breaker appraisal limitation?
A separate, temporary 20% appraisal-increase limitation under Tax Code §23.231 applies to certain non-homestead real property with an appraised value at or below about $5 million, adjusted annually for inflation. It's informational context here, not what the homestead cap tool checks.
Which counties and appraisal districts does this site cover?
Rate tables are published for six counties: Travis, Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Tarrant, and Williamson, each manually verified against the Comptroller dataset and the local appraisal district. See the county pages.
Are MUDs, ESDs, and other special districts included automatically?
No. Special districts depend on your exact address, not just your county or city, so none are selected by default. Verify which special districts cover your property on your county appraisal district's website before relying on a result.
Is txpropertymath.com affiliated with the government or the Comptroller?
No. It's an independent, free self-help site — not a government site, not affiliated with any appraisal district, appraisal review board, or the Texas Comptroller — and it does not negotiate, represent, or communicate with any of them on a user's behalf.
Can a property tax consultant represent me, and does this site do that?
Licensed property tax consultants, regulated under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1152 through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), can negotiate and represent property owners for compensation. txpropertymath.com does not do this; it only computes arithmetic from numbers you enter. See the disclaimer.
Where does the rate data come from and how often is it updated?
From the Texas Comptroller's official 2025 property tax rates dataset (version 01/28/2026). It's refreshed when the Comptroller publishes a new annual dataset, typically each January; exemption amounts update promptly after any constitutional election that changes them. See methodology.