Property Tax

Dallas County property owners can use the county’s tax services to locate an account, review current and delinquent balances, make payments, obtain receipts, request certain tax documents, and address billing concerns. This article explains which office handles each part of the property tax process, how official payment methods work, what deadlines apply, and how to avoid common problems involving ownership records, exemptions, mortgage payments, partial payments, and delinquent taxes.

Tax Office Responsibilities

The Dallas County Tax Office collects property taxes and maintains payment information for the taxing jurisdictions included on a Dallas County tax account. Its services include issuing tax statements, accepting payments, recording payment activity, researching possible payment errors, processing eligible refunds, and issuing tax certificates and written statements.

The Tax Office does not control every item shown on a property tax account. Property ownership, mailing addresses, appraised values, legal descriptions, and exemptions generally come from the appraisal district responsible for the property. This distinction matters because contacting the wrong office can delay a correction.

The county’s property tax information page organizes services involving account searches, payments, billing, delinquency, exemptions, ownership, refunds, certificates, tax rates, and payment arrangements.

Tax Office matters

The Dallas County Tax Office is the appropriate office for questions involving:

Current or delinquent tax balances
Property tax bills and statements
Payments, receipts, and returned payments
Penalties and interest shown on an account
Partial payments and available payment arrangements
Overpayments and property tax refunds
Tax certificates, mobile home certificates, and written statements

Appraisal district matters

The appropriate appraisal district should be contacted when a property owner needs to correct or question:

The owner name shown on the account
The property’s mailing address
The appraised value or legal description
A homestead, over-65, disabled, disabled veteran, or other exemption
The removal of an exemption
An appraisal protest
A property tax deferral application

Dallas County collects taxes for properties that may be associated with several appraisal districts. The county’s appraisal district directory provides official contact information for the Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant appraisal districts.

Property Tax Account Search

The official Property Tax Lookup and Payment Application allows users to access property tax information and pay eligible balances online. The application can also provide payment information when a taxpayer needs to confirm a prior payment or obtain details for a receipt.

Before beginning a search, gather the information associated with the property tax account. The account number is generally the most direct way to identify a specific record. Property information shown in a portfolio can include the property location, certified owner, current-year amount due, and total amount due.

Multiple property accounts

Owners, businesses, and representatives who manage more than one tax account can create a portfolio within the county’s system. A portfolio groups one or more properties for easier review. This can reduce the chance of overlooking an account when managing taxes for multiple parcels, rental properties, business locations, or other taxable property.

Each account should still be reviewed individually before payment. Similar street addresses, owner names, and property descriptions can cause users to select the wrong record. Confirm the account number, certified owner, property location, tax year, and balance before submitting funds.

Missing tax statements

Tax statements are mailed in October to the address shown on the property account. A taxpayer who does not receive a statement can still look up the amount due and make a payment through the county application. Failure to receive a bill does not change the delinquency date or stop penalties and interest from being charged after the deadline.

A statement may have been sent to an old address if the appraisal district’s records were not updated. Address corrections must be requested through the appropriate appraisal district rather than the Tax Office.

When a mortgage company is expected to pay the taxes, the property owner should not assume that receipt of a statement means the lender will not pay. The statement may have been sent to the owner because the mortgage company did not request it or submitted its request too late. The owner should contact the mortgage company directly to verify whether funds will be sent.

Payment Deadlines

Property taxes are due and payable on October 1. They become delinquent when they are not paid on or before January 31. State law requires penalty and interest to be charged on balances paid after January 31.

The county’s deadlines and delinquency information also identifies important dates for appraisal protests and collection activity. The appraisal protest deadline is no later than May 15, and protests must be handled through the applicable appraisal district.

Mailed payment dates

For a payment sent through the mail, Dallas County uses the United States Postal Service postmark as the payment date. A private postage-meter date is not used for this purpose. Taxpayers mailing a payment close to the deadline should make sure the envelope receives an official postal postmark.

Include enough time for the payment to be delivered and processed. Keep a copy of the check or money order and any mailing documentation that may help establish when the payment was sent.

Accounts sent for collection

Delinquent business personal property accounts are turned over to the attorney on April 1 under state law. Other delinquent property tax accounts are turned over on July 1. Penalties, interest, and applicable collection charges may continue to increase while a balance remains unpaid.

