Here's how it usually goes: someone moves to Texas, hears "no state income tax," and gets excited about keeping more of their paycheck. Then the property tax bill shows up — and the smile fades.

Texas property taxes are high, and that part's real. But here's the good news, and it's the whole point of this post: you have way more control over that bill than most people realize. Most folks just pay it and never touch the tools sitting right there to lower it.

So let's cover why Texas property taxes are so high — then 5 totally legit ways to pay less.

Why Are Texas Property Taxes So High?

It comes down to one thing: Texas has no state income tax. That's great — but the state still has to fund schools, roads, police, and fire. So instead of taking it out of your paycheck, Texas leans heavily on property taxes, especially to pay for schools. Add in home values that have climbed hard over the last few years, and your appraised value — and your tax bill — climbs right along with it.

Now, the part you came for: how to pay less.

1. File Your Homestead Exemption (Now $140,000!)

If you do nothing else, do this. If the home is your primary residence, the homestead exemption chops a big chunk right off the taxable value before your school taxes are calculated — and Texas just made it bigger. The school district homestead exemption is now $140,000 knocked off the value they tax you on, every single year.

And you'd be shocked how many people never file it — they buy a house, get busy, and forget. It's free, you file it once with your county appraisal district, and it's the easiest money you'll ever save. Go check today.

2. Over 65? This One's Huge

If you (or your parents) are 65 or older, there's more. On top of the homestead exemption, homeowners 65+ get an additional $60,000 off their school taxes. And here's the game-changer: the year you turn 65, your school district taxes essentially freeze at that amount — so even as values climb around you, that big piece of your bill stops running up. If a parent hasn't set this up, help them do it.

3. Protest Your Appraisal (The One Nobody Uses)

This is the big one. Once a year, your county tells you what they think your home is worth, and that number drives your tax bill. Most people assume it's final. It isn't — you can push back.

Depending on the county, roughly 60–80% of people who protest get a reduction. It's free to file, there's basically no downside, and the worst case is they say no. The best evidence is simple: recent sales of similar homes that sold for less, or showing your home is appraised higher than comparable houses nearby. You can hire a service or do it yourself — the only real mistake is doing nothing.

4. Don't Miss the Deadline

You generally have to file your protest by May 15, or within 30 days of getting your appraisal notice — whichever is later. The date on your notice is the one that counts, so watch for it in the spring. Miss the window and you're waiting a full year. Tip: you don't even have to wait for the mailed notice — you can usually pull your value right off your county appraisal district's website.

5. Check for Every Other Exemption

Don't stop at the homestead. There are exemptions for disabled homeowners, disabled veterans, surviving spouses of veterans and first responders, and more — plus local add-ons that vary by county. Hop on your county appraisal district's site and look at the full list. You might qualify for something you didn't know existed.

The Bottom Line

Texas property taxes are high — but you're not powerless. File your homestead, grab every exemption you qualify for, protest your appraisal every year, and hit your deadlines. Do those things and you could save hundreds, even thousands, a year. That's your money, staying in your pocket.

(I'm a Realtor, not a tax advisor — for your exact situation, confirm with your county appraisal district or a tax professional.)

Buying or Selling in DFW? Let's Plan for It

If you're thinking about buying or selling, this is exactly the kind of thing I help you plan for, so there are no surprises. I'll walk you through all of it — and if you're curious what your home is worth today, I'll put that together for you, no pressure and free.

🏡 Free home value + buy/sell game plan: 817-856-0599 📅 Book a call: https://bit.ly/44wojfM 🌐 HomeforSaleDFW.com ▶️ Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGBMTm45hg

Mark Hewitt leads Hewitt Group, a North Texas real estate team that has helped families buy and sell across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Hewitt Group, a team at Real Broker, LLC. TREC #0640931.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not tax or legal advice. Exemption amounts and deadlines vary by county and change over time. Confirm current specifics with your county appraisal district or a tax professional.

FAQ

Why are Texas property taxes so high? Texas has no state income tax, so it relies heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, and local services — especially public schools. Combined with rising home values, that pushes property tax bills higher. The tradeoff for no income tax is a heavier property tax load.

How much is the Texas homestead exemption? As of 2025–2026, the school district homestead exemption is $140,000 off your home's taxable value for your primary residence (raised from $100,000). Homeowners 65 and older receive an additional $60,000 off school taxes. County and city exemptions vary, so check your county appraisal district for local amounts.

How do I lower my Texas property taxes? File your homestead exemption, claim any additional exemptions you qualify for (over-65, disabled, veteran), and protest your appraised value — which a majority of protesters succeed at. Also watch your deadlines so you don't miss your chance to protest for the year.

How do I protest my property taxes in Texas? File a Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) with your county appraisal district by May 15, or within 30 days of your appraisal notice, whichever is later. It's free. You argue your value is above market or unequal compared to similar homes, using recent comparable sales as evidence. Roughly 60–80% of protests result in some reduction.

What is the over-65 property tax freeze in Texas? The year a homeowner turns 65, their school district property taxes are frozen (a tax ceiling) at that year's amount for their homestead. Even if the home's value rises later, the school-tax portion generally won't increase above that ceiling, which can save seniors significant money over time.

When is the Texas property tax protest deadline? Generally May 15, or 30 days after you receive your appraisal notice — whichever is later. The exact date on your notice controls, and deadlines can vary slightly by county, so confirm with your county appraisal district.