Property Taxes In Austin Tx
Austin property taxes rank among the highest in Texas, driven by years of rapid home value appreciation. The city’s 2025-26 rate is $0.5740 per $100 of assessed value, but once you stack county, school district, and other local levies on top, the median annual bill lands around $8,172. Homestead exemptions can reduce that total significantly, though owners must apply by April 30 and file a separate protest if the appraisal looks inflated.
Austin Property Tax Rates by Category
- Combined rate: Austin homeowners pay roughly 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value annually across city, county, school district, and special district levies combined.
- City portion: The City of Austin’s 2025-26 rate is $0.5740 per $100 of valuation, just one of several overlapping taxing entities on every property.
- Exempt categories: Disabled Veterans, seniors over 65, and surviving spouses can qualify for freezes or full exemptions that significantly reduce or eliminate their tax burden.
- Bottom line: Texas has no state income tax, so local property taxes carry the full load. At a median annual bill near $8,172, budget accordingly before buying in Austin.
Austin Property Taxes by Home Price Tier
- Starter home ($250K): At Austin’s effective rate of 1.8% to 2.5%, annual taxes range from $4,500 to $6,250 before any exemptions are applied.
- Median-price home ($400K): Annual taxes land between $7,200 and $10,000, consistent with the metro area’s median bill near $8,172 reported for recent years.
- Homestead exemption offset: Owner-occupants who file a homestead exemption reduce their taxable value, typically shaving $1,200 to $2,500 off the annual bill depending on jurisdiction.
- Budget takeaway: On a $400,000 purchase with homestead exemption filed, budget $500 to $650 per month in escrow for property taxes alone, on top of your mortgage payment.
Austin Property Tax Exemptions
- Homestead basics: Texas homestead exemption removes $100,000 from school district taxable value and $25,000 from city and county valuations on your primary residence.
- Over-65 and Veteran: Homeowners 65 or older get an additional $10,000 school exemption plus a permanent school tax ceiling. Disabled Veterans may qualify for full exemption.
- Filing deadline: File with Travis Central Appraisal District by April 30 of the year you claim. Late filers can apply retroactively for up to two prior years.
- Main takeaway: Skipping the homestead filing costs the average Austin homeowner over $1,000 per year in avoidable taxes, and the application takes roughly ten minutes to complete.
Real-World Austin Property Tax Examples
- Purchase example: On a $550,000 home in 78745 with no exemptions filed, expect roughly $11,825 per year in combined city, county, and school district taxes.
- Appraisal protest example: If TCAD raises your value from $425,000 to $510,000, a successful protest back to $460,000 saves approximately $1,075 annually at current combined rates.
- Veteran exemption example: A disabled Veteran with a 100% VA rating pays zero property taxes on their primary residence in Texas, regardless of the home’s appraised value.
- Worth noting: Roughly half of Travis County homeowners who formally protest their appraisal receive a reduction, making the 15-minute filing one of the highest-return financial moves available to Austin homeowners.
How much are property taxes on a $350,000 house in Texas?
In the Austin metro, effective tax rates typically run 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value. On a $350,000 home, that means roughly $6,300 to $8,750 per year before exemptions. A homestead exemption knocks $25,000 off the taxable value, saving you several hundred dollars annually.
What are property taxes in Austin, TX?
Austin homeowners typically pay an effective property tax rate between 1.8% and 2.5% of assessed value, with a median annual bill around $8,172. Texas has no state income tax, so local governments fund schools, roads, and services almost entirely through property taxes. A homestead exemption can lower your taxable value by $100,000.
How do property taxes in Austin, TX work?
Texas has no state income tax, so local governments fund schools, roads, and services through property taxes. The Travis Central Appraisal District assesses your home’s market value annually, then the city, county, and school district each apply their own tax rate. Combined effective rates in Austin typically run 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Austin property taxes rank among the highest in Texas, with combined effective rates typically falling between 1.8% and 2.5% of assessed value. Your actual bill depends on which taxing jurisdictions overlap your address, what your home appraises for, and which exemptions you claim. Those three variables create significant differences between neighbors just a few blocks apart.
The City of Austin’s 2025-26 rate is roughly $0.5740 per $100 of assessed value, but that covers only municipal services. Travis County, Austin ISD, and special districts each stack their own levies on top. Combined, the median annual property tax bill in Austin runs approximately $8,172. A standard homestead exemption removes $100,000 from your taxable value for school district calculations. Over-65 and disabled Veteran exemptions add a permanent tax ceiling. Williamson and Hays county portions of the metro carry their own overlapping rate structures.
