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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Stephens County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Stephens 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 location and taxing districts within county)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Stephens County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including county operations, schools, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property owners in Stephens County pay taxes to multiple jurisdictions including the county, school districts, cities, and various special districts. The combined effective tax rate typically ranges from 2.0% to 2.8% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county and which taxing districts serve your property.

Property taxes in Stephens County are assessed annually based on the January 1st property valuation. The county portion of the tax rate is relatively modest at 0.007%, with school districts comprising the largest component of most property tax bills. Actual tax rates vary significantly by location within the county due to different combinations of municipal governments, school districts, hospital districts, and other special taxing entities that serve specific areas.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Stephens County0.007%Basic county services, roads, law enforcement
School Districts~1.2-1.4%Local school district operations and debt service
Municipal0.3-0.8%City services (varies by municipality)
Hospital District0.1-0.3%Local healthcare services (if applicable)
Other Special Districts0.1-0.5%Fire, EMS, water, other local services
Total Range2.0-2.8%Combined rate varies by location

Rates shown are approximate for FY 2025-2026 and vary significantly based on your property's location within Stephens County. School district rates comprise the largest portion of most tax bills. Contact the Stephens County Appraisal District for exact rates applicable to your specific property address.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Stephens 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 Stephens County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes in property ownership, completion of new construction, or significant improvements made to existing properties during the tax year. 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 purchase a home in June that was previously assessed at $200,000 but now has a market value of $300,000, you would owe supplemental taxes on the $100,000 difference for the remaining 7 months of the tax year. The calculation would be: ($100,000 × combined tax rate × 7/12 months). New construction is assessed from the date the improvement is substantially completed and habitable.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with General Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Exemption Applied: -$140,000
  • Taxable Value: $160,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.4% combined rate): $3,840
  • Monthly Escrow: $320

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School District Exemption Applied: -$140,000
  • Taxable Value: $460,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.4% combined rate): $11,040
  • Monthly Escrow: $920

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

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • School District Exemption Applied: -$140,000
  • Taxable Value: $860,000
  • Annual Tax (at 2.4% combined rate): $20,640
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,720

Note: The $140,000 homestead exemption requires application and applies only to school district taxes. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, veterans, or disabled persons but require separate applications.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Stephens County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment, deposits these funds in an escrow account, and pays your property taxes directly to the county when due. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of your annual tax bill each month, plus an additional 2-month cushion as required by federal law.

Your escrow account is analyzed annually, usually around your loan anniversary date. If property values increase or tax rates change, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. You'll receive an escrow analysis statement showing the calculation and any shortage or surplus. Texas law requires lenders to pay property taxes by January 31st to avoid penalties. You can verify payments were made by checking with the Stephens County Tax Assessor-Collector's office or through their online payment portal.

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 Stephens County? A: Property taxes for FY 2025-2026 are due by January 31, 2026. This is a single annual payment with no installment options for most taxpayers.

Q: What homestead exemption am I eligible for and how do I apply? A: Texas residents may qualify for a $140,000 school district homestead exemption on their primary residence. You must apply with the Stephens County Appraisal District by April 30th following the year you establish residency. This exemption reduces your taxable value, not your tax rate.

Q: How does the homestead cap work? A: The homestead cap limits annual assessment increases to 10% for homestead properties, regardless of market value changes. This requires filing a homestead exemption application and only applies to the residence portion of your property.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Penalties and interest begin accruing February 1st at 6% annually, plus additional penalty fees. Delinquent taxes can result in foreclosure proceedings initiated by taxing entities.

Q: How can I pay my property taxes online? A: Visit the Stephens County Tax Assessor-Collector website for online payment options. Most major credit cards and electronic bank transfers are accepted, though convenience fees may apply.

Q: Are there additional exemptions for seniors or veterans? A: Yes, additional exemptions are available for residents over 65, disabled veterans, and disabled persons. These require separate applications with supporting documentation filed by April 30th annually.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: File a protest with the Stephens County Appraisal Review Board by May 15th (or within 30 days of receiving your notice). Include comparable sales data and evidence supporting your position on market value.

Q: Do special districts affect my tax rate? A: Yes, your total tax rate depends on which city, school district, hospital district, emergency services district, and other special districts serve your property location. Rates can vary significantly within the county based on these district boundaries.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 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
Tax Doc
TEXAS SALES AND USE TAX RATES – January 2026comptroller.texas.gov
03
Tax Doc
Sales Tax News Release January 2026 - Oklahoma.govoklahoma.gov
04
County
STEPHENS COUNTY, TEXAS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ...co.stephens.tx.us
05
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
06
County
August - Stephens County Texasco.stephens.tx.us
07
County
Notice of Order of Bond Election - Stephens County Texasco.stephens.tx.us
08
County
Stephens County Appraisal Districtcomptroller.texas.gov
09
State
Midcontinent Supply Header Interstate Pipeline Projectferc.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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