Austin Travis County Property Tax: Lookup, Pay & Calculate Online
Trying to pay, look up, calculate, or protest an Austin Travis County property tax bill? Start with the right office: the Travis County Tax Office handles bills, payments, receipts, delinquency and payment plans; Travis Central Appraisal District handles market value, exemptions, appraisal records and protests.
What Austin property owners usually need first
Use this action board before scrolling. It separates payment issues from appraisal issues so users do not waste time at the wrong office.
Fast action board
- 1Need balance, receipt or tax statement? Use Travis County Tax Office account search. It shows paid status, balances, current/prior statements, receipts, eBill, address change and payment plan options.
- 2Ready to pay online? Search your account, add it to cart, view cart, select payment type, then complete checkout through the authorized processor.
- 3Trying to lower a high bill? First check TCAD market value, taxable value, exemptions and protest deadline. The Tax Office collects; TCAD controls the appraisal record.
- 4Mortgage company should pay? Still verify Tax Office paid status before Jan. 31. Escrow mistakes can become your penalty problem.
- 5Need IRS receipt? Travis County highlights Dec. 31 for year-end receipt timing and recommends eCheck for immediate emailed receipt.
Open the right official page
TCAD sets value
Market value, appraised value, exemptions and taxable value start with TCAD.
Taxing units set rates
City, county, school, college, health and special districts adopt rates.
Tax Office bills
Travis County Tax Office calculates, collects and posts payments.
You verify/pay
Check account, tax year, balance, receipt, escrow and penalty status.
How to look up an Austin Travis County property tax bill
Use Tax Office search for the payable bill. Use TCAD search for appraisal records, exemptions, property details and protest evidence.
| Search Need | Use This Office | What You Can Find |
|---|---|---|
| Tax balance / paid status | Travis County Tax Office | Balance due, paid status, receipts, statements, online payment, payment plan options. |
| Current/prior tax statements | Travis County Tax Office | Original, current and previous year tax statements. |
| Market value / property record | Travis CAD | Market value, account record, property characteristics, exemptions and ownership details. |
| Address spelling problem | TCAD first, then Tax Office | Official property address format and account details. |
1
Open the Travis County Tax Office account search
Use this for balances, receipts and payable bills.
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Go to the official Tax Office account search. The official page says it can show whether taxes are paid or due, current/prior statements, eBill signup, address change, payment options, receipts and payment plan enrollment.
2
Search by the strongest detail first
Account number beats address guessing.
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Use account number, owner name, street address or the six-digit billing number shown on your tax bill. If address search fails, remove punctuation, shorten the street name or confirm the official address on TCAD property search.
3
Match tax year, account and owner before paying
Avoid wrong-property or wrong-year payments.
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Before payment, match account number, owner name, property address, tax year, amount due, penalty status and all taxing units. Save or print the statement if you need it for escrow, refinancing, sale or tax records.
How to pay Austin Travis County property taxes online
Travis County’s online process is clear: search account, add to cart, view cart, select payment type, then checkout through Government Payments – EZNETPAY.
eCheck
Official Tax Office page says eCheck must be from a U.S. bank account and costs $1. Best low-fee option for many owners.
Credit / debit card
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are listed. Card fee is $3 under $100 or 3% over $100.
PayPal / PayPal Credit
PayPal payment is listed with the same $3 under $100 or 3% over $100 fee. PayPal Credit may offer financing to qualified owners.
1
Go to the Tax Office shopping cart route
Use the official page before entering payment details.
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Start from the official online payment instructions. Then search your account using name, street address, account number or the six-digit billing number from your bill.
2
Add the correct account to cart
Review before checkout.
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Click “Add to Cart,” then “View Cart.” Confirm the property, account, tax year, balance, penalty, owner and payment amount. This is especially important for escrow accounts, partial payments or delinquent balances.
3
Choose payment type and review fees
Fees differ by method.
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Select eCheck, credit/debit card, PayPal or PayPal Credit. Review the processor fee before final submission. The Tax Office notes banks may decline large online payments due to daily limits or security rules.
4
Save the emailed receipt immediately
Useful for IRS, escrow, sale and payment disputes.
