Dallas County Property Tax Rate Guide (2026)

Texas does not have a state income tax. Instead, local governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, emergency services, hospitals, and other public infrastructure. Dallas County property taxes follow an ad valorem system, meaning they are based on the assessed value of your property.

Property taxes in Dallas County are not set by a single entity. Multiple overlapping taxing jurisdictions each set their own rate and collect their own portion of your tax bill. For a typical Dallas homeowner, these jurisdictions include:

• Dallas County — funds county government operations, courts, and infrastructure
• City of Dallas (or whichever city your property is in) — funds police, fire, parks, and municipal services
• School district (e.g., Dallas ISD, Richardson ISD, Garland ISD) — typically the single largest portion of your tax bill
• Special districts — such as the Parkland Hospital District, Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), and any applicable municipal utility districts (MUDs)

The Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) is responsible for appraising the market value of every property in Dallas County each year. DCAD does not set tax rates or collect taxes — it only determines what your property is worth. Each taxing jurisdiction then applies its own rate to your appraised (or taxable) value to calculate its share of your bill.

The property tax fiscal year in Texas runs from January 1 through December 31. DCAD appraises property values as of January 1 each year. Appraisal notices are mailed in April or May, and tax bills go out in October. Payment is due by January 31 of the following year.

The table below shows approximate 2025-2026 property tax rates for the major taxing jurisdictions that overlap a typical home in the City of Dallas. Rates are expressed per $100 of taxable value.

Rates can change each year as taxing jurisdictions adopt new budgets. School district rates in particular have shifted in recent years due to state funding changes under House Bill 3 and subsequent legislation. Some cities within Dallas County — such as Irving, Mesquite, and Garland — have different city tax rates than Dallas proper, which affects the total combined rate for homeowners in those areas.

Calculating your Dallas County property tax bill is a three-step process:

Step 1: DCAD Appraises Your Property's Market Value

Each January 1, the Dallas Central Appraisal District determines the market value of your property. DCAD uses recent sales of comparable homes, property characteristics (square footage, lot size, age, condition), and market trends to arrive at an appraised value. This is the number that appears on your appraisal notice.

Step 2: Apply Exemptions to Get Your Taxable Value

If you qualify for any exemptions (homestead, over-65, disabled veteran, etc.), they reduce your appraised value before the tax rate is applied. The result is your taxable value — the number your tax bill is actually based on.

Step 3: Multiply Taxable Value by the Combined Tax Rate

Each taxing jurisdiction multiplies your taxable value by its rate. The sum of all jurisdictions equals your total annual property tax bill.

Without the homestead exemption, the school district portion alone would be $3,558.45 — about $1,017 more per year. That is why filing for your homestead exemption is one of the most important things you can do as a Dallas County homeowner.

Texas offers several property tax exemptions that can significantly reduce your tax bill. Here are the main exemptions available to Dallas County homeowners:

General Homestead Exemption

If you own and occupy your home as your primary residence, you qualify for the general homestead exemption. This exemption reduces your taxable value for school district taxes by $100,000 of appraised value. Some cities within Dallas County also offer an additional percentage-based homestead exemption (typically 20% of appraised value) for their portion of taxes. Dallas County itself offers a flat dollar amount exemption as well.

The homestead exemption also caps your appraised value increase to no more than 10% per year for the homestead portion, which protects you from sudden spikes in your tax bill even if the market surges.

Over-65 Exemption

If you are 65 or older and your home is your primary residence, you qualify for an additional $10,000 exemption from your school district taxes on top of the general homestead exemption. Many cities and other taxing entities in Dallas County offer additional over-65 exemptions as well.

The over-65 exemption also provides a tax ceiling (freeze) on your school district taxes. Once you turn 65 and receive this exemption, your school district tax amount is frozen at that year's level and will not increase unless you make improvements to the property. This freeze transfers to a surviving spouse age 55 or older.

Disabled Person Exemption

Homeowners with a qualifying disability can receive an additional $10,000 exemption from school district taxes. This functions similarly to the over-65 exemption and also includes a tax ceiling freeze on school taxes. You cannot receive both the over-65 and disabled person exemptions — you must choose one (whichever provides the greater benefit).

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Veterans with a service-connected disability receive an exemption that varies based on their disability rating:

• 10-29% disability: $5,000 exemption from property value
• 30-49% disability: $7,500 exemption
• 50-69% disability: $10,000 exemption
• 70-100% disability: $12,000 exemption
• 100% disability (or unemployability): Full exemption from all property taxes on the homestead

The surviving spouse of a veteran who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability may also qualify for a full exemption.

How to Apply for Exemptions

All exemption applications are filed with the Dallas Central Appraisal District using DCAD Form 11.13 (Homestead Exemption Application). You can file online through the DCAD website or submit a paper form by mail or in person. The deadline to file is April 30 of the tax year for which you are requesting the exemption. However, you can file up to two years late and still receive the exemption retroactively.

You only need to file once — the homestead exemption stays in place as long as you own and occupy the property. If your circumstances change (you turn 65, become disabled, etc.), you will need to file an additional application for the new exemption.

If you believe DCAD has overvalued your property, you have the right to protest. The protest process is free, and many homeowners successfully reduce their appraised value — which directly lowers their tax bill. Here is how it works, step by step:

1. Review Your Appraisal Notice

DCAD mails appraisal notices in April or May each year. The notice shows your property's proposed market value for the upcoming tax year. Review it carefully and compare it to what you believe your home would actually sell for in its current condition.

2. File Your Protest by the Deadline

You must file a Notice of Protest by May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice was mailed — whichever is later. You can file online through the DCAD website, by mail, or in person. Filing is simple: you state that you disagree with the appraised value and check the appropriate reason (most homeowners choose "value is over market value").

