This month Texas property owners face one of the most important financial deadlines of the calendar year: the property tax payment deadline of January 31.
Whether you own a home, ranch, farmland, or investment property, understanding this deadline and the basic rules surrounding Texas property taxes can help you stay organized and avoid unnecessary penalties.
This article is for educational purposes only and is intended to provide general information about Texas property tax deadlines and considerations.
Key Deadline: January 31
In Texas, property taxes for the prior tax year are generally due by January 31 of the following year. For example, tax year 2025 property taxes are generally due by January 31, 2026. Payments received after this date typically begin accruing penalties and interest starting February 1. These charges increase over time and may include additional collection-related costs, like attorney’s fees and court costs, if the balance remains unpaid. Property owners should confirm their payment status with their local tax assessor-collector’s office or mortgage servicer, if taxes are escrowed.
Who Should Be Aware of This Deadline?
The January 31 deadline applies to most Texas property owners, including:
- Residential homeowners
- Landowners and ranchers
- Agricultural property owners
- Rental and investment property owners
- Commercial property owners
Even when taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account, property owners may benefit from reviewing their annual tax statement for accuracy. Owners of rural and agricultural property may wish to confirm that any special land valuation (such as agricultural or wildlife valuation) remains in place. Changes in land use or classification can result in significant increases in taxable value. Property owners may find it helpful to review:
- Market and appraised values
- Exemptions or special valuations applied, especially Homestead exemptions and Over-65
- Acreage and land-use descriptions
Reviewing this information annually can help property owners identify potential errors or discrepancies.
Installment and Deferral Options
Under Texas law, certain property owners may be eligible for installment payment options, including:
- Homeowners who are 65 or older
- Disabled homeowners
- Certain disaster-affected properties
Eligibility and requirements vary, and elections generally must be made within specified timeframes. Property owners should consult their local tax office or qualified professionals for details specific to their situation.
If a property owner anticipates difficulty meeting the January 31 deadline, it may be beneficial to:
- Contact the local tax office promptly
- Ask about available payment arrangements
- Review household or business cash flow planning
Addressing issues early may help limit additional costs associated with penalties and interest.
Property Taxes and Long-Term Financial Planning
For many Texas families and landowners, property taxes represent a recurring annual expense that should be considered as part of a broader financial plan. Real estate ownership often plays an important role in:
- Household budgeting
- Investment planning
- Estate and legacy planning
Understanding tax obligations can support more informed decision-making about property ownership and long-term financial goals.
Before the payment deadline, property owners may wish to:
âś” Review the annual tax statement
âś” Confirm exemptions or special valuations are applied
âś” Verify whether payment is made directly or through escrow
âś” Budget funds for payment
âś” Retain proof of payment
Final Thoughts
Texas property ownership carries both opportunities and responsibilities. Being aware of the annual property tax deadline and reviewing property tax statements carefully can help property owners remain in good standing and better manage long-term financial obligations.
At BentOak Capital, we work with Texas families and landowners to provide education and guidance on how real estate fits into their overall financial picture. We encourage property owners to consult with their tax, legal, and financial professionals regarding their individual circumstances.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION: Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by BentOak Capital [“BentOak”]), or any non-investment related services, will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. BentOak is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this document serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for personalized investment advice from BentOak. Please remember that it remains your responsibility to advise BentOak, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. A copy of our current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request at www.bentoakcapital.com/disclosure. The scope of the services to be provided depends upon the needs of the client and the terms of the engagement. Historical performance results for investment indices, benchmarks, and/or categories have been provided for general informational/comparison purposes only, and generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial charges, the deduction of an investment management fee, nor the impact of taxes, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results.  It should not be assumed that your account holdings correspond directly to any comparative indices or categories. Please Also Note: (1) performance results do not reflect the impact of taxes; (2) comparative benchmarks/indices may be more or less volatile than your accounts; and, (3) a description of each comparative benchmark/index is available upon request. Please Note: Limitations: Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any designation, certification, or license should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if BentOak is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers (see link as to participation criteria/methodology, to the extent applicable). Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, BentOak did not pay a fee to be included on any such ranking. No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of BentOak by any of its clients.  ANY QUESTIONS: BentOak’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including the criteria used for any reflected ranking.