Overview of Harris County, TX Taxes
The state of Texas has some of the highest property tax rates in the country. In Harris County, the most populous county in the state, the average effective property tax rate is 2.13%. That’s nearly double the national average of 0.99%.
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To calculate the exact amount of property tax you will owe requires your property's assessed value and the property tax rates based on your property's address. Please note that we can only estimate your property tax based on median property taxes in your area. There are typically multiple rates in a given area, because your state, county, local schools and emergency responders each receive funding partly through these taxes. In our calculator, we take your home value and multiply that by your county's effective property tax rate. This is equal to the median property tax paid as a percentage of the median home value in your county.
To calculate the exact amount of property tax you will owe requires your property's assessed value and the property tax rates based on your property's address. Please note that we can only estimate your property tax based on median property taxes in your area. There are typically multiple rates in a given area, because your state, county, local schools and emergency responders each receive funding partly through these taxes. In our calculator, we take your home value and multiply that by your county's effective property tax rate. This is equal to the median property tax paid as a percentage of the median home value in your county.
Harris County Property Tax Rates
The median property tax payment in Texas is $3,797, and the median home value is $237,400. Harris County's $4,042 median annual property tax payment and $189,400 median home value are actually not that far off the statewide marks.
The Commissioners Court sets the Harris County property tax rates. The amount that residents pay in property taxes is also based on property appraisals. The Appraisal District is responsible for assessing the value of different properties. Businesses are subject to taxation for having personal property, including vehicles, machinery and furniture.
A financial advisor can help you understand how homeownership fits into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Harris County Property Tax Breaks
If you can qualify for a tax break, you may be able to reduce your property tax bill. There are several different exemptions and special tax programs that Harris County residents might qualify for, including the homestead exemption and the state’s tax deferral program for active military members.
Through the homestead exemption, you may be able to exclude part of your property’s value from taxation. Property owners may qualify for a homestead exemption on the value of their homes for county taxes, school taxes and taxes levied by other taxing units. A standard homestead exemption also typically comes with a cap that can save taxpayers money by limiting how high their homes’ values can rise.
There are special exemptions for homeowners with disabilities, disabled veterans and homeowners 65 or older. Residents can start submitting applications for the homestead exemption beginning January 1. Applications must be postmarked by April 30.
Disabled individuals and seniors may also qualify for a tax deferral that allows them to postpone their property tax payments. Once they move out of their primary place of residence, they’ll be responsible for paying the taxes they owe (and any accrued interest and penalties) within a 180-day period.
If you have questions about how property taxes can affect your overall financial plans, a financial advisor in Houston can help you out.
Paying Your Harris County Property Taxes
Property tax bills for Harris County residents are usually available near the end of the tax year. If you haven’t received your tax bill by mid-December, contact the Harris County Tax Office.
Tax filers can make a single payment or pay their tax bill in monthly installments. Property tax payments are generally due every year on January 31. Taxpayers who fail to meet this deadline can be charged a penalty. Interest will accrue as well.
Beginning on July 1 (or after April 1 if you use your personal property for business purposes), Harris County residents who haven’t paid their property taxes will be hit with a 15% to 20% collection fee. But taxpayers may be able to avoid paying this fee by signing an installment agreement. This would require them to knock out their unpaid property taxes, interest and penalties in six months.
Harris County residents can pay their property tax bills online, over the phone or in person by visiting one of the county’s branch office locations. Taxpayers who are paying with credit cards should expect to pay a surcharge of about 2.35%. Those who are paying with a debit card may also have to pay a small fee.
Anyone who pays more property taxes than they owe has three years to claim their tax refund. To request your refund check, you’ll need to submit an application to the Harris County Tax Office.
Places Receiving the Most Value for Their Property Taxes
SmartAsset’s interactive map highlights the places across the country where property tax dollars are being spent most effectively. Zoom between states and the national map to see the counties getting the biggest bang for their property tax buck.
Methodology
Our study aims to find the places in the United States where people are getting the most value for their property tax dollars. To do this, we looked at property taxes paid, school rankings and the change in property values over a five-year period.
First, we used the number of households, median home value and average property tax rate to calculate a per capita property tax collected for each county.
As a way to measure the quality of schools, we analyzed the math and reading/language arts proficiencies for every school district in the country. We created an average score for each district by looking at the scores for every school in that district, weighting it to account for the number of students in each school. Within each state, we assigned every county a score between 1 and 10 (with 10 being the best) based on the average scores of the districts in each county.
Then, we calculated the change in property tax value in each county over a five-year period. Places where property values rose by the greatest amount indicated where consumers were motivated to buy homes, and a positive return on investment for homeowners in the community.
Finally, we calculated a property tax index, based on the criteria above. Counties with the highest scores were those where property tax dollars are going the furthest.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2018 American Community Survey, Department of Education
