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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Fort Bend County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Fort Bend 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
Varies by location (County base: 30 cents per $100 + school district + municipal taxes)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Fort Bend County property taxes are a primary funding source for essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The property tax system operates on an annual cycle, with taxes billed in October and due by January 31st of the following year. Property owners receive tax bills based on assessed values determined by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District, with various exemptions available to reduce the taxable amount.

The effective tax rate in Fort Bend County varies depending on your specific location and the taxing entities that serve your property. While the county's base rate is 30 cents per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025, most property owners also pay taxes to school districts, cities, municipal utility districts, and other special districts. The combined effective rate typically ranges from 2.5% to 3.5% of assessed value, depending on your specific tax jurisdiction. Texas law provides important protections for homeowners, including a 10% annual cap on appraisal increases for homestead properties and substantial homestead exemptions that can significantly reduce your tax burden.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100Description
Fort Bend County General Fund$0.302000County operations, law enforcement, courts, roads
Fort Bend County Drainage$0.008000Flood control and drainage infrastructure
School District$1.00-$1.40*Local school district operations and debt service
City/Municipality$0.40-$0.80*Municipal services, police, fire, parks
Municipal Utility District$0.20-$0.60*Water, sewer, street maintenance (if applicable)
Emergency Services District$0.05-$0.15*Fire and EMS services (if applicable)
Hospital District$0.10-$0.20*Public healthcare services (if applicable)
Total Effective Rate$2.50-$3.50*Combined rate varies by location

*Rates vary by specific taxing entity and location within Fort Bend County **Example rates - actual rates depend on your specific property location and applicable taxing jurisdictions

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Fort Bend 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

Supplemental tax assessments in Fort Bend County occur when there are significant changes to a property during the tax year that affect its assessed value. The most common triggers include new construction, major improvements, ownership changes that remove agricultural or other special use valuations, and corrections to property characteristics discovered by the appraisal district. When supplemental taxes are levied, they are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year the change was in effect.

For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in July and your total tax rate is 3.0%, the supplemental assessment would be calculated as follows: $100,000 (additional value) × 3.0% (tax rate) × 6/12 months (July-December) = $1,500 in supplemental taxes. These supplemental bills are typically issued within 30-60 days after the appraisal district discovers or processes the change, and they become due 30 days from the date of issuance, regardless of the normal January 31st deadline for regular property taxes.

Example Calculation

$300,000 Home Value:

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (school district)
  • Less Additional Exemptions: -$25,000 (county/other)
  • Net Taxable Value: $175,000
  • Annual Tax (at 3.0% effective rate): $5,250
  • Monthly Escrow: $437.50

$600,000 Home Value:

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (school district)
  • Less Additional Exemptions: -$25,000 (county/other)
  • Net Taxable Value: $475,000
  • Annual Tax (at 3.0% effective rate): $14,250
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,187.50

$1,000,000 Home Value:

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (school district)
  • Less Additional Exemptions: -$25,000 (county/other)
  • Net Taxable Value: $875,000
  • Annual Tax (at 3.0% effective rate): $26,250
  • Monthly Escrow: $2,187.50

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Fort Bend County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% equity in their homes. Your lender collects 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill each month along with your mortgage payment, then pays your taxes directly to the Fort Bend County Tax Office when they become due in January. Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses and may adjust your monthly payment if taxes increase or decrease significantly due to rate changes or successful appeals.

It's important to verify that your lender pays your taxes on time, as you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring payment by the January 31st deadline. You can check payment status online through the Fort Bend County Tax Office website or by calling 281-341-3710. If you pay your own taxes (no escrow), remember that the Tax Office deposits all checks immediately regardless of the date written on the check, so don't post-date your payment. Property owners should also notify their lender promptly of any homestead exemptions or successful appeals, as these changes may not be automatically reflected in escrow calculations.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Fort Bend County property taxes due? A: Property taxes are due January 31st annually. Bills are typically mailed in October, and taxes become delinquent on February 1st if not paid.

Q: What homestead exemptions are available? A: Primary residence owners can receive a $100,000 school district exemption, plus additional county and municipal exemptions typically totaling $15,000-$30,000. Senior citizens and disabled veterans may qualify for additional exemptions.

Q: How do I apply for homestead exemption? A: Apply with the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District at 281-344-8623 or www.fbcad.org. You must apply by April 30th for exemptions to take effect that tax year.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, you can pay online through the Fort Bend County Tax Office website. Contact them at 281-341-3710 or FBCTaxInfo@fortbendcountytx.gov for payment options.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Penalties and interest begin accruing February 1st. Payment plans are only available for delinquent accounts through the county's tax attorneys after July 1st.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Contact the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District at 281-344-8623. You typically have until May 15th (or 30 days after receiving your notice) to file an appeal.

Q: Does the 10% appraisal cap apply to my property? A: The 10% annual appraisal increase cap applies only to homestead properties (your primary residence). Investment properties and commercial properties are not subject to this cap.

Q: What if I don't receive my tax bill? A: You're still responsible for paying by January 31st even if you don't receive a bill. Contact the Tax Office in writing at 281-341-3710 to request a tax statement.

Q: How are property values determined? A: The Fort Bend Central Appraisal District assesses property values based on market sales, cost, and income approaches. They appraise properties annually as of January 1st.

Q: Can I get a payment plan for current year taxes? A: No, payment plans are only available for delinquent taxes through the county's tax attorneys. Current year taxes must be paid in full by January 31st.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
Tax Informationrosenbergtx.gov
02
Tax Doc
2025 TAX RATES AND EXEMPTIONSfortbendcountytx.gov
03
Tax Doc
Tax Rate Info & Noticesfortbendcountytx.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Taxesfortbendcountytx.gov
05
Tax Doc
When will I receive my tax billfortbendcountytx.gov
06
County
Fort Bend County Taxesnacdashboard.nara.gov
07
Residence Homestead Exemption Affidavits - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
08
Tax Doc
Fort Bend Texas Appraisal District Tax Exemptiontaxcutter.us
09
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax Databasefortbendcountytx.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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