Who Does What: Assessors and Appraisal Districts in Texas

Texas divides property tax work between two county-level offices, and knowing which one you need saves a wasted trip. Each of the state's 254 counties has an elected tax assessor-collector who sends out tax bills, collects payments and, in most counties, registers vehicles. A separate county appraisal district decides what your property is worth. The assessor offices in our directory belong to the first group: the people who bill and collect.

The rules come from the Texas Constitution and the Texas Property Tax Code. Chapter 6 of the code creates one appraisal district in every county, run by a board of directors and a chief appraiser the board hires. Appraisers value property as of January 1 each year. The tax assessor-collector then applies the rates adopted by the county, city, school district and other taxing units, and produces the bill.

Statewide oversight is light. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, through its Property Tax Assistance Division, reviews appraisal districts and publishes guidance for taxpayers. The Comptroller does not set your value or take your payment. For vehicle titles and registration, the county office acts as an agent of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), which sets the forms and the statewide fee schedule.

Many assessor-collectors carry a third duty. In counties without a separate elections administrator, the assessor-collector is also the voter registrar. Because duties vary by county, an office listed as Assessor in our directory may be signed as the Tax Office on the courthouse door. Call before you go, and ask which services that location handles.

Big-City Branches and Rural Courthouses: Regional Differences in Texas

Metro counties spread assessor services across several branches. Dallas County has seven listings in our database, including the Oak Cliff Assessor at 408 South Beckley Avenue in Dallas (214-653-7811). Tarrant County lists its main office at 6713 Telephone Road in Fort Worth (817-238-4435) and an Arlington office at 724 East Border Street (817-548-3935). The Bexar County office sits at 233 N Pecos La Trinidad in San Antonio (210-335-6585), and Travis County's is at 5501 Airport Boulevard in Austin (512-854-9473).

Branches shorten the drive in counties that cover hundreds of square miles, but not every branch offers every service. Some handle only vehicle work, while the main office takes property tax payments and special requests. Lines grow at the end of the month, when registrations expire, and again in January, when property taxes come due. Mid-morning on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday is often calmer.

Rural Texas looks different. Most of the 252 counties in our database have a single office in the county seat, often inside or beside the courthouse. Shackelford County's is at 225 North Main Street in Albany (325-762-2232). Jones County's is at Courthouse Square in Anson (325-823-2437), and Stonewall County's is at 510 South Washington in Aspermont (940-989-2633). Brewster County, the largest county in Texas by area, has its office at 107 West Avenue A in Alpine (432-837-2214). Ranch families there may drive a long way to reach it, so a phone call first is worth the time.

Mid-sized cities fall in between. Lubbock County's office is at 916 Main Street (806-775-1344). Potter County's is at 900 South Polk Street in Amarillo (806-342-2630), and Taylor County's is at 400 Oak Street in Abilene (325-674-1224). El Paso County's office is at 4641 Cohen Avenue (915-755-3535). In the Hill Country, the Boerne Assessor at 402 East Blanco Road (830-249-9511) is in Kendall County, and Comal County's office is at 205 North Seguin Avenue in New Braunfels (830-221-1353).

The Texas Property Tax Calendar: Dates That Matter

Texas property taxes follow a fixed yearly cycle. Missing one date can cost you money, so mark these on a calendar.

Notice who handles each step. Value disputes, exemptions and ownership corrections go to the appraisal district. Payment questions, receipts, payment arrangements and tax certificates go to the assessor-collector. Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who have a disability, may qualify for special payment options and school tax limits. Ask the appraisal district to confirm eligibility, then ask the assessor-collector how installments are handled.

What to Bring to a Texas Assessor-Collector Office

Bring a photo ID for any visit. For property taxes, bring your bill, your account number or the property address. If you are paying for someone else, carry the account number so the clerk can find the right parcel quickly. Mortgage companies often pay through escrow, so confirm with your lender before paying a second time.

For a vehicle registration renewal, bring proof of current liability insurance and your renewal notice or license plate number. For a title transfer after a private sale, bring the signed title and Form 130-U, the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration, signed by both seller and buyer. Expect to pay the 6.25 percent motor vehicle sales tax on the purchase price, plus title and registration fees. Fees can change, so confirm the total by phone or on your county's website before you leave home.

Payment methods differ. Large offices usually take cards, often with a convenience fee, and many offer online payment. Smaller courthouse offices may prefer checks or cash, and some close for lunch. A two-minute call to the number listed on the office page avoids a second trip.

Property assessor offices in Texas operate under state property tax statutes that specify how properties must be valued, how often reappraisals occur, and what exemptions are available to qualifying homeowners. The state department of revenue or taxation typically provides oversight and technical guidance to county assessors to ensure consistent valuation practices statewide.

Assessor locations are available in 283 cities across Texas. They are spread across 252 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include San Antonio, Fort Worth, Boerne, where high real estate activity and complex commercial properties create greater demand for assessor services and property valuation resources.

