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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Henderson County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Henderson 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
2.4% to 2.8% effective rate (varies by taxing jurisdiction combination within county)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Henderson County operates under the Texas property tax system, where property taxes serve as the primary funding source for local government services, including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property owners in Henderson County face an effective tax rate that typically ranges from 2.4% to 2.8% of assessed value, depending on their specific location within the county and the combination of taxing jurisdictions that apply to their property.

The actual tax rate you pay varies significantly based on your property's location within Henderson County, as different areas are served by different combinations of school districts, municipal governments, emergency service districts, and other special taxing units. For example, properties within city limits pay municipal taxes in addition to county and school district taxes, while rural properties may be subject to emergency services district fees. The Texas Property Tax Code governs all assessment and collection procedures, with Henderson County following state-mandated timelines and processes for property valuation, tax credit applications, and payment collection.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Henderson County0.60%County general operations, road maintenance, law enforcement, and administrative services
School Districts1.0-1.3%Varies by district (Athens ISD, Brownsboro ISD, Malakoff ISD, etc.) - funds local schools
Cities/Towns0.2-0.6%Municipal services (applies only to properties within city limits)
Emergency Services Districts0.05-0.10%Fire protection and emergency medical services for unincorporated areas
Hospital Districts0.15-0.25%Local hospital and healthcare services (where applicable)
Total Effective Rate2.4-2.8%Combined rate varies by location and applicable districts

Rates shown are for FY 2025-2026 and represent typical ranges. Your exact rate depends on the specific combination of taxing jurisdictions serving your property location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Henderson 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 Henderson County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are mid-year changes to property ownership or improvements. The most common triggers include the transfer of property ownership (such as through sale or inheritance) and the completion of new construction or major renovations that increase the property's assessed value. When these events occur, the Henderson County Appraisal District conducts a supplemental assessment to capture the change in taxable value.

The calculation is based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, multiplied by your applicable tax rate, and prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you purchase a home in Henderson County in July that was previously assessed at $200,000 but now appraises at $350,000, you would owe supplemental taxes on the $150,000 difference for the remaining 9 months of the tax year. At an effective rate of 2.5%, this would result in a supplemental tax bill of approximately $2,812.50 ($150,000 × 0.025 × 9/12 months).

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • 20% General Homestead Exemption: -$40,000 (on remaining $200,000)
  • Net Taxable Value: $160,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.5% effective rate): $4,000
  • Monthly Payment: $333

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

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • 20% General Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (on remaining $500,000)
  • Over-65 Additional Exemption: -$6,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $394,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.6% effective rate): $10,244
  • Monthly Payment: $854

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

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • No exemptions or credits applied
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.7% effective rate): $27,000
  • Monthly Payment: $2,250

Note: All tax credits and exemptions require separate applications filed with Henderson County Appraisal District and are not automatically applied.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Henderson County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments as part of your mortgage payment, then pays your property taxes directly to Henderson County when they become due on October 1st each year. The monthly escrow amount is calculated by dividing your annual tax bill by 12, often with an additional cushion to account for potential tax increases.

Lenders are required to provide annual escrow statements showing the account activity and any adjustments needed for the following year. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender will adjust your monthly escrow payment accordingly. Property owners should verify that their lender has paid taxes on time by checking with the Henderson County Tax Office, as you remain ultimately responsible for tax payments even when using escrow. You can request escrow account elimination once you have 20% equity in your home and a good payment history, allowing you to pay taxes directly to the county.

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 Henderson County for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due October 1, 2025, and become delinquent on February 1, 2026. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: What homestead tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Henderson County offers a 20% general homestead exemption ($40,000 minimum) and a $100,000 school district exemption for primary residences. Homeowners over 65 receive an additional $6,000 exemption. All require application with the Henderson County Appraisal District by April 30th following the year you become eligible.

Q: How does the homestead exemption cap work? A: Texas homestead properties are subject to a 10% annual cap on assessed value increases for tax purposes, regardless of market value changes. This is automatic for qualified homesteads but requires initial homestead exemption filing.

Q: When does Henderson County reassess property values? A: Henderson County Appraisal District reassesses all properties annually as of January 1st, with notices typically mailed in April. Property owners have until May 31st to file protests with the Appraisal Review Board.

Q: What are the penalties for late tax payments? A: Penalties start at 6% for February, increase by 1% per month through July (12% maximum), plus 1% monthly interest on the total amount due.

Q: Can I pay Henderson County property taxes online? A: Yes, Henderson County offers online payment options through their official website, accepting electronic checks and credit cards (processing fees apply for credit card payments).

Q: How do special taxing districts affect my tax bill? A: Your property may be subject to additional taxes from emergency services districts, municipal utility districts, or other special purpose districts depending on location. These appear as separate line items on your tax statement.

Q: What documentation do I need to apply for a disabled veteran exemption? A: Disabled veterans need a disability rating letter from the VA, DD-214 discharge papers, and proof of residence. The exemption amount varies based on disability percentage, with 100% disabled veterans receiving full exemption from 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
County Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
02
Special District Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
03
Tax Doc
TEXAS SALES AND USE TAX RATES – January 2026comptroller.texas.gov
04
Tax Doc
Tax Information | Henderson, TX - Official Websitehendersontx.us
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
07
Residence Homestead Exemption Affidavits - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
08
Tax Doc
Property Taxeshendersontx.us
09
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
10
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT - Year Ended September ...gunbarrelcity.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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