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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Gonzales County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Gonzales County, TX. 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
2.0% to 2.8% effective rate (varies by district combination within county)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Gonzales County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system, where property taxes serve as the primary funding source for essential county services, school districts, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property owners in Gonzales County pay taxes to multiple entities including the county government, school districts, cities, and various special purpose districts. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 2.0% to 2.8% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county.

The actual tax rate you pay varies significantly based on your property's location within Gonzales County, as different combinations of school districts, municipal utility districts, emergency services districts, and other special taxing units apply different rates. For example, properties within incorporated cities pay additional municipal taxes, while rural properties may be subject to different special district assessments. Texas law requires annual property reappraisals, but homestead properties benefit from a 10% annual assessment increase cap that helps provide predictability for homeowners.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
Gonzales County$0.2689County operations, roads, law enforcement, courts
School District$1.0000 - $1.3500Varies by district (Gonzales ISD, Nixon-Smiley CISD, etc.)
City (if applicable)$0.3000 - $0.5000Municipal services (varies by city)
Emergency Services District$0.0500 - $0.1000Fire and EMS services
Other Special Districts$0.0200 - $0.0800Water, hospital, community college districts
Total Effective Rate$1.60 - $2.80Combined rate varies by location

Rates shown are for Tax Year 2025 (FY 2025-2026). Your actual combined rate depends on which taxing jurisdictions serve your property. The county rate of $0.2689 increased from the previous year's rate of $0.2032. Contact the Gonzales County Appraisal District for your specific property's complete taxing entity breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Gonzales 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 Gonzales County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase value, ownership transfers that remove previous exemptions, or changes in property use (such as converting agricultural land to residential). These taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in July and your combined tax rate is 2.2%, you would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $1,100 (($100,000 × 0.022) × 6/12 months remaining in the tax year). The Gonzales County Appraisal District typically issues supplemental assessments within 30-60 days of discovering the change, and these taxes are due within 30 days of the bill date, separate from your regular annual property tax payment schedule.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Exemption Applied: $100,000 (school district portion)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000 (county/city); $200,000 (school)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~2.1%
  • Annual Tax: $5,700
  • Monthly Escrow: $475

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)
  • Net Taxable Value: $590,000 (county/city); $500,000 (school)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~2.3%
  • Annual Tax: $13,270
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,106

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home with Available Exemptions

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Homestead Exemption: $100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000 (county/city); $900,000 (school)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~2.4%
  • Annual Tax: $23,400
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,950

Note: All exemptions require separate applications to be filed with the Gonzales County Appraisal District by the applicable deadlines. These calculations are estimates based on average rates.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Gonzales County require property tax escrow accounts for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects approximately 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill each month along with your mortgage payment, then pays the taxes directly to the county tax office when due. Gonzales County follows a split payment schedule with the first installment due by October 15th and the second installment due by May 15th, though property owners can choose to pay the full amount by January 31st without penalty.

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses and may adjust your monthly payment up or down based on actual tax bills received and changes in assessed value. If your escrow account has a surplus over $50, the lender must refund the excess or offer to reduce future monthly payments. Conversely, if there's a shortage due to increased property values or tax rates, you may receive a bill for the deficiency or see your monthly payment increase to cover the shortfall over the following 12 months.

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 Gonzales County for the current tax year? A: For Tax Year 2025, the first installment is due October 15, 2025, and the second installment is due May 15, 2026. You can also pay the full amount by January 31, 2026, without splitting the payment.

Q: What homestead exemptions are available and how do I apply? A: The primary homestead exemption removes $100,000 from your home's taxable value for school district taxes only. You must file Form 50-114 with the Gonzales County Appraisal District by April 30th of the year after you establish residency. This exemption also caps annual assessment increases at 10%.

Q: Are there additional tax credits for seniors or disabled veterans? A: Yes, but these require separate applications. Seniors (65+) can receive additional county exemptions, and disabled veterans may qualify for significant exemptions based on disability rating. Contact the appraisal district at (830) 672-2327 for specific forms and deadlines.

Q: How often is my property reassessed and can I appeal? A: Properties are reassessed annually as of January 1st. You'll receive a notice of appraised value by April 30th. If you disagree, you can file an appeal with the Gonzales County Appraisal Review Board by May 31st or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Penalties begin at 6% for the first month late, increasing to 12% after six months, plus 1% interest per month. Attorney fees may also apply for delinquent accounts.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Gonzales County offers online payment options through their official website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though convenience fees may apply for credit card payments.

Q: Why do my taxes vary from my neighbor's even with similar home values? A: Tax amounts depend on your property's specific location within different taxing districts (school district, city limits, special utility districts, etc.). Even neighboring properties may fall under different combinations of taxing entities.

Q: I just bought my home - do I need to reapply for homestead exemption? A: Yes, homestead exemptions don't transfer between owners. You must file a new application by April 30th following your purchase to receive the exemption for that tax year. The 10% assessment cap begins with your first year of homestead qualification.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
GONZALES COUNTY Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Adopted Budgetco.gonzales.tx.us
02
Tax Doc
Property Tax Ratesgonzales.texas.gov
03
County
Notice of Adopted 2025 Tax Rate - Gonzales County, Texasco.gonzales.tx.us
04
County
2024 Truth in Taxation Summary - Gonzales County, Texasco.gonzales.tx.us
05
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
06
County
Tax Assessor/Collector - Gonzales County, Texasco.gonzales.tx.us
07
Residence Homestead Exemption Applicationco.gonzales.tx.us
08
constitutiongovinfo.gov
09
County
Proposed Budget FY 2025-2026.pdf - Gonzales County, Texasco.gonzales.tx.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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