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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Gillespie County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Gillespie 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
1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value (varies by location and special districts)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Gillespie County, Texas fund essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The county operates under the Texas Property Tax Code, with properties assessed annually based on market value as of January 1st. Property owners receive tax bills that reflect the combined rates from multiple taxing entities including Gillespie County, school districts, cities, and various special districts.

Effective tax rates in Gillespie County typically range from 1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county. The actual rate you pay varies significantly based on which special taxing districts serve your property, such as municipal utility districts, emergency services districts, or hospital districts. For the 2025 tax year, the base county rate is $0.2685 per $100 of assessed value, but this represents only one component of your total property tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)DescriptionNotes
Gillespie County$0.2685County operations, roads, law enforcementFY 2025 rate
School Districts$0.90-$1.20Local school district operations and debtVaries by district
Cities$0.15-$0.65Municipal services where applicableOnly within city limits
Emergency Services$0.05-$0.15Fire and EMS districtsLocation dependent
Hospital District$0.08-$0.12Healthcare servicesSelect areas only
Total Estimated Range$1.18-$2.15Combined rate varies by locationSubject to annual changes

Note: Rates shown are for FY 2025-2026 levy year. Your actual rate depends on which special districts serve your specific property location. Contact the Gillespie Central Appraisal District at (830) 997-7373 for your exact rate combination.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Gillespie 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 taxes in Gillespie County are additional tax bills issued when property ownership changes or new construction is completed after the January 1st assessment date. When you purchase property or complete new construction, the appraisal district reassesses the property at its current market value, which may differ from the previous assessment.

The supplemental tax is calculated as the difference between the new assessment and the original assessment, multiplied by the current tax rate, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you purchase a home in July that was previously assessed at $400,000 but now appraises at $500,000, you would owe supplemental taxes on the $100,000 difference for the remaining 6 months of the tax year. At a combined rate of 2.0%, this would result in a supplemental bill of approximately $1,000 ($100,000 × 0.02 × 6/12 months).

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Exemption Applied: $100,000 (school district portion)
  • Taxable Value: $200,000 (school) + $300,000 (other entities)
  • Combined Tax Rate: 1.85%
  • Annual Tax: $3,150
  • Monthly Escrow: $263

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead and Senior Exemption

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Exemption: $100,000 (school district)
  • Senior Exemption: $10,000 (county, requires application)
  • Taxable Value: $500,000 (school) + $590,000 (other entities)
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.05%
  • Annual Tax: $11,345
  • Monthly Escrow: $945

Example 3: $1,000,000 Investment Property (No Exemptions)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • No exemptions available (not primary residence)
  • Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.15%
  • Annual Tax: $21,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,792

Note: All exemptions require annual application and approval. Calculations are estimates based on average rates.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Gillespie County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely tax payments. Your lender collects monthly escrow 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 a separate account and used to pay your property taxes when they become due.

Property taxes in Gillespie County are due by September 1st annually, with a second installment option due by December 1st if you choose to split payments. Your lender typically pays the full amount by the September deadline to avoid any penalty or interest charges. Lenders are required to provide annual escrow statements showing all deposits, payments, and account balances, usually sent within 30 days of your escrow account anniversary date.

If your property taxes increase due to rising assessments or rate changes, your lender will adjust your monthly escrow payment accordingly. You'll receive advance notice of any payment changes, typically 60 days before the new amount takes effect. It's important to verify that your lender has current exemption information on file to ensure accurate tax 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 property taxes due in Gillespie County for the 2025-2026 fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due by September 1, 2025, for the full amount. Alternatively, you can pay half by September 1st and the remaining half by December 1, 2025.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary credit is the homestead exemption ($100,000 school district exemption), which requires annual application. Senior and disability exemptions are also available but must be applied for separately. None are automatic - all require filing with the appraisal district.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work? A: The homestead exemption provides a $100,000 reduction in assessed value for school district taxes only, and caps annual assessment increases at 10% for your primary residence. You must file for this exemption - it's not automatic when you purchase a home.

Q: Can I appeal my property assessment? A: Yes, you can protest your assessment with the Gillespie Appraisal Review Board. Protests must be filed by May 31st (or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later). Contact the Gillespie Central Appraisal District for protest forms.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Interest accrues at 1% per month on unpaid taxes after the September 1st deadline. Additional penalties may apply for severely delinquent accounts, and properties can eventually be subject to tax foreclosure.

Q: How can I pay my property taxes online? A: Online payments can be made through the Gillespie Central Appraisal District website or by visiting their office at 1159 S Milam Street. Most major credit cards and electronic checks are accepted.

Q: Why do properties in the same neighborhood have different tax rates? A: Tax rates vary based on special taxing districts that serve each property, such as emergency services districts, municipal utility districts, or different school district boundaries. These district boundaries don't always align with neighborhood lines.

Q: When do I need to file for exemptions? A: Exemption applications are generally due by April 30th annually. New homeowners have until one year after the purchase date or April 30th of the following year, whichever is later, to file for homestead exemptions.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
State
the state of texaskendallcountytx.gov
02
Tax Doc
Financial and Tax Rate Informationgillespiecounty.gov
03
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025sanpatriciocountytx.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property tax payments can be paid at Gillespie Central ...gillespiecounty.gov
05
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
06
County
Gillespie County, TX | Official Websitegillespiecounty.gov
07
County
2023 Guide to Texas Laws for County Officialsgillespiecounty.gov
08
Application for Residence Homestead Exemptioncomptroller.texas.gov
09
County
Gillespie County Appraisal Districtgillespiecounty.gov
10
ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORTtctransparency.traviscountytx.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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