- Combined effective property tax rates in Austin range from 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value.
- The Travis Central Appraisal District sets your home’s market value each year, starting in March.
- Homestead exemptions reduce school district taxable value by $100,000 for qualifying owner-occupied properties.
- Texas has no state income tax, so local property taxes fund schools, roads, and emergency services.
- Over-65 and disabled Veteran homeowners lock in a permanent school district tax ceiling.
Current Tax Rates and What You’ll Owe
Austin homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in Texas. The combined effective rate in Travis County typically falls between 1.8% and 2.5% of assessed value, depending on which taxing districts overlap your address. On a home assessed at $400,000, that translates to roughly $7,200 to $10,000 per year. Multiple entities each levy their own rate, and they all stack on the same assessed value.
Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) sets your home’s assessed value each year, with notices arriving in March. The city, county, school district, and special districts then apply their individual rates to that number. Austin ISD typically accounts for the largest share of your bill, often more than half. If your assessed value jumps significantly year over year, you have until May 15 (or 30 days after your notice) to file a protest with TCAD.
| Taxing Entity | 2025-26 Rate (per $100) | Annual Cost on $400K Home |
|---|---|---|
| Austin ISD | $1.0517 | $4,207 |
| City of Austin | $0.5740 | $2,296 |
| Travis County | $0.3461 | $1,384 |
| Travis County Healthcare District | $0.1029 | $412 |
| Austin Community College | $0.0949 | $380 |
| Combined Total | $2.1696 | $8,679 |
For a home assessed at $400,000 in central Austin, your total annual tax bill lands around $8,679 before exemptions. Filing a homestead exemption with TCAD reduces your taxable value and saves hundreds per year. If you’re over 65 or a disabled Veteran, additional freezes and exemptions can cut your school district portion further. Factor these savings into your monthly budget before you make an offer.
How to Look Up Your Tax Account
Travis County makes property tax lookups straightforward through its online portal. Search by owner name, property address, or account number on the Travis County Tax Office website. The system returns your current balance, payment history, exemption status, and assessed values going back several years. No login or account creation required. Most searches take under a minute, and you can print receipts directly from the results page.
If your property sits in Williamson or Hays County (common for addresses in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, or Buda), you need that county’s tax office instead. Each county appraisal district maintains separate records. The Travis Central Appraisal District handles property valuations, while the Tax Office handles billing and collection. Knowing which office does what saves time when you’re disputing an assessed value versus paying a bill or requesting a receipt for your mortgage company.
| Resource | What You’ll Find | Search By |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County Tax Office | Current balance, payment history, printable receipts | Address, owner name, account number |
| Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) | Assessed value, exemptions, property details, protest filing | Address, owner name, property ID |
| Williamson County Tax Office | Tax bills for Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander | Address, owner name, account number |
| Hays County Tax Office | Tax bills for Buda, Kyle, San Marcos | Address, owner name, account number |
| Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes | Links to all county tax databases statewide | County selection |
Pull up your account before protest season opens in May. Compare the assessed value on TCAD’s site against recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. If the appraisal district has your home valued above what similar properties actually sold for, that comparison is your starting point for a protest. Screenshot your account details so you have a baseline when new valuations arrive the following March.
What Does a $350K Home Cost in Taxes?
A home assessed at $350,000 in Travis County typically costs between $6,300 and $8,750 per year in property taxes before exemptions. The exact bill depends on which taxing jurisdictions overlap your property. School district, city, county, healthcare district, and community college levies all stack on top of each other, and every address carries a slightly different combination.
Filing a homestead exemption changes the math significantly. Texas offers a $100,000 school district exemption for primary residences, which drops your taxable value to $250,000 for the AISD portion alone. Travis County and the City of Austin add their own homestead reductions on top of that. Most homeowners who file see their annual bill fall by $1,500 to $2,500 compared to the no-exemption baseline.
- No exemptions at 2.15% effective rate: roughly $7,525 per year, or about $627 per month in escrow
- With homestead exemption filed: annual bill typically drops to the $5,200 to $6,000 range on a $350K assessed value
- Over-65 or disabled Veteran freeze: locks your school district taxes at the amount owed the year you qualify, regardless of future appraisal increases
- Protest impact: a successful $25,000 reduction in assessed value saves roughly $540 to $625 per year depending on your combined rate
- New construction trap: newly built homes often appraise at full market value with no prior cap, so year-one bills on a $350K new build can run $800 to $1,200 higher than a comparable resale with a 10% homestead cap in place
When you run your monthly housing budget, add the tax escrow to your mortgage principal and interest. On a $350K home with exemptions, that escrow adds $430 to $500 per month. Without exemptions, you are closer to $630. That gap alone can shift what price range you qualify for, so filing your homestead exemption the year you close is one of the highest-return moves you can make.
