While property taxes were paid at the end of January in Texas, there are still many important dates that Texas homeowners and businesses should be aware of. Missing deadlines is one of the most common mistakes a property owner can make, and these cutoff dates often pass with little or no fanfare. In some cases, missing a deadline could lead to late fees, interest, or fines. Other types of missed deadlines could mean that a taxpayer is forced to forfeit a right entirely, possibly costing money later in the year or even the next one. In this article, we will cover the most important dates for property owners so that you can be prepared for each one.
What if a Deadline is on a Weekend or a Holiday?
Before we get into the various deadlines, one of the most common questions we get from clients is what happens if a deadline’s usual date happens to be on a weekend or holiday. Generally, that deadline will be pushed back to the next working day.
Property Taxes Due January 31
Most homeowners are already very familiar with this date, as it marks the final day to pay their biggest bill on time. There is no margin for error, because taxes become delinquent on February 1. This usually means that midnight of February 1 will officially see taxes become delinquent, but as noted above, this date can change due to being on a weekend. Unlike most other deadlines, taxes can still be paid late, but increased costs begin at the stroke of midnight. These additional costs, fees, and penalties will add up quickly, only growing with each passing month.
Penalties and interest accrue at a set rate depending on the month:
- February 1 (or the day after the deadline): 6%, 1% interest, with penalties growing 1% every month.
- July: Penalties jump to 12%, while interest starts growing at 1% per month. In addition, delinquent taxes are sent to a law firm for collection, which results in additional fees being added to the bill.
Notice of Appraised Value Mailed in Late March and Early April
While it may seem like an opportune time to rest easy after paying your property taxes, the appraisal cycle for homes and businesses is just beginning. Once your CAD is done reassessing all properties in the county, a notice of appraised value will be sent out. This document informs you of your property’s legal details and is one of the most important documents you will receive, as it will show your current property values. Depending on your county, it may show two or three values. Market value is what your CAD believes a property would go for on the open market. Appraised value is the market value that has been restrained by legal requirements, statutes, and caps. Finally, the taxable value is the appraised figure minus any exemptions and is the value that tax rates will be applied to, so a bill can be created.
Many homeowners or businesses will simply look at the value numbers without checking the rest of the notice. This is another common mistake, as the notice contains a lot of key information. This includes the basic statistics of the property, like size, owner’s name, classification, and what exemptions are currently applied. It will also have the deadline for property tax appeals. If you feel the values are too high or unfair, then you will want to consider a property tax appeal before that date passes. Likewise, any errors in the appraisal, such as incorrect size, owner, or exemptions, can be appealed.
April 15: The Last Day for Business Personal Property Renditions
Possibly the most important date if you own a business, April 15 is the deadline to file your business personal property (BPP) rendition. This is a breakdown of all tangible personal property that your business owns. It includes inventory, furniture, machinery, computers, and any other physical asset. Intangible assets, like software or contracts, should be excluded. An accurate accounting of these assets must be done and filed to prevent fines and the potential loss of the ability to launch a commercial property tax appeal.
2025 saw another reason to file on time. Thanks to an overhaul of the BPP exemption, businesses can now remove up to $125,000 from their taxable value with qualifying BPP. This is a massive increase over the previous $2,500. If you have less BPP than the new cap, then you can simply send in a statement without a full BPP rendition. However, if you miss the deadline, then you forfeit this new exemption for a year, inviting a heavy increase in taxes.
Exemptions Should be Filed Between January 1 and April 30
The bedrock of tax reduction, exemptions, are the easiest way to lower taxable value in Texas. This has been enhanced even further thanks to 2025 legislation, which saw the homestead exemption increase to $140,000 from $100,000, while the over-65 and disabled persons exemption was increased to $60,000. These are specifically used to lower school taxes, the largest type of property tax. Exemptions should be filed between January 1 and April 30, as it allows the exemption to be applied for the current tax year. If the April 30 date is missed, some exemptions, such as the homestead, can be retroactively applied up to two years in the past.
The Final Day for Property Tax Appeals is May 15
Outside of exemptions, the only other way to reduce taxable value is to use property tax appeals. These can fix clerical issues, such as incorrect square footage, or be used to challenge inaccurate or unequal appraisals. They can also be used in tandem with exemptions to lower values and taxes even further. Due to rising values and taxes, the use of these protests has been rising considerably every year, with some counties, like Travis or Fort Bend, seeing over one-third of all properties protested.
The deadline for appeals is a final one, however, so a protest must be filed by the cutoff date. May 15 is the typical final day for appeals in Texas, but it can be extended by the county. In addition to if it falls on a weekend, taxpayers may have other options. Appeals are due on the deadline or 30 days after the notice of appraised value was mailed, whichever is later. So, if you receive your notice late in April, you will have more time to gather evidence and file your appeal.
Corrections of the Appraisal Roll Available Between July and December
A somewhat obscure law, corrections of the appraisal roll are used to fix blatant appraisal errors. This includes clerical errors, nonexistent property, multiple assessments of the same property, and retroactive application of exemptions. Corrections are available starting in July and can be filed at any point before December 31. These can fix errors up to five years in the past, so it is best to file as soon as an error is discovered.
O’Connor is Here to Assist Taxpayers in Finding a Reduction
If you own a home or business in Texas, there are several deadlines and dates that you need to track to stay current on taxes, values, and more. We at O’Connor are here to help you navigate these issues while also getting you a reduction on your taxes. When you sign up with O’Connor, we will analyze your appraisal for any errors and will protest your taxable value. We will do so every year, ensuring that you do not have to worry about missing the protest deadline. We can also help with exemptions, corrections of the appraisal roll, and more. In addition, businesses can use our services for BPP rendition support or cost segregation, in addition to traditional commercial property appeals.
When you join O’Connor, you are given a client success consultant. These consultants will act as your consistent advocate with the firm and will remain your guide and point of contact through the entire process. This means you always have the same person to reach throughout the entire process, rather than a chatbot or an anonymous email. For many clients, we also offer a concierge program that will come out to your home or business to gain a true understanding of your property. There is no cost to appeal with O’Connor, and you will only be charged a part of your savings if we can lower your taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deadlines
- When do property taxes in Texas become delinquent?
At midnight following the deadline. This is when penalties and interest first start to accrue.
- Do deadlines change if they are on a weekend?
Yes, if a deadline happens to be on a weekend or holiday, it is moved to the next workday.
- Which deadline is the most important?
The appeal deadline is usually the most important, as it is the last shot to lower taxes through cutting the taxable value. The BPP rendition deadline is also key for businesses, as failure to file on time could cost you your exemption.
- When is the property tax appeal deadline in Texas?
May 15 or 30 days after the notice of appraised value was sent, whichever is later.
