Property Taxes

File a written protest with the district by May 31. A protest form is available, but a notice of protest is sufficient if it identifies the owner, the property that is subject to the protest, and indicates that you are dissatisfied with a decision made by the district.

The protest will be heard by an independent panel of the Appraisal Review Board. (These are residents which are not employees of the appraisal district).

If you believe the value of your property is too high, examples of items to provide the panel are a closing statement if you recently purchased the property or sales price of other homes in your neighborhood if they have recently been sold.

If you own your home on Jan. 1 and it is your primary residence, the greater of 15 percent of the appraised value or five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) of the residential homestead of all persons shall be exempt from city property taxes.

If you are 65 on Jan. 1 an additional $45,000 exemption on the value may be applied for at the appraisal district. When you file for the Senior Exemption, the amount you pay for property tax freezes and will not go higher, even when the value of your home increases.  You may also be eligible for a disabled or disabled veteran exemption and should contact your appraisal district:

Dallas County Appraisal District (DCAD)
214-653-7811

Tarrant County Appraisal District (TAD)
817-284-0024

If the district processes the application before the tax roll is certified in July, then the original tax bill will reflect the correction. If not, then a corrected statement will be sent to the taxpayer when it is processed.

If a mortgage company was sent the original bill, they will probably pay the higher amount and the city will refund the difference after receipt of the payment.

In some instances the application may not be processed by Jan. 31, then you should pay the amount on the original bill or contact each taxing entity and have them calculate an anticipated corrected bill.

If no payment is made, late charges will be incurred even if the district subsequently submits the correction.

State law permits the waiving of late charges only if an act or omission by the tax entity or the appraisal district causes the taxpayer to be late. Failure of the Postal Service to cancel an envelope on Jan. 31, even though the payment was placed in a mail box on Jan. 31, is not sufficient for a waiver.

In February, the Dallas County Tax Office will send a delinquent tax notice. The notice will include late penalty and interest charges on the unpaid balance.

Each month thereafter that the bill remains unpaid, additional penalty and interest charges are added.

Outside attorneys hired to collect delinquent taxes can charge an additional percent penalty to cover their fees. In addition, if a delinquent tax lawsuit is filed, then court costs will be incurred by the taxpayer.

Contact your county tax office for more information:

Dallas County Tax Office
214-653-7811

Tarrant County Tax Office
817-884-1100

Dallas County Tax Office
214-653-7811

Dallas County Appraisal District (DCAD)
214-631-0910

Tarrant County Tax Office
817-884-1100

Tarrant County Appraisal District (TAD)
817-284-0024

Finance Department
972-237-8091