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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Cotton County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Cotton County, OK. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
~1% effective rate (varies by taxing districts including schools, fire protection, and special assessments)
1st Due
Oct 1
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Cotton County, Oklahoma operates under the state's property tax system, which funds essential local services including schools, county operations, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Cotton County are assessed annually based on property values as of January 1st and levied each October 1st for the current tax year. The effective tax rate in Cotton County typically ranges around 1% of assessed value, though this varies significantly based on your property's location within the county.

Your actual property tax rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your property, including school districts, fire districts, and other local service areas. These additional assessments are layered on top of the base county levy, meaning two properties with identical values can have different tax bills based on their specific location and the services provided in that area. Property owners should verify their exact tax rate and applicable districts with the Cotton County Assessor's office.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Base County Levy~0.35-0.45%Core county services and operations
School District~0.45-0.65%Local school district operations and facilities
Special Districts~0.10-0.20%Fire protection, rural water, other local services
Total Effective Rate~1.00%Combined rate varies by location

Rates shown are estimates for FY 2024-2025 and vary significantly by special taxing districts within Cotton County. Contact the Cotton County Assessor for exact rates applicable to your property's specific location and service districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Cotton County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Oct 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Cotton County are triggered when property ownership changes or when new construction is completed after the January 1st assessment date. When you purchase property or complete improvements, the assessor calculates a prorated tax bill based on the difference between the old and new assessed values for the remaining portion of the tax year.

For example, if you purchase a home in June that was previously assessed at $200,000 but now has a market value of $300,000, you would owe supplemental taxes on the $100,000 difference for the remaining months of the tax year (July through September). This supplemental bill is separate from the regular October 1st tax levy and is typically due within 30 days of the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$1,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $299,000
  • Annual Tax (at 1.0%): $2,990
  • Monthly Escrow: $249

Example 2: $600,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$1,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $599,000
  • Annual Tax (at 1.0%): $5,990
  • Monthly Escrow: $499

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$1,000
  • Less: Senior Credit (if qualified and applied): -$200
  • Net Taxable Value: $998,800
  • Annual Tax (at 1.0%): $9,988
  • Monthly Escrow: $832

Credits shown require separate applications and approval. Actual rates vary by special district location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Cotton County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of annual tax bills. Your lender collects monthly payments equal to 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill, plus a small cushion as allowed by federal law. These funds are held in escrow and disbursed directly to Cotton County when your October 1st tax bill becomes due.

Lenders typically analyze your escrow account annually and may adjust your monthly payment based on actual tax bills and account balance. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or new special district levies, expect your monthly mortgage payment to increase accordingly. You can verify escrow payments and balances through your lender's online portal, and you have the right to request an escrow analysis at any time to ensure accurate calculations.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Cotton County property taxes due for FY 2024-2025? A: Property taxes are due October 1st annually. The current tax year runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, based on assessed values as of January 1, 2024.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Oklahoma offers homestead credits and senior credits that reduce your tax bill, but these require separate applications filed with the Cotton County Assessor. These are not automatic and must be renewed periodically.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit limits assessment increases rather than reducing market value. You must apply with the County Assessor, and it caps how much your assessment can increase year-over-year, providing tax stability for primary residences.

Q: When can I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must typically be filed within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice. Contact the Cotton County Assessor's office for specific deadlines and appeal procedures for the current tax year.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur interest and penalties as specified under Oklahoma law. Contact the Cotton County Treasurer for current penalty rates and payment options if your taxes become delinquent.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Check with the Cotton County Treasurer's office for available online payment options, accepted payment methods, and any associated processing fees.

Q: Why did my tax bill change if my property value stayed the same? A: Tax rates can change due to new school bonds, special district levies, or changes in county funding needs. Your bill reflects both your assessed value and the current year's combined tax rate for your location.

Q: How do special districts affect my tax rate? A: Special districts for schools, fire protection, and other services add to your base county rate. Two identical properties in different parts of Cotton County can have different tax bills based on which districts serve each location.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
2025 COPO 1st Quarter - Oklahoma.govoklahoma.gov
02
County
cotton county - Oklahoma Digital Prairiedigitalprairie.ok.gov
03
State
HOME_IncomeLmts_State_OK_...huduser.gov
04
County
Cotton County - State Auditor and Inspectorsai.ok.gov
05
State
Untitled - Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspectorsai.ok.gov
06
Tax Doc
AD VALOREM TAX LAWS 2021 - Oklahoma.govoklahoma.gov
07
State
Overview of State Issuesoksenate.gov
08
2026 Form 994 Application for Property Valuation Limitation ...oklahoma.gov
09
County
COTTON COUNTY - Oklahoma Digital Prairiedigitalprairie.ok.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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