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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Willacy County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Willacy 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% combined rate (varies by taxing districts within county)
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Willacy County, located in South Texas, operates under the Texas Property Tax Code to fund essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Willacy County are levied by multiple jurisdictions, including the county itself, school districts, cities, and various special districts such as water districts and hospital districts. The combined effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 2.5% to 3.2% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county and which taxing jurisdictions serve your property.

Property tax rates and assessments can vary significantly based on your exact location within Willacy County due to the overlay of different special taxing districts. Rural properties may have different service districts than those within city limits, and some areas may be subject to additional levies for services like drainage, water, or hospital districts. The Willacy County Appraisal District determines property values, while individual taxing entities set their tax rates annually. Property owners should verify which specific taxing jurisdictions apply to their property, as this directly impacts their total tax liability.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

The following represents the general structure of property tax rates in Willacy County for FY 2025-2026. Note that actual rates vary by location due to different combinations of special districts:

ComponentApproximate RateDescription
County Operations0.4500General county services, roads, law enforcement
School District1.3000-1.4500Local school district operations and debt service
City/Municipality0.3000-0.6000City services (varies by city or N/A for unincorporated areas)
Emergency Services District0.0800-0.1200Fire and EMS services (where applicable)
Hospital District0.1500-0.2500Healthcare services (where applicable)
Water/Drainage District0.0500-0.1500Water and drainage infrastructure (where applicable)
Total Combined Rate2.50%-3.20%Varies significantly by location

Rates shown are estimates and actual rates vary by specific taxing jurisdiction combinations. Contact the Willacy County Tax Assessor-Collector at 956-689-3621 for precise rates applicable to your property.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Willacy 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 Willacy County are triggered by changes in property ownership, new construction, or completion of improvements that increase a property's assessed value during the tax year. When these events occur, the county may issue a supplemental tax bill to capture the additional tax liability for the portion of the year following the change. For example, if you purchase a home that was previously exempt or complete a major renovation, you may receive a supplemental bill.

The supplemental tax is calculated by determining the difference between the old and new assessed values, applying the current tax rate to that difference, and prorating it for the remaining months in the tax year. For instance, if new construction adds $100,000 in assessed value in July, and your combined tax rate is 2.8%, you would owe approximately $1,400 ($100,000 × 0.028 × 6/12 months) in supplemental taxes. These bills are typically issued within 90 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from your regular property tax bill.

Example Calculation

The following examples show estimated annual property tax calculations for different home values in Willacy County, assuming a combined tax rate of 2.75% and standard homestead exemption:

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $200,000
  • Annual Tax: $200,000 × 0.0275 = $5,500
  • Monthly (if escrowed): ~$458

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $500,000
  • Annual Tax: $500,000 × 0.0275 = $13,750
  • Monthly (if escrowed): ~$1,146

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • School District Homestead Exemption: -$100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $900,000
  • Annual Tax: $900,000 × 0.0275 = $24,750
  • Monthly (if escrowed): ~$2,063

Note: Homestead exemption requires application and applies only to your primary residence. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, veterans, or disabled persons but must be applied for separately.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Willacy County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of property taxes. Your lender collects a monthly amount equal to your estimated annual property tax divided by 12, plus a cushion amount (typically 2-4 months of payments). The lender holds these funds in an escrow account and pays your property taxes directly to the Willacy County Tax Assessor-Collector when due.

Escrow accounts are analyzed annually, and your monthly payment may be adjusted based on changes in tax rates or assessed values. If your escrow account has a shortage, you may need to pay the deficit or increase your monthly payments. Conversely, overages are typically refunded or credited to reduce future payments. Property owners can verify escrow payments by checking with the Tax Assessor-Collector's office at 956-689-3621 to confirm payments were received. You also have the right to pay property taxes directly if your mortgage is paid off or if your lender doesn't require escrow, but you'll be responsible for meeting all payment deadlines to avoid penalties.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Willacy County for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due in split payments on April 1st and October 1st. Contact Tax Assessor-Collector Melissa Muniz at 956-689-3621 for specific payment details and options.

Q: What homestead tax credit is available and do I need to apply? A: The primary homestead exemption provides up to $100,000 reduction in assessed value for school district taxes on your primary residence. You MUST APPLY for this exemption - it is not automatic. Additionally, the homestead exemption caps your assessment increases to 10% per year, but this requires filing the appropriate application with the Willacy County Appraisal District.

Q: Are there other tax credits available that require applications? A: Yes, several credits are available but ALL require separate applications: Over-65 exemption, disabled person exemption, disabled veteran exemption, and surviving spouse exemptions. Contact the Willacy County Appraisal District to apply for any exemptions you may qualify for.

Q: When is the deadline to apply for exemptions? A: Generally, exemption applications must be filed by April 30th of the tax year, though late applications may be accepted with penalty in some circumstances. Contact the appraisal district immediately if you believe you qualify for any exemptions.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Willacy County? A: Properties are reassessed annually by the Willacy County Appraisal District. Assessment notices are typically mailed in spring, and you have the right to protest your assessed value if you believe it's incorrect.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalty and interest charges. Penalties start at 6% for the first month and increase over time. Prolonged non-payment can result in tax liens and eventual foreclosure proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Willacy County Tax Assessor-Collector's office at 956-689-3621 to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Depending on your property location, you may be subject to additional taxes from emergency services districts, hospital districts, water districts, or other special purpose districts. These can add 0.5% to 1.0% or more to your effective tax rate.

Q: What if I disagree with my property assessment? A: You have the right to protest your assessed value with the Willacy County Appraisal Review Board. Protests must typically be filed by May 31st or within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice, whichever is later.

Q: Do I need to reapply for exemptions every year? A: Most exemptions, once approved, remain in effect as long as you continue to qualify and the property remains your homestead. However, you should notify the appraisal district of any changes in circumstances that might affect your eligibility.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 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
County
Untitled - Willacy County, Texasco.willacy.tx.us
03
County
2025 Tax Rate Calculation Worksheet - Willacy County, Texasco.willacy.tx.us
04
Electronic Appraisal Roll Submission - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
05
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
06
Willacy - Appraisal District Informationcomptroller.texas.gov
07
County
Willacy County Appraisal Districtcomptroller.texas.gov
08
Case 14-70546 Document 91 Filed in TXSB on 03/09/15 Page 1 ...govinfo.gov
09
Untitledftp.legis.state.tx.us
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax Today - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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