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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Rockwall County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Rockwall 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
2.5-3.0% effective rate (varies by city, school district, and special districts)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Rockwall County operates under Texas property tax law, with property taxes serving as the primary funding source for local government services, school districts, and special districts. Property owners in Rockwall County pay taxes to multiple entities including the county, their local city, school district, and various special districts depending on their specific location. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 2.5% to 3.0% of assessed value, though this varies significantly based on the combination of taxing entities that serve each property.

Property tax rates in Rockwall County are not uniform across the entire county. Your actual tax rate depends on which city, school district, and special districts serve your property location. For example, properties in the City of Fate have different rates than unincorporated county areas. Texas law provides a 10% annual cap on assessed value increases for homestead properties and offers a $100,000 school district exemption for primary residences, but these benefits require proper application and approval.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Based on FY 2025-2026 tax rates:

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
Rockwall County$0.251000County government services, sheriff, courts, roads
City of Fate (example)$0.290869Municipal services (rates vary by city)
School District$1.066900 - $1.255200Public education funding (varies by district)
Total Combined Rate~$1.608769 - $1.797069Actual rate depends on location

Note: These rates are for FY 2025-2026 and represent one example combination. Your actual tax rate will differ based on your specific location within Rockwall County, as different cities, school districts, and special districts serve different areas. Additional special districts for services like water, emergency services, or municipal utility districts may apply depending on your property's location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Rockwall 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 Rockwall County are triggered when property ownership changes, new construction is completed, or significant improvements are made to existing property. When these events occur, the county appraisal district conducts a supplemental assessment to capture the change in value for the current tax year. The supplemental tax represents the difference between what was already assessed and what should have been assessed based on the property's new status or value.

For example, if you purchase a home in June that was previously assessed at $400,000 but now appraises at $500,000 due to improvements, a supplemental assessment would be issued for the $100,000 difference. The supplemental tax would be calculated by applying the full tax rate to this difference, then prorated for the remaining months in the tax year (7 months in this case). This ensures that all properties pay their fair share of taxes based on current ownership and value throughout the entire tax year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Less School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $200,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.6% effective rate): $5,200
  • Monthly Equivalent: $433

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Less School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $500,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.6% effective rate): $13,000
  • Monthly Equivalent: $1,083

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Less School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $900,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.6% effective rate): $23,400
  • Monthly Equivalent: $1,950

Note: Homestead exemption requires application and approval. Rates shown are approximate and vary by specific location within Rockwall County. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, disabled veterans, and other qualifying circumstances, but all require separate applications.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Rockwall County require property tax escrow accounts, collecting monthly payments along with your mortgage payment to ensure taxes are paid on time. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of your annual tax bill each month, plus a cushion amount allowed by federal law. Your lender receives tax bills directly from the county and pays them on your behalf by the February 1st deadline.

Property owners should verify that their lender has current contact information with the Rockwall County Tax Assessor-Collector's office and review their annual escrow analysis statement carefully. If your property taxes increase due to rising assessments or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. You can monitor your property's assessed value and tax obligations through the Rockwall County Appraisal District website to anticipate potential escrow payment changes throughout the year.

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 Rockwall County? A: Property taxes for FY 2025-2026 are due by February 1st. Even if you don't receive a bill, you're still responsible for paying on time.

Q: What tax exemptions are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary exemption is the $100,000 school district homestead exemption for your primary residence. This requires application and approval - it's not automatic. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors (65+), disabled persons, and disabled veterans, but all require separate applications with supporting documentation.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work? A: The homestead exemption provides two benefits: it removes $100,000 from your school district taxable value, and it caps annual assessment increases at 10%. You must apply for homestead exemption with the Rockwall County Appraisal District and it only applies to your primary residence.

Q: When are property values assessed and can I appeal? A: Properties are assessed annually as of January 1st. You'll receive a notice of appraised value in the spring and have the right to protest the valuation through the appraisal district's formal protest process, typically with deadlines in May or June.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges that accrue monthly. Texas law allows for significant penalties, so it's important to pay by the February 1st deadline even if you haven't received your bill.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Rockwall County offers online payment options through their official website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments typically include processing fees.

Q: Why do properties in different parts of Rockwall County have different tax rates? A: Tax rates vary because different combinations of cities, school districts, and special districts serve different areas. Each entity sets its own rate, so your total rate depends on your specific location within the county.

Q: What's the deadline to apply for exemptions? A: Most exemption applications must be filed by April 30th for the current tax year, though some circumstances allow for late applications. Contact the Rockwall County Appraisal District for specific deadlines and requirements for your situation.

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 Ratesfatetx.gov
02
County
County Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
03
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council From: Michael Kovacs, ...fatetx.gov
04
Tax Doc
Paying Your Taxes - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
05
Tax Doc
April 15 is Deadline for Filing Property Tax Renditionscomptroller.texas.gov
06
Appraisal Protests and Appeals - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
07
Residence Homestead Exemption Affidavits - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
08
City Council Memorandumfatetx.gov
09
Residence Homestead Exemptions - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
10
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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