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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Tarrant County
Property Tax Guide

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

8 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

The Tarrant County property tax system serves as the primary funding mechanism for local government services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and special districts. Property owners in Tarrant County pay taxes based on the appraised value of their property as determined by the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD), which assesses over 800,000 properties annually. The county encompasses major cities including Fort Worth, Arlington, and numerous suburban communities, each with their own municipal tax rates that combine with county, school district, and special district levies.

Effective property tax rates in Tarrant County typically range from 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on the specific taxing jurisdictions where the property is located. Texas state law provides important protections for homeowners, including a $100,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes and a 10% annual cap on appraisal increases for primary residences. The tax year runs from January 1 to December 31, with taxes becoming due on January 31 of the following year, though payment options include splitting payments over multiple installments.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentApproximate RateDescription
County General Fund0.1862%Core county services, law enforcement, courts, infrastructure
School District1.0000-1.3000%Local independent school district operations and debt service
Municipal0.3000-0.7000%City services, police, fire, parks, municipal debt
Community College0.1000-0.1500%Tarrant County College District operations
Hospital District0.0600-0.1000%JPS Health Network and public health services
MUD/Water Districts0.2000-0.8000%Municipal utility districts for water, sewer, drainage
Emergency Services0.0500-0.1500%Fire protection, emergency medical services districts
Total Combined Rate1.8000-2.5000%Varies by location within Tarrant County

Note: Rates shown are per $100 of assessed value and vary by specific taxing jurisdictions. School district rates comprise the largest portion of most tax bills.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Tarrant 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 property taxes in Tarrant County are triggered primarily by new construction, major improvements, or change in property ownership that reveals underassessed value. When the Tarrant Appraisal District identifies that a property's assessed value should be higher than the current roll value, they issue a supplemental assessment to capture the difference for the current tax year. This commonly occurs when building permits are finalized, pools or additions are completed, or when new ownership results in a fresh market value assessment.

The supplemental tax is calculated by taking the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, then applying the combined tax rate for that property's location. For example, if a home was assessed at $400,000 but improvements increased its value to $500,000 mid-year, the supplemental tax would apply to the $100,000 difference. With a combined rate of 2.2%, this would result in a supplemental bill of $2,200, typically prorated from the date the improvement was completed or the ownership change occurred.

Example Calculation

Property Value: $300,000

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000 (county/city), $200,000 (school)
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.1% (assuming mid-range rates)
  • Annual Tax: $5,100
  • Monthly Escrow: $425

Property Value: $600,000

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000 (county/city), $500,000 (school)
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.2%
  • Annual Tax: $12,200
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,017

Property Value: $1,000,000

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$100,000 (school district only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000 (county/city), $900,000 (school)
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.3%
  • Annual Tax: $21,800
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,817

Note: Examples assume primary residence with homestead exemption. Actual rates vary by specific location within Tarrant County.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Tarrant County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly for loans with less than 20% down payment. The lender collects monthly escrow payments equal to 1/12th of the annual property tax bill, plus insurance premiums, and pays these obligations on behalf of the homeowner when due. Lenders typically maintain a cushion of 1-2 months of payments in the escrow account to ensure sufficient funds are available.

Property tax payments from escrow accounts are typically made in late January to meet the January 31 due date, though some lenders may opt for the split payment option (first half by November 30, second half by June 30). Homeowners should verify that their lender is making timely payments and can monitor their tax payment status through the Tarrant County Tax Office portal. If you pay your own taxes without escrow, you can make payments online, by mail, or in person at https://www.tarrantcounty.com/taxoffice.

Annual escrow analysis statements from your lender will show any shortage or surplus based on actual tax bills versus collected amounts. Given Texas property values and assessments can change significantly year-over-year, escrow shortages are common and may require increased monthly payments or lump-sum payments to bring the account current.

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 Tarrant County? A: Property taxes are due January 31st. You can pay the full amount by January 31st, or split payments with first half due November 30th and second half due June 30th.

Q: How do I apply for a homestead exemption? A: Apply through the Tarrant Appraisal District at https://www.tad.org/. The $100,000 school district exemption must be filed by April 30th and applies to your primary residence only.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Penalty and interest charges begin February 1st. Penalties are 6% in February, 7% in March, 8% in April, 9% in May, 10% in June, and 12% in July and after, plus 1% interest monthly.

Q: How can I appeal my property assessment? A: File a protest with the Tarrant Appraisal Review Board by May 15th (or within 30 days of receiving your notice). Protests can be filed online through the TAD website.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, online payments are available at https://www.tarrantcounty.com/taxoffice. You can pay by bank draft or credit card, though credit card payments include convenience fees.

Q: What is the 10% appraisal cap? A: Texas law limits annual appraisal increases to 10% for homestead properties, helping protect homeowners from dramatic assessment increases year-over-year.

Q: Do I get a tax bill if my mortgage company pays through escrow? A: Yes, you'll still receive a tax statement for your records, but it will be marked that payment should be made by your mortgage servicer.

Q: What property improvements require reporting to the appraisal district? A: Major improvements like additions, pools, garages, or substantial renovations should be reported. Building permits typically trigger automatic reassessment by the Tarrant Appraisal District.

Verified Sources

Backed by 8 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Tarrant County Assessortad.org
02
County
Tarrant County Tax Collectortarrantcounty.com
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax Rate History 2016 - 2025tarrantcountytx.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Taxes | Benbrook, TX - Official Websiteci.benbrook.tx.us
05
Tax Doc
Property Taxtarrantcountytx.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Forms - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
07
Tax Doc
FAQ's - Property Tax and Mineral Taxtarrantcountytx.gov
08
ANNUAL OPERATINGtarrantcountytx.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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