How to Pay Your Collin County Property Tax Bill

Where to send your property tax payment in Collin County

Collin County property taxes are collected by the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector, not by individual cities or school districts. You send your payment to them, regardless of which city or school district your property sits in. The Tax Assessor-Collector's office is located in McKinney, but you do not have to visit in person — most people pay by mail, online, or through automatic withdrawal.

Your tax bill arrives in the fall, usually October or November, and is due by January 31 of the following year. If you do not receive a bill, that does not mean you do not owe — the property owner is responsible for paying whether or not a bill arrives. You can look up what you owe by searching your property on the Collin County Appraisal District website using your address or account number.

Key Takeaways

• Collin County property taxes are collected by the Tax Assessor-Collector's office in McKinney, and the deadline is January 31 each year.
• You can pay online through the Tax Assessor-Collector's website, by mail, in person, or by setting up automatic bank withdrawal.
• Payments made after January 31 are subject to a penalty of 5 percent, plus interest that accrues monthly.
• If you cannot pay in full, you can request a payment plan or look into homestead exemptions and other tax reductions before the bill is due.
• The Collin County Appraisal District website lets you view your property value and tax amount without waiting for a bill to arrive.

Online payment through the Tax Assessor-Collector

The fastest way to pay is through the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector's website. You enter your property account number or address, and the site shows what you owe. You can then pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. Credit card payments carry a convenience fee (the amount varies), while electronic check payments typically do not.

Online payments are processed immediately, and you receive a confirmation number right away. Keep that number for your records. The website also lets you set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic withdrawal, where the Tax Assessor-Collector pulls the payment from your bank account on a date you choose.

Paying by mail or in person

If you prefer to mail a check or money order, send it to the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector at their McKinney office. Include your property account number on the check so the payment is credited to the right account. Mail payments take several days to arrive and be processed, so send them early if you are close to the January 31 deadline.

You can also pay in person at the Tax Assessor-Collector's office during business hours. Bring your tax bill or property account number. Some Collin County cities and school districts also accept tax payments at their local offices, but those payments are forwarded to the Tax Assessor-Collector, so paying directly is faster.

What happens if you pay late

Any payment received after January 31 is subject to a 5 percent penalty on the amount owed, plus interest. Interest accrues at a rate set by the state and compounds monthly. The longer you wait, the more you owe beyond the original tax bill. A payment made in March, for example, will include the 5 percent penalty plus two months of interest.

If your payment is very late — typically 120 days or more — the county can file a tax lien against your property. A lien gives the county a legal claim on the property and can affect your ability to sell or refinance. The county can also refer the debt to a collection agency or, in some cases, begin foreclosure proceedings.

Payment plans and partial payments

If you cannot pay the full amount by January 31, contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's office before the deadline. You can request a payment plan that spreads the bill over several months. The office will work with you to set up a schedule, though you will still owe the 5 percent penalty and interest on any amount not paid by the deadline.

Partial payments are accepted and are applied to your account. If you send in part of what you owe before January 31, the penalty and interest apply only to the unpaid balance. Paying something is better than paying nothing, because it shows good faith and reduces the amount subject to penalties.

Reducing your tax bill before it is due

If you own your home as your primary residence, you may be may have access to to a homestead exemption, which lowers your taxable property value. You must file for this exemption with the Collin County Appraisal District by April 30 of the year you want it to take effect. If you have not claimed it, you can still file — it will reduce your bill starting the following year.

You can also protest your property's appraised value if you believe it is too high. The Appraisal District sends out notices of appraised value in the spring, and you have a window (usually 30 days) to file a protest. If your protest is successful, your tax bill will be recalculated. Protesting does not stop you from paying on time — you still owe the bill as assessed, but you can request a payment plan while your protest is pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my property tax bill at a bank or grocery store?

No. Collin County property taxes must be paid directly to the Tax Assessor-Collector through their website, by mail, in person at their office, or through automatic withdrawal. Banks and retail locations do not accept these payments.

What if I own property in multiple counties?

Each county collects its own property taxes. If you own property in Collin County and another county, you will receive separate bills and must pay each county's Tax Assessor-Collector separately. The Collin County bill covers only property located in Collin County.

Do I have to pay property taxes if I rent instead of own?

No. Renters do not pay property taxes directly. The property owner pays the tax bill, and the cost is often factored into the rent. If you are a renter, you have no tax payment obligation to Collin County.

What if I disagree with my property value?

You can file a protest with the Collin County Appraisal District. You have about 30 days after the Appraisal District mails you the notice of appraised value. A successful protest lowers your taxable value and reduces your bill for the following year. You still owe the current year's bill while your protest is pending.

Can I pay someone else's property tax bill?

Yes. Anyone can pay a property tax bill — you do not have to be the owner. You will need the property account number or address. Payments are credited to the property account regardless of who submits them. If you are paying on behalf of someone else, keep your confirmation number as proof.