Property Taxes in Austin: Year-Over-Year Trends
Austin property tax bills have risen sharply since 2020, driven almost entirely by assessed value increases rather than rate hikes. Travis County median home values nearly doubled between 2019 and 2022 before pulling back modestly. Several taxing entities actually lowered their individual rates during that stretch, but the valuation surge overwhelmed those reductions for most homeowners.
| Tax Year | Median Assessed Value (Travis County) | City of Austin Rate (per $100) | Estimated Median Annual Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $340,000 | $0.5335 | $6,200 |
| 2022 | $460,000 | $0.5410 | $8,400 |
| 2023 | $440,000 | $0.5569 | $7,900 |
| 2024 | $430,000 | $0.5491 | $7,800 |
| 2025 | $445,000 | $0.5740 | $8,172 |
Homeowners who bought before the 2021 surge and filed a homestead exemption saw their taxable value capped at 10% annual growth, which blunted the worst increases. Buyers who purchased near the 2022 peak may see slight relief as assessed values stabilize, but the long-term trajectory points upward. Budget accordingly when estimating carrying costs on any Austin purchase.
Costly Filing Mistakes That Raise Your Bill
Missing a filing deadline or submitting incomplete paperwork is the fastest way to overpay on Austin property taxes. The Travis Central Appraisal District processes thousands of exemption applications and protest filings each year, and errors on your end mean you pay the higher amount until the next cycle. Most of these mistakes are avoidable with basic attention to dates and documentation.
- Late homestead exemption filing. Texas allows filing up to two years after the delinquency date, but many homeowners miss even that window. Every year without the exemption costs you the full taxable value on your school district portion.
- Not protesting after a value spike. The May 15 protest deadline (or 30 days after your notice, whichever is later) is firm. If your 2026 notice shows a 15% jump and you don’t file, you accept that valuation for the entire tax year.
- Filing a protest without comparable sales data. Showing up to an ARB hearing and saying “my taxes are too high” gets denied. Bring 3 to 5 recent sales of similar homes within a half-mile radius to support a lower valuation.
- Forgetting to re-file after ownership changes. Homestead exemptions don’t transfer automatically when you buy a new property. You need to file a new application with the Travis Central Appraisal District for your current address.
- Ignoring the over-65 or disability exemption. These freeze your school district taxes at the amount owed the year you qualify. Waiting even one year to file means you lock in at a higher baseline.
One missed deadline on a $400,000 home can cost $1,000 or more in a single tax year. Set calendar reminders for your appraisal notice (typically mid-April) and the protest deadline. If you’re buying a home mid-year, confirm with your title company that prorated taxes reflect the correct exemption status at closing.
Steps to Protest or Reduce Your Assessment
Travis County homeowners can protest their assessed value through the Travis Central Appraisal District every year, and roughly half of those who file see a reduction. The deadline to file is May 15 or 30 days after your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. You don’t need an attorney or tax consultant to file, though both are options.
Your strongest evidence is comparable sales data from properties similar to yours in size, age, condition, and location. Pull recent sales from the TCAD property search. Photos of deferred maintenance, foundation cracks, or flood zone proximity also strengthen a case. If your assessed value jumped significantly but you have a homestead exemption, the 10% cap limits your taxable increase this year, but protesting the underlying market value still protects you in future tax cycles.
| Step | Deadline / Timing | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Receive notice of appraised value | March–April | Review TCAD’s assessed market value against your own estimate |
| File protest | May 15 or 30 days after notice | Submit online at TCAD.org, by mail, or in person |
| Gather evidence | Before hearing date | Collect 3–5 comparable sales, photos of property issues, repair estimates |
| Informal hearing | Scheduled by TCAD | Meet with an appraiser one-on-one to negotiate a lower value |
| Formal ARB hearing | If informal fails | Present evidence to the Appraisal Review Board panel |
| Binding arbitration or district court | After ARB decision | Appeal further if the reduction is insufficient (filing fees apply) |
A homeowner with a $400,000 assessed value who successfully protests down to $370,000 saves roughly $540 to $750 per year depending on their combined tax rate. Even a modest 5% reduction compounds over time. The informal hearing resolves most protests without ever reaching the formal board, so preparation matters more than presentation skills.