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The online payment page says you immediately receive an emailed receipt. Save the email, confirmation number, amount, date, account number and tax year. For IRS year-end timing, Travis County recommends paying by Dec. 31 if you need a receipt before year-end.
| Payment Route | Official Detail | Best User Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Online | eCheck, card, PayPal, PayPal Credit | Payments by 11:59 p.m. CST on Jan. 31 are considered timely. |
| In person | 2433 Ridgepoint Dr., Austin, TX 78754 | Walk-ins welcome Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; card fee applies. |
| Drop box | Available at all Tax Office locations | Do not place cash or card information in drop box. |
| Make checks/money orders payable to Travis County Tax Office | Allow delivery time; do not wait until Jan. 31 if mailing. | |
| Phone | Tax Office phone route available | Have account, amount, tax year and payment method ready. |
Austin Travis County property tax due dates and penalty timing
These dates answer the most common deadline questions. Always check the current Tax Office page if a date falls on a weekend or holiday.
| Date / Timing | Official Meaning | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | Appraisal district determines market value as of Jan. 1; tax lien attaches to secure payment. | Keep photos, repair records and property evidence for future value review. |
| Fall bill season | Tax bills are usually available after values and rates are certified/adopted. | Look up your bill online instead of waiting for mail if you are close to deadline. |
| Dec. 31 | Important if you need year-end receipt for federal income tax records. | Use eCheck for immediate emailed receipt if year-end proof matters. |
| Jan. 31 | Common deadline to pay without penalty and interest. | Online payments by 11:59 p.m. CST Jan. 31 are timely. |
| After deadline | Penalty and interest start after the deadline and increase monthly. | Get current payoff from Tax Office before paying late. |
| Protest deadline | TCAD says May 15 or 30 days after notice is mailed, whichever is later. | File protest with evidence before the deadline. |
How to calculate Austin Travis County property tax
Do not use only the City of Austin rate. Your total bill depends on the taxable value and every taxing unit assigned to your property.
Simple Austin Travis County tax estimate
Estimated tax = taxable value × combined tax rates + any penalties, interest or fees.
Market value
TCAD says market value is based on what the property would sell for as of Jan. 1.
Net appraised value
TCAD describes this as reduced value based on limits from homestead or circuit breaker limitations.
Taxable value
TCAD says taxable value is net appraised value minus exemption amounts and is used to calculate taxes for each taxing unit.
| Bill Factor | What It Means | Who Handles It |
|---|---|---|
| Market value | TCAD’s Jan. 1 value opinion | Travis CAD |
| Exemptions | Homestead, over-65, disabled person, disabled veteran, surviving spouse and other possible exemptions | Travis CAD |
| Tax rates | Rates adopted by city, county, school district, college, health district and special districts | Taxing units |
| Balance / receipt | What is owed, paid or delinquent | Travis County Tax Office |
| Penalty / interest | Late charges after deadline | Travis County Tax Office |
Homestead exemption, protest and high-bill help through TCAD
If the bill feels too high, identify the cause: missing exemption, higher market value, tax rate change, escrow issue or delinquency. TCAD handles value/exemption issues; the Tax Office handles collection.
Homestead exemption
TCAD says homeowners who own and occupy their home may qualify for the general residential homestead exemption. Other exemptions may apply for over-65, disability, disabled veterans and some surviving spouses.
How to apply
TCAD says homestead exemption applications may be submitted by mail, online or at the office. TCAD’s exemption helpline is 512-873-1560.
Protest deadline
TCAD says the protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later.
Evidence to prepare
Comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, condition issues, appraisal reports, unequal appraisal evidence and closing documents can help support a protest.
1
Check your TCAD property record
Look for value, exemptions and ownership details.
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Open TCAD property search. Review market value, appraised value, taxable value, exemptions, account number, owner name and property details.
2
Apply or correct exemptions before relying on the bill
A missing exemption can change the final bill.
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Use TCAD homestead exemption guidance and TCAD forms. TCAD says action on an exemption application occurs within 90 days after it is received.
3
File protest before the deadline
Do not wait until the week of the deadline.
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Use the TCAD protest process if market value or appraisal issues are wrong. TCAD says owners whose market value increased by at least $1,000 receive a Notice of Appraised Value in spring.
