Texas Property Tax Estimator
All 254 counties. Each taxing unit is calculated on its own.
Loading taxing units for Harris County.
Lowers the value before exemptions. It is not a protest result.
Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Tax Rates and Levies, tax year 2025, latest Comptroller file, posted January 2026. Local exemptions are not included unless you enter them, last checked 2026-10-07. All data sources
What You Need to Know (TL;DR)
The statewide school homestead exemption is $140,000, and it applies to school district taxes only. Filing is optional. On the 2025 Houston ISD rate it is about $1,230 a year. A $400,000 Sugar Land homestead in the 2025 core units is about $5,326 in tax, with about $2,025 of homestead savings. File with the appraisal district by April 30 to have it on the next bill.
How Harris County Property Taxes Are Calculated
Because Texas has no state income tax, local jurisdictions rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, police, and infrastructure. In Houston, your total tax bill is a combination of several different taxing entities:
- School Districts: Usually the largest portion of your bill (e.g., Houston ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD).
- Harris County: Funds county-level services and the hospital district.
- City of Houston: Funds municipal services.
- MUDs or LIDs: Municipal Utility Districts or Levee Improvement Districts (very common in suburbs).
The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) determines the market value of your home every year. A combined bill is not simply (Assessed Value − Exemptions) × Tax Rate. The $140,000 homestead exemption comes off the value taxed by the school district only. County, city, and MUD taxes are still calculated on the full assessed value unless that entity offers its own exemption.
Impact of the $140k Texas Homestead Exemption
Passed by Texas voters, the general residence homestead exemption removes $140,000 from your home's value before school district taxes are calculated. It does not reduce county, city, or MUD taxes.
Sugar Land example, tax year 2025:
- Home value: $400,000, general homestead, under 65, no MUD
- Units: Fort Bend ISD, City of Sugar Land, Fort Bend County general fund, drainage district
- Estimated tax: $5,326
- Homestead savings: $2,025
Filing is optional, and it is strongly recommended. Be sure to check out our complete guide to Texas property tax exemptions to see if you qualify for the Over-65 or Disabled Veteran exemptions, which provide even larger tax breaks.
How to Lower Your Houston Tax Bill (HCAD Protest Tips)
Filing your exemption is optional and strongly recommended. Protesting the assessed value is also optional, and worth doing when the appraisal looks high.
1. Gather Evidence
Take photos of needed repairs (cracked foundation, old roof) and gather quotes from contractors to prove your home is worth less than HCAD claims.
2. Hire a Firm
Most Texas property tax protest firms work on contingency—they only take a cut if they save you money. Learn more in our DIY vs Hiring a Firm comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the average property tax rate in Houston?
This dataset does not include an average effective rate. A $400,000 City of Houston homestead in Houston ISD, using the 2025 core units and leaving out Houston City College, is about $5,958. A MUD is extra. Most MUDs are not in the dataset.
How much does the homestead exemption save in Harris County?
The $140,000 general residence homestead exemption applies to school district taxes only. On the 2025 Houston ISD rate, that is about $1,230 a year. Local exemptions are separate.
When are Houston property taxes due?
In Houston and across Texas, property tax bills are usually mailed out in October or November. They are due by January 31st of the following year. If unpaid, they become delinquent on February 1st and start accruing severe penalties and interest.
Does this calculator work for surrounding counties?
Yes. All 254 Texas counties are in the calculator. Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston prefer county tax office rates. Other counties, including Waller, use the Comptroller tax year 2025 file posted January 2026. Local exemptions outside those five counties are not included unless you enter them. A reported 0 is shown as unavailable rather than as a 0% rate.