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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Winkler County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Winkler 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
2.3% to 2.8% combined rate, varies by school district and municipal boundaries
1st Due
Jan 31
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Winkler County, Texas operates under the state's property tax system, where property taxes serve as the primary funding source for essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The county follows Texas Property Tax Code regulations, with properties assessed annually based on market value as of January 1st each year.

Property tax rates in Winkler County vary by location within the county due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions including the county, school districts, cities, and special districts such as hospital districts or municipal utility districts. For the 2025 tax year, the combined effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 2.3% to 2.8% of assessed value, depending on your specific location and the special taxing districts that serve your property. The largest component is typically the school district tax, followed by county and municipal taxes where applicable.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100Description
Winkler County$0.228631County operations, roads, law enforcement, courts
School District~$1.20-$1.40Local school district operations and debt service
City (if applicable)$0.30-$0.60Municipal services (varies by city)
Hospital District~$0.15-$0.25Local healthcare services (if applicable)
Special Districts$0.05-$0.20Water, sewer, or other utility districts (location-dependent)

Rates shown are for FY 2025-2026 tax year. The Winkler County rate of $0.228631 per $100 is the confirmed no-new-revenue rate. School district and municipal rates vary significantly by location within the county. Contact the Winkler County Appraisal District for your specific total rate based on your property's taxing jurisdictions.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Winkler 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 Winkler County are triggered when property undergoes significant changes during the tax year, such as new construction completion, major improvements, or ownership transfers that reveal previously unassessed value. Under Texas Property Tax Code Section 25.18, the appraisal district must update property values when substantial changes occur.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, it represents the difference between the original assessed value and the new assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if a $100,000 home addition is completed on July 1st, the supplemental tax would be calculated on that $100,000 increase for the remaining 6 months of the tax year (50% of the annual tax on the addition). The supplemental bill is typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and becomes due within 30 days of issuance.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • School District Exemption: $100,000
  • Taxable Value: $200,000 (school) / $300,000 (other entities)
  • Annual Tax: ~$4,800-$5,400 (depending on location)
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$400-$450

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

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • School District Exemption: $100,000
  • Over-65 Additional Exemption: $10,000 (varies by district)
  • Taxable Value: $490,000 (school) / $590,000 (other entities)
  • Annual Tax: ~$12,000-$14,000
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,000-$1,167

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home with Maximum Exemptions

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Combined Exemptions: $110,000-$130,000
  • Taxable Value: $870,000-$890,000
  • Annual Tax: ~$22,000-$26,000
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,833-$2,167

All exemptions require annual application and approval. Tax calculations assume combined rates of 2.4-2.6% and may vary by specific taxing districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Winkler County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property taxes, collecting monthly payments along with principal and interest. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the estimated annual tax bill each month, plus an initial cushion of 2-3 months at closing. The escrow account is analyzed annually, and any shortage or surplus results in payment adjustments for the following year.

Property taxes in Winkler County can be paid in split installments, with the first installment due by September 1st and the second installment due by December 1st. Lenders usually pay the entire annual amount by the January 31st final deadline to avoid any split-payment tracking. Homeowners should verify their tax bills match their lender's escrow analysis and contact their mortgage servicer immediately if discrepancies arise, as special district taxes or exemption changes can affect the total bill.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Winkler County for the current fiscal year? A: For FY 2025-2026, taxes may be paid in two installments: first installment due September 1, 2025, and second installment due December 1, 2025. The final deadline for full payment is January 31, 2026.

Q: What homestead tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary benefit is the $100,000 school district exemption for your primary residence, which requires annual application. Additional exemptions include over-65, disabled veteran, and disability exemptions. All exemptions require separate applications filed with the Winkler County Appraisal District by April 30th.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work? A: The homestead exemption provides two benefits: it reduces your taxable value by $100,000 for school district taxes, and it caps annual assessment increases at 10% for your primary residence. You must file an application - it is not automatic - and the 10% cap applies to the homestead property only.

Q: When are properties assessed and can I appeal? A: Properties are assessed annually as of January 1st. Appraisal notices are mailed by April 1st, and you have until May 15th (or 30 days from notice date, whichever is later) to file a protest with the Winkler County Appraisal Review Board.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Texas law imposes a 6% penalty on February 1st, plus 1% interest per month. Additional attorney fees may apply if the account becomes delinquent and requires collection action.

Q: Can I pay my taxes online? A: Contact the Winkler County Tax Assessor-Collector's office at (432) 586-3401 for current online payment options and accepted payment methods. Many Texas counties offer online payment systems for property taxes.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase if tax rates didn't change? A: Your tax bill can increase due to rising property values, loss of exemptions, completion of new construction, or changes in special district boundaries. The 10% homestead cap only applies if you have a filed homestead exemption.

Q: What special districts might affect my tax bill? A: Depending on your location in Winkler County, you may be subject to hospital district taxes, municipal utility district taxes, or other special purpose district taxes. Your tax bill will itemize all applicable taxing entities and their respective rates.

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 no-new-revenue tax rate calculations - Winkler Countyco.winkler.tx.us
02
County
Notice of meeting to vote on tax rate - Winkler Countyco.winkler.tx.us
03
County
County Rates and Levies (XLSX)comptroller.texas.gov
04
Tax Doc
96-1717 Handbook of Texas Property Tax Rulescomptroller.texas.gov
05
Winkler - 248 - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
06
METHODS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2017 REPORTcomptroller.texas.gov
07
County
Winkler County Appraisal District - Texas Comptrollercomptroller.texas.gov
08
County
Governor of the State of Texas - Winkler Countyco.winkler.tx.us
09
Tax Doc
Property Tax Methods and Assitance Program 2025 Reportcomptroller.texas.gov
10
County
WINKLER COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT PLAN FOR ...comptroller.texas.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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