How Property Taxes Work in Harris County | Community Exchange
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How Property Taxes Work in Harris County
Your tax bill has 5 to 7 line items and you can fight every one of them. Here's how property taxes actually work, who sets your value, and how to protest.
Your Harris County property tax bill is not one tax. It's 5 to 7 separate taxes from different government entities -- city, county, school district, community college, hospital district, port authority, and sometimes a MUD or TIRZ. The Harris County Appraisal District sets your assessed value every January. If you think it's too high, you have until May 15 to protest. Most people who protest get a reduction. This guide walks through every line item on your bill, the homestead exemption that saves you $100,000 off school taxes, over-65 and disability freezes, and a step-by-step protest process from informal hearing to binding arbitration.
Your Harris County property tax bill has 5 to 7 line items from different taxing entities. HCAD sets your assessed value annually. This guide explains every line item, the homestead exemption ($100,000 off school taxes), over-65 freezes, and the protest process from informal hearing through binding arbitration. Deadline: May 15.