Property owners in Texas should verify that their primary residence homestead exemption is active and confirm the annual appeal deadline with their local assessor office, as missing the deadline means waiting until the following tax year to contest a valuation.

Assessor by Counties

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z

Many county assessor offices in Texas now offer online property search tools where homeowners can view their assessed value, recent sales history, and exemption status without visiting the office. If you have questions about a recent reassessment notice, calling or emailing the assessor's office is often the fastest way to get a response before filing a formal appeal.

Browse Assessor by county across Texas to find the nearest location.

Choosing the Right Texas Assessor Office for Your Errand

Start with the county that matches your errand. Property tax follows the land, so you deal with the county where the property sits. Vehicle registration follows the owner's home address. If you live in one county but own a ranch in another, you will deal with two offices, such as Bandera County's at 403 12th Street in Bandera (830-796-3731).

Next, think about size. In counties with many offices, such as Harris County and Cameron County, look up the branch nearest you and call to confirm it handles your task. In smaller counties, the courthouse office is the whole operation. Examples from our listings include Brazoria County at 451 North Velasco Street in Angleton (979-864-1134), Chambers County at 405 South Main Street in Anahuac (409-267-2742), Grimes County at 114 West Buffington Avenue in Anderson (936-873-4465) and Henderson County at 125 North Prairieville Street in Athens (903-675-6134).

Finally, plan the visit. Write down your account number or plate number, bring photo ID and check the hours. Callahan County (101 East 4th Street, Baird, 325-854-5820) and Runnels County (201 South Broadway Street, Ballinger, 325-365-2339) are typical of the small-town courthouse offices across central and west Texas.

Be cautious about paid services. Filing a homestead exemption is free, and so is protesting your own appraisal. Some companies charge a flat fee or a share of the savings. That can be a fair deal for owners of complex commercial property, but most homeowners can handle the paperwork themselves.

Texas Assessor Questions Answered

No. They are separate offices with separate jobs. The county appraisal district, created under Chapter 6 of the Texas Property Tax Code, appraises every property in the county as of January 1 and administers exemptions such as the homestead exemption. The tax assessor-collector takes the values the district certifies, applies the rates set by each taxing unit, mails the bills and collects the money. If you disagree with your value, contact the appraisal district. If you need a receipt, a payment arrangement or a tax certificate, contact the assessor-collector. Some counties house both offices in the same building, which adds to the confusion.

File a notice of protest with your county appraisal district, not with the assessor-collector. The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the district delivered your appraisal notice, whichever is later. Many districts accept protests online. You can usually try an informal meeting with an appraiser first. If that fails, you get a hearing before the appraisal review board, a panel of local residents separate from the district's appraisal staff. Bring evidence such as recent sales of similar homes, repair estimates, photos of damage or an independent appraisal. If you still disagree, you may appeal to district court or, in some cases, binding arbitration. Filing a protest costs nothing.

Bills usually arrive in October, and the tax becomes delinquent if it is not paid by January 31. Starting February 1, penalty and interest are added and grow each month the balance stays unpaid. If the account is still delinquent in July, collection costs can be added, and the taxing units may pursue legal action. Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who have a disability, may be allowed to pay in installments without penalty, and some counties offer payment plans for delinquent accounts. Call your county assessor-collector before the deadline, because an arrangement made early costs far less than a lawsuit later. Each office page in our directory lists a phone number.

Apply through your county appraisal district, because the assessor-collector does not grant exemptions. You file the residence homestead exemption application, commonly Form 50-114, along with a copy of your Texas driver's license or state ID showing the property address. The general deadline is April 30 of the tax year, though late applications are accepted for a limited time after the delinquency date. Most owners file once, and the exemption continues until something changes. After the first year, a homestead also carries a cap limiting the yearly increase in appraised value to 10 percent. Filing is free, so be wary of companies that charge a fee to submit the short form.

Bring proof of current liability insurance, a photo ID and your renewal notice if you have one. New residents and buyers should also bring the title or out-of-state registration, and buyers need a completed Form 130-U. You will pay the state registration fee, local county fees and, on a purchase, the 6.25 percent motor vehicle sales tax. Accepted payment types vary by office, so call first. Bexar County is at 210-335-6585 and Tarrant County at 817-238-4435. TxDMV also offers online renewal, which skips the trip entirely when your record is clear and your insurance is on file.

It depends on the county's size. Of the 292 listings in our database, Dallas County has seven, Tarrant, Harris and Cameron counties have five each, and many rural counties have just one. When a county has branches, pick the one closest to home or work, but confirm it handles your task. Some branches do vehicle transactions only, while property tax accounts may require the main office. Check hours too, since small courthouse offices sometimes close at midday. Our county pages for Harris County and Cameron County show each office's address and phone number side by side.