The Bottom Line
Austin property taxes rank among the highest in Texas, with combined effective rates in Travis County running between 1.8% and 2.5% of assessed value. On a $350,000 home, that translates to $6,300 to $8,750 per year before exemptions. Bills have climbed sharply since 2020, driven almost entirely by assessed value increases as Travis County median home values nearly doubled between 2019 and 2022.
The key factor in controlling your bill comes down to filing exemptions on time and protesting your assessed value when the numbers don’t match reality. Missing a deadline or submitting incomplete paperwork is the fastest way to overpay. Look up your account through the Travis County Tax Office portal, verify your assessed value against recent comparable sales, and file your protest before the annual deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Travis County property tax rate?
The total property tax rate in Travis County ranges from roughly 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on which taxing jurisdictions overlap at your address. The City of Austin’s 2025-26 rate is approximately $0.574017 per $100 of valuation. Austin ISD, Travis County operations, Austin Community College, and Central Health each add their own rates on top. Texas has no state property tax, so your entire bill funds local services. The exact combined rate varies by address. Check the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) website for the precise rate breakdown at your specific property.
What taxing entities are included on a Travis County property tax bill?
A typical Austin homeowner’s bill combines levies from Travis County, the City of Austin, Austin ISD, Austin Community College, and Central Health. Properties in municipal utility districts (MUDs) or emergency services districts pay additional levies on top of those. Austin ISD usually accounts for the largest share, roughly 40% to 45% of most bills. The Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) determines your property’s assessed value but does not collect taxes. The Travis County Tax Office handles billing and collection for all entities on a single combined statement.
Do property tax rates in Austin vary by ZIP code?
Yes, significantly. Your total rate depends on which taxing jurisdictions overlap at your address. A home in 78745 (South Austin, Travis County, Austin ISD) carries a different combined rate than one in 78717 (North Austin, Williamson County, Round Rock ISD). Even within Travis County, properties inside MUDs or emergency services districts pay additional levies. Two homes with identical appraised values can have bills that differ by thousands of dollars based on location alone. Use TCAD’s online property search to check the exact combined rate for any specific address.
How do I calculate my property taxes in Austin, TX?
Multiply your property’s assessed value by the combined tax rate for your specific address. If your home is assessed at $400,000 and your combined rate is 2.15%, your annual bill is approximately $8,600. Apply exemptions first: the homestead exemption removes $100,000 from your taxable value for school district taxes (per 2023 legislation), so that $400,000 drops to $300,000 for the ISD portion of your bill. TCAD’s website has a tax estimator that pulls your actual overlapping jurisdictions automatically. SmartAsset’s Texas property tax calculator also works for quick estimates.
How do I search Travis County property tax records?
Go to the Travis Central Appraisal District website (traviscad.org) and use the property search tool. You can search by property address, account number, or geographic ID. Results show appraised value, assessed value, exemptions on file, ownership details, and historical values. For tax payment history and current balances owed, use the Travis County Tax Office site (traviscountytx.gov/tax-office) instead. Both tools are free and updated regularly. TCAD also provides prior-year values so you can track how your assessment has changed over time.
Can I look up Travis County property taxes by owner name?
Yes. The Travis Central Appraisal District property search at traviscad.org supports owner name searches. Enter the last name first, and TCAD returns all matching property accounts in Travis County. This is useful when you don’t have an exact address, such as when researching a seller’s other holdings or checking a neighbor’s assessed value. Results show the property address, account number, appraised value, and exemptions on file. Properties held in trusts or LLCs may not appear under an individual’s name, so try searching the entity name if a person search returns no results.
How do I view my Travis County property tax bill online?
Visit the Travis County Tax Office website (traviscountytx.gov/tax-office) and search by property address or account number. Your bill shows the breakdown by taxing entity, total amount due, and payment deadlines. Bills are typically mailed in October and due by January 31 of the following year. The online portal also displays delinquent balances, partial payments applied, and exemption credits. If you escrow through a mortgage lender, your lender receives the bill directly, but you can still view it online for your records. Save your account number for faster lookups.
How do I pay my Travis County property taxes?
The Travis County Tax Office accepts payments online, by mail, in person, or by phone. Online payments through traviscountytx.gov accept eChecks at no fee and credit or debit cards with a convenience fee (typically 2% to 3%). Payments are due January 31. If you miss that deadline, penalties and interest start at 7% in February and increase each month. Texas law allows split payments: pay half by November 30 and the remaining half by June 30. Homeowners age 65 or older, or those with a disability, can apply for quarterly installment plans.
