How to Pay Your Travis County Property Taxes
Where and how to pay Travis County property taxes
Travis County property taxes are collected by the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector's office. You can pay online through their website using a credit card or debit card, by mail with a check, in person at their office in downtown Austin, or by phone. Online payment is the fastest route—the system accepts payment immediately and sends you a confirmation number the same day.
The Tax Assessor-Collector's office is located at 5501 Airport Boulevard, Building A, Austin, TX 78702. If you pay by mail, send your check to P.O. Box 149192, Austin, TX 78714-9192. Include your account number on the check so the payment reaches the right property. Phone payments go through an automated system; the office charges a convenience fee for this method, which varies depending on the payment processor they use that year.
Property tax bills in Travis County are mailed in October each year. The first installment is due by January 31, and the second installment is due by June 30. You do not have to split the payment—you can pay the full year's tax in one lump sum if you prefer, as long as it arrives by the first deadline.
Key Takeaways
- Travis County property taxes are collected by the Tax Assessor-Collector's office, and you can pay online, by mail, by phone, or in person.
- Bills arrive in October, with the first installment due January 31 and the second due June 30 of the following year.
- Online payment through the Tax Assessor-Collector's website is the fastest method and provides an immediate confirmation number.
- If you pay by mail, include your account number on the check and send it to the P.O. Box listed on your bill.
- Late payments trigger a penalty and interest charges that compound monthly, so paying by the deadline protects your account.
What happens if you pay late
If your payment does not arrive by the deadline, Travis County adds a penalty to your account. The penalty starts at 7 percent of the unpaid tax amount. Interest also begins to accrue at a rate set by Texas state law, which is currently 8 percent per year, though this rate can change. Both the penalty and interest are calculated from the original due date, not from the date you eventually pay.
The longer the account stays unpaid, the more expensive it becomes. After two years of non-payment, the county can place a lien on your property, which means the unpaid taxes become a legal claim against the home. If taxes remain unpaid for three years, the county can sell the property at a tax sale to recover what is owed. This process is separate from foreclosure and moves faster.
If you know you cannot pay by the deadline, contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's office before the due date. They do not have a formal payment plan program, but they can discuss your situation and explain what options exist under Texas tax law. Waiting until after the deadline makes the conversation harder and the debt larger.
Understanding your property tax bill
Your Travis County property tax bill shows the assessed value of your property, the tax rate applied to that value, and the total amount owed. The bill also lists which entities are collecting a portion of your payment—typically the county, your city or precinct, and your school district. Each entity sets its own tax rate, and your total bill is the sum of all of them.
The assessed value on your bill may differ from what you think your home is worth. The Travis County Appraisal District sets assessed values based on property sales in your area, not on a professional appraisal of your home. If you believe the assessed value is wrong, you can challenge it through the appraisal review process, which usually happens in the spring. Lowering the assessed value lowers your tax bill.
Your bill also shows any exemptions you have claimed—homestead exemptions, over-65 exemptions, or disability exemptions reduce the taxable value. If you have not claimed an exemption you are may have access to to, you can file for one during the annual filing period, usually in April and May. The exemption applies to the next year's bill, not the current one.
Payment options for people with financial hardship
Texas does not have a formal property tax deferral or forgiveness program for homeowners in financial hardship. However, if you are over 65 or disabled, you may be able to defer your property taxes until the property is sold or transferred. This is called a tax deferral, and it freezes your tax bill at its current amount while you live in the home. Interest still accrues, but no penalty is added.
To explore a deferral, contact the Travis County Appraisal District at 512-834-9600. They handle exemptions and deferrals for Travis County. You will need to provide proof of age or disability and show that you meet the income limits set by Texas law. The income limits change each year and are based on your household income.
If you own your home outright and are facing foreclosure due to unpaid taxes, some nonprofits in the Austin area offer emergency assistance or can connect you with legal aid. The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service can point you toward organizations that help with property tax issues. These services are free or low-cost.
How property taxes are assessed and when they change
The Travis County Appraisal District reassesses all properties every year. If your home sold recently, your assessed value will likely jump to match the sale price. If your home has not sold, the appraisal district estimates its value based on comparable sales nearby. This means your assessed value can rise even if you have not made improvements to the property.
Property tax rates are set by the entities that collect them—the county, your city, and your school district. These rates are voted on by elected officials and can change year to year. A higher rate, a higher assessed value, or both will increase your bill. You can find the current rates on the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector's website and on your city and school district websites.
If you receive a bill that is significantly higher than the previous year, check whether the assessed value increased, the tax rate increased, or both. The bill itself will show the year-over-year change. If the change seems wrong, you can file a protest with the appraisal district before the deadline listed on your bill.
Paying taxes on a rental property or investment property
If you own rental property or investment property in Travis County, the same payment deadlines and methods apply. The bill is mailed to the address on file with the appraisal district, which is usually the property address itself unless you have updated it. Make sure your mailing address is current so you do not miss the deadline.
Rental property owners can deduct property taxes as a business expense on their federal income tax return. Keep your payment receipts and the annual bill for your records. If you use a property manager, confirm that they are paying the taxes on time—the liability for late payment falls on the owner, not the manager.
Investment properties are assessed the same way as owner-occupied homes, but you cannot claim a homestead exemption. You may be able to claim a business exemption if the property is used for a specific business purpose. Contact the appraisal district to ask whether your property qualifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments for my property taxes?
The Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector's website allows you to pay online, but does not offer automatic recurring payments. You can set a reminder on your calendar for January 31 and June 30, or you can mail a check each year. Some banks allow you to schedule bill payments through your own banking app, which you can use to send a check to the Tax Assessor-Collector's office automatically.
What if I pay my property taxes through escrow with my mortgage lender?
If your mortgage lender collects property taxes through an escrow account, they handle the payment to Travis County on your behalf. You do not pay the Tax Assessor-Collector directly. Make sure your lender has the correct mailing address and account number, and confirm that they are paying by the deadline. If your lender misses a deadline, the penalty and interest still apply to your account, even though you paid the lender on time.
How do I find out what my property taxes will be before I buy a home?
Use the Travis County Appraisal District's online search tool to look up the current assessed value and tax rate for any property in the county. Multiply the assessed value by the combined tax rate to estimate the annual bill. Keep in mind that the assessed value may change after you purchase, especially if the sale price is higher than the previous assessed value.
Can I appeal my property tax bill if I think it is too high?
You can file a protest with the Travis County Appraisal District if you believe the assessed value is incorrect. The protest deadline is usually in May, and the deadline is listed on your bill. You do not need a lawyer to file a protest. The appraisal district will review your claim and either uphold or lower the assessed value. If you disagree with their decision, you can appeal to the Appraisal Review Board.
What happens if I inherit a property in Travis County?
The property will continue to be taxed under the current assessed value until it is transferred to your name. Once the deed is recorded with the Travis County Clerk, update your mailing address with the appraisal district so you receive future bills. If you sell the property, the new owner will receive the bill. If you keep it, you become responsible for paying the taxes on the deadline.