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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Wichita County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Wichita 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% - 3.2% effective rate (varies by location and taxing districts)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Wichita County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and special districts. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these governmental entities, with the Texas Property Tax Code governing assessment and collection procedures. The county's effective tax rates typically range from approximately 2.5% to 3.2% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county and the combination of taxing jurisdictions that serve your property.

Property tax rates in Wichita County vary significantly by location due to overlapping taxing districts. A property owner may pay taxes to the county, a city (such as Wichita Falls), a school district, and various special districts for services like emergency services, municipal utility districts, or hospital districts. For 2025, the City of Wichita Falls adopted a tax rate of $0.6825 per $100 of valuation, but your total effective rate will include additional levies from other taxing entities serving your property. Texas law requires a 10% annual assessment cap for homestead properties and provides various exemptions, most notably a $100,000 school district exemption for primary residences, though these benefits require formal application.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100 ValuationDescription
City of Wichita Falls$0.6825Municipal services (FY 2025)
Wichita County~$0.40-0.50County services and administration
School District~$1.20-1.40Local independent school district
Special Districts$0.10-0.30Fire, EMS, hospital, utility districts
Total Range~$2.40-2.90Varies by specific location

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 tax levy year. Actual rates vary significantly based on your property's specific location and which combination of taxing districts serve your address. The no-new-revenue rate for Wichita Falls was calculated at $0.708873 per $100 valuation for comparison purposes. Contact the Wichita County Appraisal District to determine the exact taxing entities and rates for your specific property address.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Wichita 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 Wichita County are additional property tax assessments triggered by changes in property ownership, new construction, or significant improvements that increase a property's assessed value during the tax year. When these qualifying events occur, the county assessor calculates the difference between the new assessment and the original assessment, then prorates the additional tax owed based on 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 appraises at $350,000 due to recent improvements, you would owe supplemental taxes on the $150,000 increase for the remaining seven months of the tax year. At a combined rate of 2.6%, this would result in approximately $2,275 in supplemental taxes ($150,000 × 0.026 × 7/12 months). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 60-90 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from regular property tax installments.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $200,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.60%
  • Annual Tax: $5,200
  • Monthly Escrow: $433

Example 2: $600,000 Property with Homestead and Senior Exemptions

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Senior Exemption (65+): -$10,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $490,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.75%
  • Annual Tax: $13,475
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,123

Example 3: $1,000,000 Investment Property

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • No Exemptions Applied: $0
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: 2.80%
  • Annual Tax: $28,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $2,333

Note: All exemptions require formal application and approval. Tax rates shown are estimates and vary by specific location within Wichita County.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Wichita County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender will collect monthly escrow payments equal to approximately 1/12th of your annual property tax bill, plus a small cushion typically not exceeding two months of payments as allowed by federal law. The lender then makes property tax payments directly to the appropriate taxing authorities on your behalf according to the county's payment schedule.

Wichita County property taxes are collected quarterly with due dates of March 31, June 14, September 30, and December 31. Your mortgage servicer will typically pay these installments before the due dates to avoid penalties. Each year, your lender must provide an escrow analysis statement showing the previous year's activity and any adjustments needed for the coming year. If your property taxes increase due to rising assessments or tax rates, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. You have the right to request information about your escrow account and can pay property taxes directly if you meet your lender's requirements for escrow waiver, though this option is typically only available for borrowers with significant equity in their homes.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Wichita County? A: For the 2025 tax year, Wichita County property taxes are due quarterly: March 31, June 14, September 30, and December 31. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: What homestead exemptions are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary homestead exemption is $100,000 off assessed value for school district taxes on your primary residence. You must apply with the Wichita County Appraisal District, and this exemption is NOT automatic. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors (65+), disabled veterans, and disabled persons, all requiring separate applications.

Q: How does the homestead exemption cap work? A: Texas law limits assessment increases to 10% annually for homestead properties, regardless of market value changes. This cap limits assessment growth but does not reduce your property's market value. You must file for homestead designation to receive this protection.

Q: When is the deadline to apply for exemptions? A: Applications for homestead and other exemptions must generally be filed by April 30th of the tax year, though late applications may be accepted with penalty. Contact the Wichita County Appraisal District for specific deadlines.

Q: How can I appeal my property assessment? A: You can protest your property value with the Wichita County Appraisal Review Board. Protest deadlines are typically in May, and you can file online, by mail, or in person with the appraisal district.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalty and interest charges starting at 6% annually, with additional penalties for delinquent accounts. Severely delinquent taxes can result in tax lien sales.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Wichita County typically offers online payment options through the tax collector's website. Credit card payments may include convenience fees.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Your total property tax includes levies from multiple entities serving your property, such as emergency services districts, hospital districts, or municipal utility districts. These rates vary significantly by location within the county.

Q: What if I disagree with supplemental tax assessments? A: You can appeal supplemental assessments through the same protest process as regular assessments. Contact the Wichita County Appraisal District within the specified timeframe to initiate an appeal.

Q: Are there exemptions for veterans? A: Texas offers property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The exemption amount depends on the disability rating, with 100% disabled veterans potentially receiving full exemption. Applications are required and must be filed with the appraisal district.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Wichita Falls, TX - Official Website | Official Websitewichitafallstx.gov
02
Tax Doc
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX INCREASEwichitafallstx.gov
03
County
County Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
04
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
05
96-308 Appraisal Review Board Manual - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Law Deadlines - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
07
Tax Doc
Texas Property Tax Exemptionscomptroller.texas.gov
08
Tax Doc
Property Tax Exemptions - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
09
Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ)wichitafallstx.gov
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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