3. Attend the Informal Hearing

After filing, DCAD will schedule an informal hearing where you meet with an appraiser to discuss your property's value. This is a conversation, not a courtroom proceeding. Bring your evidence (see below) and be prepared to explain why you believe the value should be lower. Many protests are resolved at this stage with a negotiated reduction.

4. Formal Hearing Before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB)

If you cannot reach an agreement at the informal hearing, your case goes to the Appraisal Review Board. The ARB is an independent panel that hears both sides — your evidence and DCAD's — and makes a binding decision. The hearing is more structured, but you do not need an attorney to attend.

5. Evidence to Gather

Strong protest evidence includes:

• Comparable sales (comps): Recent sales of similar homes in your area that sold for less than your appraised value. Focus on homes with similar square footage, lot size, age, and condition.
• Photos of property condition: Document any issues that affect value — foundation cracks, roof damage, outdated systems, needed repairs.
• Repair estimates: Written quotes from contractors for any work your property needs. This supports the argument that market value should be lower.
• Equity analysis: Show that similar properties in your neighborhood are appraised at lower values for the same or similar characteristics. DCAD is required to appraise properties uniformly.

6. Further Appeals

If the ARB ruling is still not satisfactory, you have additional options: binding arbitration (for properties appraised at $5 million or less, with a $550 deposit) or filing an appeal in district court. Most homeowners find resolution at the informal or ARB stage.

Success Rates and Typical Reductions

Property tax protests are common and often successful in Dallas County. According to data from the Texas Comptroller, a significant majority of residential protests result in some reduction. Typical reductions range from 5% to 15% of the appraised value, though larger reductions are possible when the evidence is strong. Even a modest 10% reduction on a $350,000 home saves you approximately $800 or more per year in taxes.

Understanding the payment timeline is critical. Missing the deadline triggers penalties and interest that add up quickly.

Key Dates

• October 1: Tax bills are mailed by the county tax assessor-collector
• January 31: Payment is due. Singling this date matters — even one day late triggers penalties
• February 1: Taxes become delinquent and penalties begin

Penalty and Interest Schedule

Once you miss the January 31 deadline, penalties and interest accumulate monthly:

By July, you could owe up to 38% more than your original tax bill in penalties, interest, and collection fees. On a $7,000 tax bill, that is an additional $2,660.

Payment Plans and Deferrals

Over-65 and disabled homeowners can defer their property taxes entirely as long as they own and occupy the home. Interest accrues at 5% per year, but no penalties or foreclosure can occur while the deferral is in place. The deferred taxes (plus interest) become due when the property is sold or the homeowner no longer occupies it.

Installment agreements are available to any homeowner who cannot pay in full. You must request the agreement before taxes become delinquent (by January 31). The agreement typically splits the bill into four equal quarterly payments with interest.

What Happens if You Do Not Pay

If property taxes remain unpaid, the taxing jurisdictions place a tax lien on your property. This lien takes priority over almost all other claims, including your mortgage. After taxes are delinquent for an extended period — typically two or more years — the taxing entities can file a tax foreclosure lawsuit. If successful, your property is sold at a public auction to recover the unpaid taxes.

Tax foreclosure is a real risk in Dallas County. If you are behind on property taxes and worried about losing your home, it is important to explore your options quickly. Selling the property — even to a cash buyer — can help you avoid foreclosure and walk away with equity.

Property taxes are one of the most common reasons Dallas County homeowners decide to sell. Here is how taxes factor into different selling scenarios:

High Tax Burden as a Reason to Sell

With combined rates around 2.37% in the City of Dallas, a $400,000 home can easily generate $8,000 or more per year in property taxes. For homeowners on fixed incomes, retirees, or those whose property values have risen faster than their income, the tax burden can become unsustainable. Selling and downsizing — or moving to a lower-tax area — is a practical solution.

Delinquent Taxes at Closing

If you owe back taxes when you sell, the title company handling the closing will pay the delinquent taxes (plus all penalties and interest) directly from your sale proceeds before you receive your funds. This is standard practice — the buyer receives a clean title, and you walk away with whatever remains after all liens and costs are settled.

Tax Liens and Traditional Sales

A property tax lien complicates traditional sales because lenders are reluctant to finance a property with outstanding liens. Many conventional buyers and their mortgage companies will not proceed if delinquent taxes exist. This shrinks your buyer pool and can stall or kill a deal. For a deeper look at this situation, visit our tax liens situation page.

Selling to a Cash Buyer When You Owe Back Taxes

Cash buyers like Alpha Cash Buyers purchase homes regardless of tax status. We handle the title work, pay off delinquent taxes at closing from the sale proceeds, and close on your timeline. There are no agent commissions and no repair requirements. If you owe more in taxes than the property is worth — which is rare but does happen — we will be upfront about it. To see how our process works, visit our How It Works page or call us directly at (469) 983-3923.

Property Tax Proration at Closing

When a property changes hands mid-year, property taxes are prorated between the buyer and seller at closing. The seller pays taxes for the portion of the year they owned the home, and the buyer picks up the remainder. For example, if you close on April 1, you are responsible for roughly 25% of the annual tax bill. The title company calculates this and adjusts the settlement statement accordingly.

Understanding Your Net Proceeds

Property taxes are just one component of what comes out of your sale proceeds. To understand the full picture — including title fees, transfer costs, and other line items — read our complete guide to closing costs in Texas. If you are comparing a cash offer to a traditional listing, our cash vs. listing comparison tool shows you the net difference side by side.

For homeowners specifically in the City of Dallas, our Sell My House Fast in Dallas and We Buy Houses Dallas TX pages explain exactly how we work with Dallas homeowners to close quickly and fairly.