Tax Assistance Program
Delinquent property tax help for Texas homeowners
Missed a property tax payment? In Texas, penalties and interest start on February 1 and go up every month after. We work as your tax advocates. We look at what you owe, explain the deadlines in plain English, and help you find a way out before the bill turns into a lawsuit.
How it works in Texas
What happens when property taxes go unpaid
The Texas Tax Code sets the schedule, and it moves faster than most people expect. Here’s the general timeline. Exact amounts and dates vary by county.
February 1
Taxes not paid by January 31 become delinquent. A 6% penalty and 1% interest are added right away.
Each month after
The penalty climbs every month until it reaches 12% on July 1. Interest keeps adding 1% a month until the balance is paid.
July 1
Many counties turn unpaid accounts over to a collection attorney. That can add a fee of up to 20% on top of everything already owed.
Tax suit and sale
The county or school district can sue to collect and ask the court to have the property sold at a sheriff’s or constable’s sale.
Who we help
Who this program is for
If any of these sound familiar, call us. The earlier we talk, the more choices you’ll have.
- You got a delinquent tax notice
- Penalties and interest keep growing
- A tax lawsuit was filed on your property
- Your property is listed for a tax sale
- You inherited a home with back taxes
- Your rental or land is behind on taxes
- You’re a senior or disabled homeowner falling behind
- You don’t know what your options are
Your options
Your tax advocates, in your corner
Falling behind on property taxes is more common than people think. It usually starts with one hard year.
There’s rarely only one way out. Depending on the property and how far things have gone, these are the paths we’ll go over with you:
Set up a payment plan
If the home is your homestead, the tax office has to offer an installment agreement of at least 12 months when you ask. We’ll help you understand the terms before you sign.
Check for a deferral
If you’re 65 or older, disabled, or a disabled veteran, you may be able to defer collection on your homestead for as long as you live there.
Sell on your terms
If keeping the property doesn’t make sense, we can buy it or help you sell it. The back taxes are paid at closing, and the rest of your equity stays with you.
Every month you wait adds to what you owe.
Talk to a Tax Care SpecialistFree and confidential. No pressure.
The process
How our Tax Assistance Program works
A Tax Care Specialist is available when you need one. Here’s what to expect.
1. Call or message us
Tell us about the property and send a photo of any notice you’ve received from the county or tax office.
2. We review the numbers
We look at the balance, the penalties already added, the deadlines you’re up against, and how much equity you have.
3. You see your options
We lay out your choices side by side, including the ones that don’t involve us.
4. You decide
Pick what works for you. We help you follow through and stay with you until it’s settled.
Questions
Texas property tax delinquency FAQ
When are Texas property taxes considered delinquent?
Property tax bills are generally due by January 31. Anything still unpaid on February 1 is delinquent and starts picking up penalty and interest. If January 31 lands on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
How much do penalties and interest add to the bill?
On February 1 the balance goes up 7%: a 6% penalty plus 1% interest. By July it is 18%. Many counties also hand unpaid accounts to a collection attorney on July 1, which can add a fee of up to 20%. Interest keeps running at 1% a month after that.
Can I get on a payment plan for back property taxes?
Usually, yes. Tax offices can set up installment agreements, and if the property is your homestead they have to offer one of at least 12 months when you ask. Missing a payment can cancel the agreement, so pick an amount you can actually keep up with.
Can I stop a tax sale?
Paying the taxes, penalties, interest and costs before the sale date stops it. Depending on your situation, a payment plan, a deferral, or selling the property first may also work. Call as soon as you hear about a lawsuit or a sale date. Waiting is what takes options off the table.
What if my property was already sold at a tax sale?
Texas gives former owners a right to buy the property back, called redemption. For a homestead or agricultural land you generally have two years, and you pay the buyer a 25% premium in the first year or 50% in the second. For most other property the window is 180 days.
Are you attorneys or property tax consultants?
No. Tejas Property Group is a Texas real estate investment company. We don’t give legal or tax advice. We help you understand where you stand and what your real estate options are, and we’ll point you to an attorney or CPA when you need one.
Does it cost anything to talk to you?
No. The first conversation is free and confidential, and there is no obligation.
Facing foreclosure on a mortgage too? See our foreclosure support options.
Behind on property taxes? Let’s talk.
Call or send us a message and a Tax Care Specialist will get back to you. You’ll get a straight answer on where you stand and what you can do about it.
Talk to a Tax Care SpecialistTejas Property Group is a Texas real estate investment company. We are not attorneys, CPAs, or registered property tax consultants, and we do not provide legal or tax advice. Penalty, interest, and deadline information is general and varies by county.