Texas Property Tax Bills: What to Expect this October
Nik Stavros, CEO of Johnson & Starr chats with David Arkin, co-founder of Check Out DFW to talk about what Texas homeowners should expect in October when their property tax bills arrive. Read our summary of the interview below. CheckOutDFW.com is a first-of-its-kind real estate and local recommendations product that helps Texas locals live more enjoyable lives.
When Will I Get My October Texas Property Tax Bill?
By the end of October, you should have your property tax bill delivered in the mail, with the exact date differing by county. Check your local tax office website to find out if your bill has been mailed. Once the bills are out, you have until January 31, 2023, to pay your bill, meaning you have about 4 months to pay your bill without any penalties or interest. After February 1st, you start getting large penalties and fees that accrue against that bill. It is very important to be proactive and pay that bill. If you can’t pay it, find a solution otherwise you’ll end up paying more and more in fees.
What to Expect to See on Your Bill This Year
On your bill, you will see the total amount owed, and you’ll be able to see your tax-assessed value which you should have received earlier in the year from your local tax office. There will be a breakdown to show where that money is being allocated–it may be funding a school district, a community college, or a local municipal utility district. It can be helpful for people to see how that amount breaks down.
Will the Current Market Affect My Bill?
Depending on where you live, many Texans saw a big increase in their appraised home value this year. If you had a significant increase from the appraisal district, you should see more of an increase next year on your actual tax bill. Be on the lookout when you get your appraisal next year, as you might consider protesting your bill or looking at your options. It is too late to protest the value of your property for this year’s taxes. Learn more about the county appraisal process.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Afford My Property Tax Bill?
If you can’t afford your tax bill, it does not go away. In fact, it gets worse. Be proactive and find a solution. The bill comes out in October, and you have until the end of January to pay it with no fees during that time period. So, if you can’t personally afford it, talk to your family about options for borrowing, or you may want to talk to a property tax lender. We’re happy to help you at Johnson and Starr or at least advise if that’s the right option for you. You can also call the local tax office and see if you can get a payment plan with them. The bottom line? Don’t run from the problem and don’t hide from it–you don’t want to lose your house from a property tax bill!
How Long Does It Take to Set up a Payment Plan with Johnson & Starr?
Everyone’s situation is different, but with our tax lending platform, we can get you assessed quickly, usually within a day or two, and start the process if it makes sense for both sides. Setting up a payment plan with your local county tax office will likely have a similar process: you call, state your situation and they will let you know if you are eligible for a payment plan. Click here to watch the full interview.
At Johnson & Starr, our goal is to keep families in their homes, and sometimes that means advising you of better options than a loan with us. We also know sometimes life happens, and you may have difficulty making payments. Our property tax loans are customized to fit your unique situation and can be flexible to adapt to nearly any loan requirement. To find out how we can help save your home – give us a call today at 800-203-9157.