Mortgage escrow, delinquent tax and payment plan checks
Many Austin homeowners assume the mortgage company handled the bill. That assumption can be expensive if the wrong account or year was paid.
| Situation | What To Check | Best Office |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage escrow should pay | Tax Office paid status, lender escrow statement, account number, tax year | Mortgage servicer first, then Tax Office |
| Payment missing | Confirmation number, receipt, bank record, payment date, amount | Travis County Tax Office |
| Already delinquent | Current payoff with penalty/interest | Tax Office account search or 512-854-9473 |
| Need payment plan | Current or delinquent plan options shown in account search | Travis County Tax Office |
| Over-65 / disabled deferral | Eligibility, notarized affidavit, interest effect | Tax Office and TCAD depending on issue |
Travis County Tax Office vs TCAD: who to contact
The fastest answer comes from the correct office. Payment and appraisal are separate jobs.
Travis County Tax Office
Phone: 512-854-9473
Use for: tax bill, payment, receipt, delinquent balance, refund, payment plan, posting and collection questions.
Location: 2433 Ridgepoint Dr., Austin, TX 78754-5231.
Travis Central Appraisal District
Phone: 512-834-9317
Use for: property value, exemptions, property record, protest, ownership and appraisal questions.
Location: 850 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752.
| Question | Call / Use | Prepare First |
|---|---|---|
| Did my payment post? | Tax Office | Account, tax year, amount, receipt, confirmation number |
| Why did value increase? | TCAD | Notice of Appraised Value, comps, photos, repairs |
| Where is my homestead? | TCAD | ID, proof of residence, property account, application date |
| How much is due today? | Tax Office | Account number, owner, property address, tax year |
| What is my total rate? | Tax Office bill + taxing units | List of taxing units shown on your bill |
Map to Travis County Tax Office and TCAD in Austin
Use the Tax Office for payment/bill issues and TCAD for value/exemption/protest issues. Check current hours online before visiting.
Travis County Tax Office — 2433 Ridgepoint Dr.
Travis CAD — 850 East Anderson Lane
Official Austin Travis County property tax resources
These links are included for final actions. The important official details are already summarized above so users know what to do before leaving the page.
Austin Travis County property tax FAQs
Short answers for lookup, pay, calculate, exemption, protest, escrow and deadline searches.
QWhere do I look up my Austin Travis County property tax bill?▾
Use the Travis County Tax Office account search for balance, paid status, receipts, statements, eBill, mailing address change, online payment and payment plan options.
QWhere do I pay Travis County property taxes online?▾
Use the official Tax Office online payment route. Search your account, add it to cart, view cart, choose payment type and complete checkout through the authorized processor.
QWhat does online payment cost?▾
Travis County lists eCheck at $1. Card and PayPal payments show a $3 fee for balances under $100 or 3% for balances over $100.
QWhen are Travis County property taxes due?▾
January 31 is the usual deadline. Online payments made by 11:59 p.m. CST on January 31 are considered timely. Weekend or holiday deadlines move to the next business day.
QWho appraises property in Travis County?▾
Travis Central Appraisal District appraises property and handles market value, exemptions, property records and protests.
QHow do I calculate Austin property tax?▾
Use TCAD taxable value multiplied by combined tax rates for all taxing units assigned to the property. Add penalties or interest only if delinquent.
QHow do I apply for homestead exemption?▾
Apply through TCAD online, by mail or at the TCAD office. TCAD says action on an application occurs within 90 days after it is received.
QWhat is the TCAD protest deadline?▾
TCAD says the deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. Verify the current year deadline before filing.
QWhat if my mortgage company pays taxes?▾
Still check Tax Office paid status before the deadline. Compare your lender escrow statement with the Tax Office account and save proof.
QIs this the official Travis County website?▾
No. PropertyTaxUSA.org is an independent guide. Verify balances, payments, deadlines, rates, exemptions and protests with the Travis County Tax Office and TCAD.
Bottom line
For Austin Travis County property tax, think: TCAD value → taxing unit rates → Tax Office bill → payment receipt. Use TCAD for appraisal, exemptions and protests. Use the Travis County Tax Office for balances, payments, receipts, delinquent balances and payment plans.
Independent guide notice: This page is informational only and is not the Travis County Tax Office, Travis Central Appraisal District, City of Austin or a payment processor.