A taxpayer who receives a delinquency notice after making a payment should provide the Tax Office with the taxpayer’s name, property address, a copy of the canceled payment check, and a copy of the delinquency notice so the transaction can be researched.

Available Payment Methods

Dallas County accepts property tax payments online, by telephone, by mail, in person, and through an arranged wire transfer. The official property tax payment methods page explains the accepted forms of payment and the processing charges that may apply.

Online payments

The online system accepts ACH electronic checks, major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo. Convenience fees are collected by the payment processor and are nonrefundable.

ACH electronic check: no fee
Credit card: 2.05% of the amount charged, with a minimum fee of $2.85
Debit card: $2.85 per transaction
Digital wallet: 2.05% of the amount charged, with a minimum fee of $2.85

A confirmation number shows that an attempt to pay was submitted. It does not by itself prove that the financial institution completed the transaction. Taxpayers should review their bank or card account to confirm that the payment cleared.

Corporate account holders may need to ask their financial institution to add Paymentus ACH Company ID 0000408976 to the account’s debit filter. They should also advise the financial institution of the expected payment amount to reduce the possibility of a rejected or delayed transaction.

Online security requirements

The payment system requires a browser that supports 128-bit encryption, permits cookies, and has JavaScript enabled. Users should log off completely after finishing a transaction. Closing the browser without signing out may leave personal information accessible to another person using the same computer.

Telephone payments

Property tax payments may be made by telephone through the county’s designated payment number. Debit or credit processing fees apply to telephone transactions. Special Inventory Tax payments follow a separate procedure and should not be submitted through the regular property tax payment number.

Payments by mail

Mail payments may be made by personal check, cashier’s check, money order, or convenience credit card check. Checks must be payable to JOHN R. AMES, CTA, TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR. The payment should include the payer’s name, phone number, and address.

The payment should also contain enough information to identify the correct property account. When paying several accounts, clearly indicate how much should be applied to each one. Do not assume that an owner name alone will be sufficient when multiple properties have similar ownership records.

In-person payments

Dallas County Tax Office locations accept cash, checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, convenience credit card checks, and major credit or debit cards. Card transactions are subject to the applicable processing fees.

Taxpayers paying in person should bring the tax statement or account number when possible. This helps staff apply the funds to the intended property and tax year.

Wire transfers

A taxpayer planning to send an ACH or wire transfer must notify the Customer Care Center of the intended transfer. The Tax Office needs the property tax account number and the amount to be applied.

Dallas County does not charge a wire-transfer fee, but the taxpayer’s financial institution may charge one. When a bank deducts its fee from the transferred amount, the taxpayer may need to increase the transfer so the full intended tax payment reaches the county.

Returned payments

A returned payment caused by insufficient funds, a stopped payment, or a closed account may result in a $30 fee. A returned item can also leave the original taxes unpaid, allowing penalties and interest to continue on any delinquent balance.

Billing and Receipts

The county’s statements, billing, and payments guidance explains how taxpayers can obtain balance information, review prior payments, request a tax statement, and address common billing questions.

Payment receipts

Payment information can be obtained through the Property Tax Lookup and Payment Application. Before relying on an online confirmation, verify that the payment was completed by the bank, card issuer, or financial institution.

When requesting research into a missing payment, retain the canceled check, bank statement, payment confirmation, property account number, and any county notice connected with the issue. These records can help distinguish between a payment that was never completed, a returned transaction, and a payment applied to the wrong account.

Incorrect owner or address

A tax bill may be issued to a former owner when appraisal records still identified that person as the owner at the time statements were printed. The appraisal district must update the ownership record.

Similarly, the appraisal district handles incorrect mailing addresses. Updating an address with the Tax Office alone does not necessarily change the appraisal record that controls where future statements are mailed.

Partial Payments

The Dallas County Tax Office accepts partial property tax payments in any amount and at any time. A partial payment reduces the unpaid balance, but it does not extend the legal deadline. After January 31, penalty and interest accrue on the remaining delinquent amount.

The payment application states that partial payments may be allocated on a proportional basis among tax, penalty, interest, and collection penalty when applicable. Partial payments on delinquent accounts are applied to the oldest tax year due first.

