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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Chambers County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
2.5-3.2% of assessed value (varies by taxing entities: county, school districts, MUDs, ESDs)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Chambers County, Texas, serve as the primary funding source for essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The county operates under Texas Property Tax Code regulations, with taxes assessed annually based on market value as of January 1st and collected by the Chambers County Tax Assessor-Collector's office.

Effective property tax rates in Chambers County typically range from 2.5% to 3.2% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county. The actual rate you pay varies significantly based on the combination of taxing entities that serve your property, including the county, school districts, municipal utility districts (MUDs), emergency services districts (ESDs), and other special purpose districts. For fiscal year 2025, the base county rate is 0.439746%, but most property owners pay additional assessments from multiple overlapping jurisdictions.

Property assessments in Chambers County are subject to Texas's 10% annual increase cap for homestead properties, provided you have filed the appropriate homestead exemption. This cap limits how much your assessed value can increase each year, regardless of market value changes, offering important protection against rapid property value appreciation.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
Chambers County General0.439746County operations, roads, law enforcement, courts
Road & Bridge Special0.0051County road maintenance and bridge infrastructure
School Districts1.00-1.35Varies by district (Anahuac ISD, Barbers Hill ISD, etc.)
Emergency Services Districts0.08-0.12Fire protection and emergency medical services
Municipal Utility Districts0.30-0.75Water, sewer, drainage (where applicable)
Hospital Districts0.15-0.25Public healthcare services (where applicable)
Navigation Districts0.03-0.05Port and waterway maintenance (coastal areas)

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 tax year (FY 2025-2026). Your specific tax rate depends on which combination of these taxing entities serve your property location. Properties in incorporated cities may have different rate structures. Contact the Chambers County Appraisal District at (409) 267-2441 to determine your exact taxing entities and combined rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Jan 31
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

Chambers County does not typically issue supplemental tax bills during the tax year like some other Texas counties. However, property owners may receive additional assessments in specific circumstances. New construction or improvements completed after the January 1st assessment date are generally added to the following year's tax roll rather than prorated for the current year.

Property ownership changes do not trigger immediate supplemental assessments, but the new owner becomes responsible for all unpaid taxes from the current and previous years. If significant improvements are made to a property and discovered during the tax year, the county may issue a corrected assessment, though this is uncommon.

For new construction projects, taxes begin with the first full tax year after completion. For example, a home completed in March 2025 would first appear on the 2026 tax roll, with taxes due by January 31, 2027. Property owners should budget accordingly, as the first full year of taxes on new construction often represents a significant increase from the vacant land assessment.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Standard Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • General Homestead Exemption: $40,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $160,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.85% (example rate including all districts)
  • Annual Tax: $4,560 | Monthly Escrow: $380

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Over-65 Exemptions

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • Over-65 School Exemption: Additional $35,000
  • County Over-65 Exemption: $200,000 + $40,000 homestead
  • Net Taxable Value: $225,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.75%
  • Annual Tax: $6,188 | Monthly Escrow: $516

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home with Homestead Only

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • General Homestead Exemption: $40,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $860,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 3.10%
  • Annual Tax: $26,660 | Monthly Escrow: $2,222

Note: All exemptions require annual application and approval. Tax rates vary by specific location within Chambers County based on taxing districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Chambers County require property tax escrow accounts for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly payments equal to 1/12 of your estimated annual tax bill, plus a cushion typically equal to 2-3 months of payments as required by federal regulations.

Property taxes in Chambers County are due by January 31st each year, covering the period from January 1st through December 31st. Lenders typically pay your taxes in January when they become due. Your escrow account is analyzed annually, usually around the anniversary of your loan, and your monthly payment may be adjusted based on actual tax changes and account balance.

You can verify your property tax payments by checking with the Chambers County Tax Office at (409) 267-8309 or online. If your lender fails to pay your taxes on time, you remain ultimately responsible, so it's important to monitor that payments are made properly. You have the right to request escrow account statements and can opt out of escrow once you reach 20% equity, though some lenders may require additional criteria be met.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Chambers County for the current tax year? A: Property taxes for the 2025 tax year are due by January 31, 2026. You can pay from October 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 without penalty. An extension to April 30, 2026 is available for a $5 fee.

Q: What homestead tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Yes, all exemptions require application. Available options include: general homestead exemption (20% off market value plus $40,000), over-65 exemptions (additional $200,000+ depending on district), disabled person exemptions, and school district exemptions up to $100,000. Applications are due by April 30th annually.

Q: How does the homestead exemption cap work? A: The homestead exemption limits your assessed value increases to 10% per year, regardless of market value changes. This is not a reduction in market value, but a cap on assessment growth. You must file a homestead exemption application to qualify, and it only applies to your primary residence.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Taxes become delinquent February 1st with immediate penalties and interest. Penalty is 6% in February, 7% in March, and 1% each additional month. Interest accrues at 1% per month. Delinquent taxes can result in foreclosure proceedings.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: File a protest with the Chambers County Appraisal Review Board by May 15th (or 30 days after receiving your notice, whichever is later). You can protest online, by mail, or in person. The review board holds hearings typically from June through August.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Chambers County offers online payment options through their official website. Credit card payments may include convenience fees. You can also pay by mail, in person, or set up automatic bank drafts.

Q: Why do my taxes vary from my neighbor's with a similar home value? A: Tax amounts depend on your specific combination of taxing districts (school district, MUD, ESD, etc.), which can vary by location within the county. Different exemptions applied and assessment dates also affect final tax amounts.

Q: What special district taxes might I pay in Chambers County? A: Depending on your location, you may pay taxes to Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), Emergency Services Districts (ESDs), Hospital Districts, Navigation Districts, or Community College Districts. Each serves specific functions and has separate tax rates that combine with county and school taxes.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Property Tax Rates | Chambers County, TXchamberscountytx.gov
02
County
County Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax Methods and Assitance Program 2025 Reportcomptroller.texas.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax System Guidechamberscountytx.gov
05
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
07
County
EXEMPTIONS - Chambers Countyco.chambers.tx.us
08
County
Tax Exemptions | Chambers County, TXchamberscountytx.gov
09
Residence Homestead Exemption Affidavits - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
10
TREASURER'S REPORTchamberscountytx.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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