How to Pay Your Collin County Property Taxes
Where to send your Collin County property tax payment
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 the county office, which then distributes the money to all the taxing units that serve your property—your city, school district, community college, and any special districts.
The Tax Assessor-Collector's office is located in McKinney at 2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 100. You can mail a check or money order to this address, or you can pay in person during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on county holidays.
Do not mail cash. Include your account number (found on your tax bill) with your payment so the county knows which property the money is for. If you are paying multiple years or multiple properties, write each account number clearly on a separate check.
Key Takeaways
- Mail checks to the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector at 2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 100, McKinney, TX 75901, or pay in person during business hours.
- Online payment through the county website accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers, though credit and debit cards carry a processing fee.
- Property taxes in Collin County are due by January 31 each year, and penalties and interest begin accruing on February 1 if payment is late.
- You can set up automatic bank draft payments through the Tax Assessor-Collector's office to avoid missing the deadline.
- If you cannot pay in full, contact the Tax Assessor-Collector about payment plans or deferral programs you may be able to use.
Online and electronic payment options
The Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector's website allows you to pay online using a credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer. Go to the county website, find the Tax Assessor-Collector section, and look for the online payment portal. You will need your account number and the amount due.
Credit and debit card payments are processed by a third-party vendor and carry a convenience fee—typically 2.5 percent of the payment amount. Bank transfers (ACH payments) usually have a lower fee or no fee at all. The fee is added to your payment, so if you owe $1,000 and pay by credit card, you will pay approximately $1,025.
Online payments are usually posted to your account within one business day. If you pay close to the January 31 deadline, allow extra time for processing. Payments received after 5 p.m. on January 31 are considered late.
Automatic payment and payment plans
You can set up an automatic bank draft (ACH withdrawal) from your checking or savings account each year. Contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's office by phone at 972-548-4070 or visit in person to enroll. You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number, and you can choose whether the payment is withdrawn before or after you receive your bill.
If you cannot pay the full amount by January 31, the Tax Assessor-Collector may allow you to set up a payment plan. Contact the office to discuss your situation. Payment plans are not automatic—you must request one before the deadline. Once a plan is in place, you make smaller payments over several months, though interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid balance.
Homeowners over 65 and disabled homeowners may be able to defer property taxes under state law. Deferral postpones payment until the property is sold or transferred, though interest still accrues. You must apply for deferral before the deadline, and you must meet income limits set by the state.
Penalties and interest for late payment
Property taxes in Collin County are due by January 31. If payment is not received by the end of that day, a penalty of 6 percent is added to the unpaid amount on February 1. Interest of 1 percent per month (12 percent per year) also begins accruing on February 1 and continues until the bill is paid in full.
The penalty is calculated once, on February 1, but interest compounds monthly. If you owe $1,000 and pay on March 15, you owe the $1,000 plus $60 in penalty plus approximately $20 in interest. The longer you wait, the more interest accumulates.
If your property taxes remain unpaid for an extended period, the county may file a tax lien against your property or begin foreclosure proceedings. A tax lien gives the county a legal claim on your home and can damage your credit. Foreclosure can result in the loss of your home. Contacting the Tax Assessor-Collector as soon as you know you will be late is the best way to avoid these outcomes.
Understanding your tax bill and account number
Your property tax bill is mailed to you by October 1 each year and shows the total amount due, the deadline (January 31), and your account number. The bill also breaks down how much of your payment goes to each taxing unit—your city, school district, community college, and any other districts that tax your property.
Your account number is a unique identifier for your property and is printed on every bill and tax document. Always include this number with your payment, whether you pay by mail, online, or in person. If you lose your bill, you can find your account number by calling the Tax Assessor-Collector's office or by looking up your property on the Collin County Appraisal District website.
If you believe your tax bill is incorrect—because the property value is wrong, you are not receiving a homestead exemption you are may have access to to, or another reason—you can file a protest with the Appraisal District. A protest does not stop you from paying taxes on time; you still owe the amount shown on your bill by January 31, even if you disagree with it.
What happens if you move or sell your property
If you sell your property during the tax year, you and the buyer are responsible for dividing the tax bill based on the date of sale. This is called a proration. The title company handling the sale usually calculates the proration and collects the appropriate amount from the buyer at closing to pay your share of the taxes.
If you move out of Collin County, you are still responsible for paying property taxes on any property you own there until the deed is transferred to a new owner. The Tax Assessor-Collector will continue to mail bills to the address on file. Update your mailing address with the office if you move so you do not miss a bill.
If you own rental property or a second home in Collin County, you will receive a separate tax bill for each property. Each bill has its own account number and deadline. Pay each bill separately to avoid confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Collin County property taxes by phone?
The Tax Assessor-Collector's office does not accept phone payments directly. You can pay online through the county website, by mail, in person, or by setting up automatic bank draft. Call 972-548-4070 if you have questions about which method works best for you.
What if I pay my property taxes late but before foreclosure starts?
You can pay at any time, and the county will accept your payment. However, the 6 percent penalty and monthly interest remain on your account. If your property has been advertised for tax sale, paying before the sale date stops the foreclosure. After the sale date passes, the property may be sold to a third party and you could lose ownership.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I am on a fixed income or have financial hardship?
Property taxes are still due, but you may be able to defer payment if you are over 65, disabled, or meet other criteria set by state law. You must apply for deferral before the January 31 deadline. Contact the Tax Assessor-Collector to learn whether you may have access to and how to apply.
How do I know if my property is in Collin County?
Your property tax bill will say "Collin County" at the top. You can also search your property address on the Collin County Appraisal District website or call the Tax Assessor-Collector at 972-548-4070 to confirm which county collects your taxes.
Can I pay someone else's property taxes in Collin County?
Yes, you can pay another person's property taxes if you have their account number. However, paying someone else's taxes does not give you ownership rights or a legal claim on the property. The property owner remains responsible for the debt. If you are concerned about a property tax bill, speak with the property owner or an attorney.