Owning a property in McLennan County means paying property taxes each year, just as it is in every county of Texas. However, understanding the value assessment procedure, knowing the payment deadlines, and applying for exemptions for which you apply can help you reduce your annual tax burden. Learn more about the property tax deadlines, process, exemptions, and how to save taxes.
Key Property Tax Deadlines in Mclennan County
- Important Tax Payment Dates
- November 30, 2023 - Initial half-payment deadline for 2023.
- January 31, 2024 - Final day for settling 2023 tax dues without added charges. (If there is a pending lawsuit from previous years, legal fees are appended to the 2023 tax statement on February 1, 2024.)
- March 31, 2024 - Last day to settle 2023 commercial personal property taxes before incurring legal charges.
- May 15, 2024 - Last day to property tax protests with Travis Central appraised district. You can file your protest online.
- June 30, 2024 - Deadline for second half payment. The last opportunity to arrange payments for overdue 2023 taxes to circumvent legal charges is July 2, 2024.
Note: If the date falls on a weekend, it extends to the subsequent working day.
- Quarterly Payment Schedule
- Initial Payment by: January 31, 2024;
- Second Payment by: March 31, 2024;
- Third Payment by: May 31, 2024;
- Fourth Payment by: July 31, 2024.
Note: In case the date falls on a weekend, it’s extended to the immediate next working day.
- Quarterly Installments:
- A delay in any quarterly installment results in an initial 6% charge for the first month, coupled with 1% monthly interest until the balance is cleared.
- Remember, participation in the Quarterly Installment Plan in February comes with an added 7% charge.
Source: McLennan County Tax Office Website
Property Tax Procedures in McLennan County
- Assessment: The value of every property in the county will be evaluated no less than once every three years, or each year as the market dictates. The value the McLennan County Appraisal District appraiser arrives at is based on comparable sales, income, and/or cost data, as well as location and the condition of the property.
- Notification: Tax bills will begin to arrive by mail in October or November; if you do not receive a notice, you are still responsible for paying by the deadline. You may contact the McLennan County Appraisal District to request that another bill be sent.
- Payment: According to state law, property tax payments are due no later than January 31stcan, unless that date falls on a weekend or a holiday, in which case the deadline is the first business day in February. You may pay your property taxes online via credit card or by e-check.
- Delinquency: Failure to pay your complete property tax bill by January 31st will result in a penalty of 6% and a 1% interest fee on the outstanding balance. Partial payments are allowed and encouraged, as this will reduce the outstanding total on which the penalties are based.
Homestead Exemptions in McLennan County
- Introduction & Benefits: A general homestead exemption is available in McLennan County, and it can save a significant amount on your annual tax burden should you qualify. The county also offers exemptions for seniors and surviving spouses, disabled persons, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. Learn more about the available exemptions here.
- Qualification Criteria: To qualify for a homestead exemption, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1st of the tax year. The property must be less than 20 acres and must be your sole homestead, both inside and outside the state of Texas.
- Application Process: You may acquire a homestead application directly from the McLennan County Appraisal District Customer Service department, or you can call to request an application be sent to you. You may also apply online here.
Tips for McLennan County Homeowners
- Maximizing Savings: There may be instances where you disagree with the value assessment of your property, in which case filing a protest is well within your rights. Additionally, you should take advantage of all possible exemptions to lower your home's overall taxable value.
- Staying Informed: The McLennan County Appraisal District website is an informative source for updated tax policies, or you can subscribe to the McLennan County newsletter to stay in the loop.
- Seeking Assistance: You may speak to tax professionals at any of the McLennan County tax offices or the McLennan County Appraisal District, depending on your question. Also, you may want to seek out the help of tax professionals, like Bezit, to help you navigate the exemption application or appeals processes.
McLennan County Property Tax FAQ
- What is property tax in McLennan County?
- Property tax is an annual levy on all property within McLennan County. The collected taxes are used for the provision of public services in the county and local taxing districts, including public schools, emergency services, and infrastructural needs.
- How is my property assessed for tax purposes in McLennan County?
- An appraiser from the McLennan County Appraisal District will assess your property every 1-3 years and will reach a valuation based on location, condition of the property, comparable sales values, income and/or other cost data.
- Where can I find what I owe in property taxes online?
- You will receive a tax bill in the mail at the respective property in October or November. If you do not receive a notification in the mail, you may contact the McLennan County Tax office to request another copy. You can also check the status and total of your property tax online, or obtain the information from a professional tax service.
- How do homestead exemptions work in McLennan County?
- You may apply for a homestead exemption in McLennan County in order to reduce the taxable value of your property by up to 20%. Other exemptions for even higher percentages of tax reduction also exist for seniors, disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and more.
- Who qualifies for a homestead exemption in McLennan County?
- You must own and occupy your property as your primary residence, and may only claim one property for a homestead exemption. These exemptions apply to properties less than 20 acres, and they must be occupied as of January 1 of the relevant tax year.
- How do I apply for a homestead exemption in McLennan County?
- You may obtain an application directly from the McLennan County Appraisal District, request for one to be mailed to you, or apply online.
- How much does it cost to apply for a homestead exemption in McLennan County?
- There is no charge for a general homestead exemption application.
- If my house is valued at $500K in McLennan County, how much would a homestead exemption save on property taxes?
- General homestead exemptions can reduce the taxable value of a home in Texas by up to 20%, which would be a drop of $100K on a $500K home!
- Where can I learn more or get help with my property taxes in McLennan County?
- The McLennan County tax office is always available for specific property tax-related questions, as are the professionals at the McLennan County Appraisal District. You can also seek out professional tax services from Bezit, particularly if you want assistance in exemption applications or value assessment protests.