HonestCasa logoHonestCasa
All Tax Guides
Updated 2025 Tax Year

Lavaca County
Property Tax Guide

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

9 Official Sources
8 min read
Calculate Your True CostMortgage Calculator
Quick Facts
Tax Rate
$0.5124 per $100 assessed value (county base rate), total effective rate varies by district and location
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Lavaca County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system, which serves as the primary funding mechanism for local government services, schools, infrastructure, and emergency services. Property taxes in Lavaca County fund essential services including the county government operations, road and bridge maintenance, local school districts, and various special districts such as municipal utility districts, hospital districts, and emergency services districts.

The effective property tax rate in Lavaca County varies by location within the county due to the overlapping jurisdictions of different taxing entities. While the county's base rate for FY 2025 is $0.5124 per $100 of assessed value, residents also pay taxes to school districts, cities (if applicable), and special districts, resulting in total effective rates typically ranging from 2.0% to 2.8% of assessed property value. The actual rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your specific property location, making it essential to understand all applicable taxing entities for your address.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
Lavaca County$0.5124County general operations, road & bridge maintenance, law enforcement
School DistrictsVaries by districtLocal school district operations and debt service (rates vary by specific district)
CitiesVaries by cityMunicipal services if property is within city limits
Hospital DistrictsVariesEmergency medical services and hospital operations
Water/MUD DistrictsVariesMunicipal utility districts for water, sewer, drainage
Emergency ServicesVariesFire protection, EMS districts

Levy Year: These rates apply to the FY 2025 tax year (collected in 2025 for 2024 assessments). The county's voter-approval rate is $0.5497 per $100, representing the maximum rate without voter approval. Total effective rates vary significantly by property location within the county due to different combinations of special districts. Property owners should verify their specific taxing entities through the Lavaca County Appraisal District.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Lavaca 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 Lavaca County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to a property's assessed value during the tax year. The most common triggers include change of ownership, completion of new construction or major improvements, and corrections to property characteristics or exemption status discovered after the initial assessment.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, it represents the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a property's assessed value increases from $200,000 to $300,000 due to completed renovations in July, the supplemental tax would be calculated on the $100,000 increase for the remaining six months of the tax year (July through December), rather than the full year.

The supplemental tax calculation uses the same tax rates that apply to regular property taxes for all applicable taxing entities. These supplemental bills are typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from regular property tax payments. Property owners receive a separate supplemental tax bill that must be paid in addition to their regular annual property tax bill.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property Value

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption (if applicable): $100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value (School): $200,000
  • Net Taxable Value (Other entities): $300,000
  • Estimated Total Tax Rate: ~2.2%
  • Annual Tax: ~$6,100
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$508

Example 2: $600,000 Property Value

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption (if applicable): $100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value (School): $500,000
  • Net Taxable Value (Other entities): $600,000
  • Estimated Total Tax Rate: ~2.2%
  • Annual Tax: ~$12,700
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,058

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property Value

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption (if applicable): $100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value (School): $900,000
  • Net Taxable Value (Other entities): $1,000,000
  • Estimated Total Tax Rate: ~2.2%
  • Annual Tax: ~$21,300
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,775

Note: Homestead exemptions require annual application and only apply to primary residences. Tax rates vary by specific location within the county due to different special district combinations.

See How Taxes Affect Your Payment

Property taxes are just part of your total monthly cost. Get the full picture.

Calculate Now
Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Lavaca County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers, particularly those with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment, holding these funds in an escrow account to pay your annual property tax bill when due. The monthly escrow amount is calculated by taking your previous year's total property tax bill and dividing by 12, often with a small cushion to account for potential increases.

Property tax payments in Lavaca County are due in two installments: the first payment by October 15th and the final payment by December 1st. Lenders typically pay the first installment in October and may choose to pay the second installment early to ensure timely payment. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender will adjust your monthly escrow payment accordingly, typically after conducting an annual escrow analysis.

Property owners should verify that their lender pays all applicable taxing entities correctly, as missing payments to special districts can result in penalties and potential tax liens. You can monitor your tax payments through the Lavaca County Tax Assessor-Collector's office and request escrow account statements from your lender to ensure proper handling of your property tax obligations.

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 Lavaca County for FY 2025? A: Property taxes are due in two payments: first payment by October 15, 2025, and final payment by December 1, 2025. The tax lien date is July 1st each year.

Q: What homestead exemptions are available and do they apply automatically? A: The primary homestead exemption is $100,000 off assessed value for school district taxes only. This exemption is NOT automatic and requires annual application to the Lavaca County Appraisal District by April 30th. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, veterans, and disabled persons, all requiring separate applications.

Q: How does the homestead exemption cap work? A: Texas homestead properties are subject to a 10% annual cap on assessment increases for tax purposes. This means your property's taxable value cannot increase more than 10% per year, even if market value increases more. This cap requires filing a homestead exemption application and only applies to your primary residence.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest. Payments received after the due date are subject to penalty fees of 6% in February, 7% in March, 8% in April, 9% in May, 10% in June, and 12% in July and thereafter, plus annual interest charges.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Lavaca County typically offers online payment options through the Tax Assessor-Collector's website. Check the official Lavaca County website for current online payment portals and accepted payment methods.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Lavaca County? A: The Lavaca County Appraisal District reassesses all properties annually as of January 1st. Property owners receive assessment notices in the spring and have until May 31st to file appeals with the Appraisal Review Board.

Q: Are there property tax exemptions for seniors or veterans? A: Yes, Texas offers additional exemptions for seniors (65+), disabled veterans, and disabled persons. These require separate applications with documentation and have specific eligibility requirements. Applications must be filed with the Lavaca County Appraisal District by April 30th.

Q: How do special district taxes work in Lavaca County? A: Special districts provide specific services like hospital care, emergency services, or municipal utilities. The districts you pay depend on your property's location. Each district sets its own tax rate, and you'll see separate line items for each district on your tax bill. Contact the Lavaca County Appraisal District to determine which special districts apply to your property.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Lavaca County, Texas Adopted Budget Fiscal Year 2025co.lavaca.tx.us
02
County
Notice About 2025 Tax Rates - Lavaca Countyco.lavaca.tx.us
03
Tax Doc
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX INCREASEtraviscountytx.gov
04
County
LAVACA COUNTY, TEXASco.lavaca.tx.us
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Law Deadlines - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
06
County
Home | Lavaca County, Texasco.lavaca.tx.us
07
County
LAVACA COUNTY, TEXASco.lavaca.tx.us
08
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
09
ds4a.txtsec.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

See the Full Picture of Your Home Costs

Property taxes are just one piece of homeownership. HonestCasa helps you understand your total monthly cost and explore safe ways to access your home equity.

Total Monthly Cost

Mortgage + taxes + insurance + HOA

Equity Growth

Track how your equity grows over time

Safe Equity Access

Options for projects or debt payoff

Run Your ScenarioTry Calculator

Free • No credit check • 2-minute estimate