Taxpayers can review the county’s payment arrangement options for information about partial payments, installment plans, homestead agreements, non-homestead agreements, and deferrals.

Four-payment installment plans

Qualified homeowners with an over-65, disabled, or disabled veteran exemption may pay property taxes in four equal installments without penalty and interest when each installment is paid by its applicable due date. The first installment must be paid by January 31.

Eligibility depends on the applicable exemption being recorded on the property. Questions about adding or correcting an exemption must be directed to the appraisal district.

Homestead payment agreements

A qualified homeowner may be eligible for a Homestead Payment Agreement lasting up to 12 months after the taxes become delinquent on February 1. This option applies to properties with a homestead exemption.

The agreement does not replace the need to confirm the account balance, payment schedule, and continuing charges with the Tax Office. Taxpayers should use the county’s official contact process to ask whether their account qualifies.

Non-homestead agreements

Non-Homestead Payment Agreements are signed agreements handled through the delinquent law firm. They may be available for qualifying commercial property, business personal property, rental property, and residential property that does not have an exemption qualifying it for another plan.

Property tax deferrals

Taxpayers with a homestead exemption and an over-65, disabled, or 100% disabled veteran exemption may have the option to file a deferral through the appraisal district. A filed deferral can protect the property from legal action and reduce the rate at which penalty and interest and certain collection fees accrue.

A deferral does not eliminate the tax debt. Taxes continue to accrue and must be paid in full no later than 180 days after the property is sold or the owner dies.

Exemptions and Appraisals

The Tax Office uses appraisal information supplied by the appropriate appraisal district. It does not approve exemption applications or decide appraisal protests. Questions about the type, amount, removal, or absence of an exemption should be sent to the appraisal district.

The county’s exemptions and deferrals page directs taxpayers to their local appraisal district for exemption corrections and deferral applications.

Appraisal protest deadline

An appraisal protest must be filed no later than May 15. The protest concerns the appraisal district’s property record or valuation rather than the Tax Office’s collection of the resulting bill.

Submitting an appraisal protest does not mean a payment has been made. Taxpayers should keep appraisal proceedings and tax payments separate and follow the instructions issued by the responsible offices.

Exemption-related refunds

When an account adjustment reduces the tax liability by more than $5 after the taxes were paid, Dallas County generally issues the refund automatically to the payer who made the payment. No refund application is required for eligible refunds over $5.

Refunds are typically processed within 30 to 45 calendar days from the payment or adjustment date. A refund over $20 may require additional time because of the approval process.

Ownership and Tax Liens

Under Texas law, property taxes follow the property. A person who purchases real estate with unpaid prior taxes may encounter a balance that includes penalty and interest even if the debt arose before the purchase.

Closing documents, title-company records, and the agreement between the buyer and seller determine how taxes were allocated during a midyear sale. Taxes are commonly prorated, but the parties may use another arrangement. The Tax Office collects the amount attached to the property account and does not determine whether the buyer or seller violated a private closing agreement.

Payment does not transfer ownership

Paying property taxes on a parcel does not give the payer ownership or possession of that property. Tax payments and property ownership are separate matters.

Property tax lien removal

A property tax lien is automatically applied when the tax becomes due and is automatically removed when the property tax is paid. Aircraft accounts are an exception because the Federal Aviation Administration requires an additional form after payment.

A mortgage lien release is different from the automatic property tax lien process. When a mortgage is paid off, the mortgage company should provide a release of lien that must be filed with the County Clerk.

Certificates and Written Statements

The Dallas County Tax Office issues tax certificates, mobile home certificates, and written statements. The county’s certificate requirements page explains the purpose, cost, documentation, and payment methods for each document.

Tax certificates

A tax certificate is an official document from the Tax Assessor/Collector or a deputy showing delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and known costs or expenses due to taxing jurisdictions on a specific property. The nonrefundable fee is $10 for each certificate.

Mobile home certificates

A mobile home certificate provides official information about delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and known costs or expenses due on a mobile home. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs requires this certificate before ownership of a mobile home can be changed.

The nonrefundable fee is $10. Before the certificate can be issued, the estimated property tax for the upcoming year must be paid into escrow. The escrowed amount is applied to the tax levy when that year’s property tax becomes due.

