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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Washington County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Washington 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
Varies by location, typically 2.0-2.8% combined rate (county, school, municipal, special districts)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Washington County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system, which serves as the primary funding mechanism for local government services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and various special districts. Property taxes in Washington County fund essential services such as public education, law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, and emergency services. The county follows Texas Property Tax Code guidelines, with assessments based on market value as of January 1st each year.

Property tax rates in Washington County vary by location within the county due to the combination of different taxing entities that serve each area. These may include the county, school districts, cities, emergency services districts, water districts, and other special purpose districts. For 2025, the county approved a budget that increases property tax revenue by $1,337,966, representing a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Effective tax rates typically range from approximately 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on your specific location and the combination of taxing districts that serve your property.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

The following represents typical tax rate components for Washington County properties (rates vary by specific location and taxing districts):

ComponentApproximate RateDescription
Washington County$0.3840 per $100County operations, roads, sheriff, courts
School District$1.00-$1.30 per $100Public education (varies by district)
Emergency Services$0.10-$0.15 per $100Fire protection, EMS (if applicable)
Municipal$0.20-$0.60 per $100City services (if within city limits)
Special Districts$0.05-$0.20 per $100Water, MUD, other special purposes

Total Combined Rate Range: $1.70-$2.50 per $100 of assessed value

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 tax year. Your actual rate depends on which taxing districts serve your specific property location. The No-New Revenue Tax Rate for Washington County was $0.381614 per $100 for 2024.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Washington 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 Texas occur when there are changes to property ownership, new construction, or improvements completed after the January 1st assessment date. When new construction is completed or substantial improvements are made to existing property, the appraisal district may issue a supplemental assessment to capture the increased value for the current tax year.

Supplemental taxes are calculated by determining the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, then applying the current tax rate to that difference. The tax is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the tax year after the change occurred.

Example: If you complete a $50,000 home addition in June, and your total tax rate is $2.00 per $100, you would owe approximately $667 in supplemental taxes ($50,000 × 0.02 × 7/12 months remaining in the tax year). This supplemental bill would be issued separately from your regular annual property tax statement.

Example Calculation

The following examples assume a combined tax rate of $2.00 per $100 assessed value and include the standard $100,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes where applicable:

$300,000 Home (Primary Residence)

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $200,000
  • Annual Tax: $4,000 ($200,000 × 0.02)
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $333

$600,000 Home (Primary Residence)

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $500,000
  • Annual Tax: $10,000 ($500,000 × 0.02)
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $833

$1,000,000 Home (Primary Residence)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • School Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $900,000
  • Annual Tax: $18,000 ($900,000 × 0.02)
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $1,500

Note: The homestead exemption requires application and only applies to your primary residence. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, disabled persons, or veterans but require separate applications.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment or upon request. Your lender collects 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing these funds into an escrow account. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to Washington County when they become due.

Property tax statements are typically mailed between October 17-21 each year, with payments due by January 31st to avoid delinquency. However, many lenders pay by the November 15th deadline to avoid any potential penalties. Your lender will provide an annual escrow analysis showing how your tax payments were calculated and whether any adjustments to your monthly escrow amount are needed.

If you have an escrow account, you'll still receive a copy of your tax statement for your records, but it will be marked to show payment is being handled by your mortgage company. You should verify that your lender pays on time and notify them immediately if you receive any delinquency notices. Property owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid even when using escrow services.

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 Washington County? A: Property taxes are due by January 31st each year. However, November 15th is the last day to pay without any potential penalties. Taxes become delinquent after January 31st.

Q: What homestead exemption is available and do I need to apply? A: Texas offers a $100,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes on your primary residence. This exemption requires application with the Washington County Appraisal District and is NOT automatic. The homestead filing also caps your assessment increases to 10% per year.

Q: Are there other tax exemptions available? A: Yes, additional exemptions may be available for seniors 65+, disabled persons, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses. Each requires a separate application with supporting documentation. Contact the Washington County Appraisal District for specific requirements and deadlines.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Properties are reassessed annually as of January 1st. However, homestead properties with the proper exemption filed cannot increase more than 10% per year in assessed value, even if market value increases more.

Q: What if I disagree with my property assessment? A: You can protest your assessment with the Washington County Appraisal Review Board. Protest deadlines are typically in May. Contact the Washington County Appraisal District for specific dates and procedures.

Q: What happens if I pay late? A: Penalty and interest charges begin accruing on February 1st for delinquent taxes. Interest rates and penalties are set by state law and compound monthly.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Washington County typically offers online payment options. Check the Washington County Tax Assessor-Collector's website for available payment methods, which may include credit cards, electronic checks, and bank transfers.

Q: Why did my taxes increase if the tax rate stayed the same? A: Even with unchanged tax rates, your taxes can increase due to rising property values, new construction in your area, or changes in exemption eligibility. The 10% homestead cap only applies if you have properly filed for the homestead exemption.

Q: Do tax rates vary within Washington County? A: Yes, your total tax rate depends on which combination of taxing entities serve your property, including school district, emergency services district, municipal utility districts, and whether you're within city limits. Properties in different areas of the county may have different total tax rates.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
2025 Approved Budget - Washington County, Texasco.washington.tx.us
02
State
2025-26 Property Tax Statementwashingtoncountyor.gov
03
Tax Doc
TEXAS SALES AND USE TAX RATES – January 2026comptroller.texas.gov
04
County
Washington County Public Access > Homewashcotax.co.washington.or.us
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Law Deadlines - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
06
County
Washington County Property Taxnacdashboard.nara.gov
07
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
08
County
Tax Assessor/Collector - Washington County, Texasco.washington.tx.us
09
County
washington county, texasnewtools.cira.state.tx.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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