How to Pay Your Bexar County Property Tax Bill
Where to send your Bexar County property tax payment
Bexar County property taxes are collected by the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector's office. You can pay in person at their main office in downtown San Antonio, by mail, online through their website, or by phone. The office is located at 233 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78205. Payment by mail should be sent to the same address.
Online payment through the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector website is the fastest way to confirm your payment was received the same day. You will need your account number, which appears on your tax bill. Phone payments are also available, though you will be charged a convenience fee by the third-party processor. In-person payments at the main office or at satellite locations throughout the county do not carry extra fees.
Your property tax bill is mailed in October or November each year. The bill shows the due date, which is typically in January of the following year, though the exact date varies. Payments received after the due date are subject to a penalty and interest charges that begin accruing immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Bexar County property taxes are due in January, with the exact date printed on your bill mailed in October or November.
- You can pay online, by mail, in person, or by phone through the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector's office at 233 W. Commerce Street.
- Online and in-person payments have no extra fees; phone payments charge a convenience fee added by the payment processor.
- Late payments trigger a penalty and interest charges that start the day after the due date passes.
- If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's office to discuss payment plans or other options.
What happens if you miss the due date
A penalty of 6% of the unpaid tax is added to your bill if payment is not received by the due date. Interest also begins accruing at a rate set by Texas law, which is currently 8% per year on the unpaid balance. Both the penalty and interest are calculated from the day after the due date, so even a one-day late payment triggers these charges.
If your property tax remains unpaid for an extended period, the county may file a tax lien against your property. This lien gives the county a legal claim on your home and can affect your ability to sell, refinance, or borrow against the property. The county can also begin foreclosure proceedings if taxes remain unpaid for several years, though the exact timeline depends on the total amount owed and other factors.
If you realize you will miss the deadline, contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's office before the due date. They can sometimes arrange a payment plan that allows you to pay in installments rather than in full by January. This does not eliminate the penalty and interest, but it may prevent a lien from being filed if you follow the agreed schedule.
How to set up a payment plan
The Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector's office can work with you to create a payment plan if you cannot pay your full tax bill by the due date. You must contact them before the due date passes to request this option. Payment plans are not automatic—you have to ask, and the office will review your situation to determine whether a plan is possible.
When you call or visit in person, bring your account number and be prepared to explain why you cannot pay in full. The office will tell you what monthly payment amount they can accept and how many months the plan will run. You will still owe the penalty and interest, but spreading the payments over time may make the bill manageable.
Once a payment plan is in place, you must make every payment on time. Missing a payment on the plan can result in the plan being cancelled and the full remaining balance becoming due immediately. Set a reminder for each payment date to avoid accidentally falling behind.
Understanding your property tax bill
Your Bexar County property tax bill shows several pieces of information you need to know. The account number identifies your property in the county system and is required for any payment or inquiry. The assessed value is what the county estimates your property is worth for tax purposes—this is not the same as the market value or what you paid for the home.
The tax rate is expressed as a dollar amount per $100 of assessed value. For example, if the rate is $0.85 per $100 and your home is assessed at $200,000, your tax would be $1,700 before any exemptions or adjustments. The bill will show any exemptions you have claimed, such as a homestead exemption, which reduces the assessed value and therefore the tax owed.
The due date is clearly marked on the bill. Some bills also show a discount for early payment, though this is not common in Bexar County. If you have questions about how your tax was calculated, the Tax Assessor-Collector's office can explain each line item on your bill.
Homestead exemption and other tax reductions
If you own and live in your home as your primary residence, you may be may have access to to a homestead exemption in Bexar County. This exemption reduces the assessed value of your home, which lowers your property tax bill. The exemption is not automatic—you must file for it with the Bexar County Appraisal District, not the Tax Assessor-Collector's office.
The homestead exemption application is typically due by April 30 each year. If you have never claimed one and believe you are may have access to to it, contact the Bexar County Appraisal District to request an application. Claiming the exemption can reduce your tax bill by several hundred dollars per year, depending on your home's value and the current tax rates.
Other exemptions may be available if you are over 65, disabled, or a surviving spouse of someone who was may be able to access. Each exemption has its own requirements and application process. The Appraisal District website lists all available exemptions and the deadlines for claiming them.
Paying property taxes through an escrow account
If you have a mortgage on your Bexar County home, your lender may require you to pay property taxes through an escrow account. This means you pay the lender each month, and the lender holds the money and pays your property tax bill when it is due. You do not pay the Tax Assessor-Collector directly in this arrangement.
Your mortgage statement will show the escrow payment amount, which is calculated based on your estimated annual property tax bill. If your tax bill increases, your escrow payment will increase as well. If your tax bill decreases, your escrow payment may decrease, though some lenders adjust escrow payments only once per year.
If you believe your escrow payment is incorrect, contact your lender's escrow department. They can explain how the payment was calculated and may adjust it if there has been a change in your property tax bill. Even if you pay through escrow, it is a good idea to keep a copy of your property tax bill for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bexar County property taxes online?
Yes. The Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector's website allows online payment using your account number from your tax bill. There is no convenience fee for online payment, and the payment is typically processed the same day. You will receive a confirmation number immediately after payment.
What is the penalty for paying late?
A 6% penalty is added to your unpaid tax, plus interest at 8% per year. Both charges begin the day after the due date. If you are even one day late, these charges apply to your bill.
How do I claim a homestead exemption?
Contact the Bexar County Appraisal District, not the Tax Assessor-Collector. The application is typically due by April 30 each year. You will need to prove you own the home and live there as your primary residence. The exemption reduces your assessed value and lowers your tax bill.
What if I cannot afford to pay my property tax bill?
Contact the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector's office before the due date to request a payment plan. They can arrange monthly payments over several months, though you will still owe the penalty and interest. Payment plans are not may provide, but the office will work with you if you reach out before the deadline.
Where do I send my property tax payment by mail?
Mail your payment to the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector, 233 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78205. Include your account number on the check or payment stub. Mail payments should arrive several days before the due date to ensure they are received on time.