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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Ward County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Ward 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
Varies by jurisdiction, typically 2.0-2.5% effective rate (county base rate plus school district and other entities)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Ward County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system, which serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Ward County are assessed annually based on the appraised value of real estate and personal property as of January 1st each year. The county follows Texas state law requiring properties to be assessed at 100% of market value, with various tax credits and exemptions available to qualifying property owners.

Effective tax rates in Ward County vary significantly depending on your specific location within the county due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions including school districts, municipal governments, hospital districts, and other special purpose districts. While the base Ward County tax rate is relatively modest, property owners typically pay combined rates that include multiple taxing entities. Most tax credits and exemptions require annual application and are not automatically applied to your property tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Ward County General0.60000%Base county operations, roads, law enforcement, courts
School DistrictVaries by districtEducational services (rates vary significantly by location)
Hospital DistrictVaries by areaEmergency medical services and hospital operations
MunicipalVaries by cityCity services for incorporated areas only
Special DistrictsVaries by districtWater, fire protection, library, or other special services

Rates shown are for FY 2025-2026 tax year. Your total effective rate depends on which taxing jurisdictions serve your specific property location within Ward County. Contact the Ward County Tax Office at (432) 943-2751 for your property's specific rate combination.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Ward 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 Ward County are additional tax bills issued when there are mid-year changes to property ownership, value, or tax status that weren't captured in the original annual assessment. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property ownership transfers, removal of tax-exempt status, or successful appeals that increase assessed value. These supplemental taxes are calculated by applying the current tax rate to the change in assessed value, then prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in June and your total effective tax rate is 2.5%, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for approximately $1,250 ($100,000 × 0.025 × 6/12 months remaining). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued 30-60 days after the triggering event and have the same payment terms as regular property tax bills.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: $100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $200,000 (school portion) + $300,000 (other taxes)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~2.2% (estimated)
  • Annual Tax: ~$5,500
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$458

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

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Exemption: $100,000 (school)
  • Over-65 Additional Exemption: $10,000 (county)
  • Net Taxable Value: ~$500,000 (school) + $590,000 (county)
  • Annual Tax: ~$12,800
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,067

Example 3: $1,000,000 Commercial Property

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • No Residential Exemptions Apply
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~2.4%
  • Annual Tax: ~$24,000
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$2,000

All exemptions require annual application. Actual rates vary by specific location within Ward County.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Ward County require property tax escrow accounts for loans with less than 20% down payment, though some lenders may require escrow regardless of down payment amount. Your lender collects approximately 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing these funds into a dedicated escrow account. Texas law requires lenders to pay your property taxes before the January 31st deadline to avoid penalties and potential tax lien issues.

Lenders must provide annual escrow analysis statements showing account activity and any required payment adjustments. Since Ward County tax bills are typically issued in October for the following year, lenders may need to estimate taxes and adjust your escrow payments accordingly. You have the right to request escrow account information and can pay property taxes directly if you don't have an escrow requirement, but you must ensure payment reaches the Ward County Tax Office by January 31st to avoid penalties.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Ward County property taxes due for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due January 31st of the following year. For the 2025 tax year, payment is due by January 31, 2026.

Q: What homestead tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary homestead exemption provides up to $100,000 reduction in taxable value for school district taxes on your primary residence. You must apply annually by April 30th. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors over 65 or disabled veterans, all requiring separate applications.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work exactly? A: The homestead exemption reduces your property's taxable value for school taxes and caps annual assessment increases at 10% for residential properties. It doesn't reduce market value but limits how much your taxable value can increase year-over-year. You must file an application with the Ward County Appraisal District.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Ward County? A: All properties are reassessed annually as of January 1st. The Ward County Appraisal District reviews market sales data and property conditions to determine current market value. You'll receive a notice of appraised value typically in April or May.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Penalties begin accruing February 1st at 6% for the first month, then 1% each additional month. Interest charges also apply at 1% per month. After June 30th, additional attorney fees may be added, and tax lien foreclosure proceedings can begin.

Q: Can I pay Ward County property taxes online? A: Yes, Ward 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 of 2.5-3%.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase when my exemptions stayed the same? A: Tax increases can result from higher property values, increased tax rates by any of your taxing jurisdictions, or changes in special district boundaries. Even with exemptions, the non-exempt portion of your property value is subject to rate and assessment changes.

Q: How do I appeal my Ward County property assessment? A: File a protest with the Ward County Appraisal Review Board by May 31st (or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later). You can protest online, by mail, or in person. Provide comparable sales data or evidence of property condition issues to support your case.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
2025 Tax Rates - Ward Countyco.ward.tx.us
02
County
County Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
03
County
2025 Tax Rate Information for website.pdf - Ward Countyco.ward.tx.us
04
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
07
County
Untitled - Ward County, Texasco.ward.tx.us
08
County
Ward County Appraisal District - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
09
County
2026 Adopted Budget - Ward Countyco.ward.tx.us
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax Forms - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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