Written statements

A written statement identifies delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and known costs or expenses associated with Dallas County property owned by a person or company. The Dallas County Sheriff Department requires a written statement before a person or company participates in the first-Tuesday tax sale of property being sold because of unpaid property taxes.

The request must include:

The requesting person’s or company’s name
The requester’s mailing address
A list of all Dallas County property currently or formerly owned by the requester
Property located wholly or partially in Dallas County
The requester’s original signature
A notary seal and original notary signature

The original signed and notarized request is required; copies are not accepted. The nonrefundable fee is $10 for each written statement, and the document remains valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.

Electronic Tax Statements

Property owners may enroll to receive property tax statements electronically. Through the county’s eStatement enrollment page, the user searches for the property, selects the blue numeric account number, opens the property page, and chooses the eStatement enrollment option.

Enrollment is available each year from November 1 through September 15. Property owners should verify that they selected the correct account before completing enrollment, particularly when a name is connected with multiple properties.

Common Payment Mistakes

Assuming confirmation means completion

An online confirmation number records an attempted payment. It does not guarantee that the bank approved the transaction or that the funds reached Dallas County. Review the financial account after submission and investigate any payment that does not clear.

Waiting for a paper bill

A missing statement does not postpone the January 31 deadline. The balance can be reviewed through the county’s property tax application even when a paper statement was lost, delayed, or mailed to an outdated address.

Contacting the wrong agency

The Tax Office handles billing and collection, while appraisal districts maintain ownership, value, address, and exemption information. A payment question sent to an appraisal district or an exemption question sent to the Tax Office may not reach the office authorized to make the requested change.

Paying the wrong account

Confirm the numeric account number, property address, certified owner, tax year, and amount due before submitting payment. This is especially important for portfolios, similarly named owners, adjacent parcels, and businesses managing multiple accounts.

Ignoring the remaining balance

A partial payment reduces the amount owed but does not stop penalty and interest from accruing on the unpaid delinquent balance. After making a partial payment, review the account again to confirm the amount still due and the tax year to which the payment was applied.

Using a meter date

For mailed payments, the county relies on the Postal Service postmark rather than a private postage-meter date. A taxpayer mailing near the deadline should obtain an official postal postmark and retain proof of mailing.

Property Tax Offices

Dallas County Tax Office — Downtown Branch
500 Elm Street, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 653-7811

Property Tax Payment Mailing Address
John R. Ames, CTA, Dallas County Tax Assessor/Collector
P.O. Box 139066, Dallas, TX 75313-9066

Dallas County Tax Office — Downtown Administration
500 Elm Street, Suite 3300, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 653-7811

Dallas County Tax Office — Special Inventory
1201 Elm Street, Suite 2600, Dallas, TX 75270
(214) 653-4451

Property Tax FAQs

How can I verify the tax rate used on my bill?

Review the account’s taxing jurisdictions, then compare them with the county’s official property tax rate schedules. Select the schedule for the tax year shown on the bill, since rates can change annually. A property may be taxed by several jurisdictions, so do not compare only one listed rate with the total amount due. Check each applicable jurisdiction, the taxable value, and the tax year before deciding that the calculation is incorrect.

Why can neighboring properties have different tax bills?

Nearby properties may have different appraised values, exemption amounts, ownership classifications, or taxing jurisdictions. City limits, school district boundaries, and special district boundaries do not always follow neighborhood or ZIP code lines. Use the official property tax account application to review the jurisdictions and account details for each property rather than assuming both parcels are taxed identically.

Can I estimate a future property tax bill?

You can create a rough estimate by multiplying the expected taxable value by the combined rates for the jurisdictions serving the property. However, the result may differ from the final bill if the certified value, exemptions, jurisdiction boundaries, or annual rates change. Confirm value and exemption information through the appropriate appraisal district listed in the county’s appraisal district directory.

Where can I check an older tax year?

Dallas County publishes past tax-rate schedules for users reviewing prior bills, real estate closing records, accounting documents, or historical payment calculations. Match the rate schedule to the exact tax year and property jurisdictions. Current rates should not be used to evaluate an older bill because taxing entities may adopt different rates from one year to the next.