Paying property taxes is one of those inevitable parts of homeownership, and in Texas, those payments can sting. Plus, considering how much they can vary from one year to the next, figuring out what you owe, to whom, and why can be challenging.

That’s why

Jerry

, the

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comparison app, is here to give you the rundown on your area’s property taxes. Keep reading to learn more about property taxes in Fort Bend County, like when and how to pay them, where those funds end up, and more.

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Property tax 101

The concept of property taxes can be a little confusing, especially if you’ve never needed to pay them before.

Essentially, property taxes are assigned and collected by local governments, then dispersed to the appropriate sources to support various essential services and special projects in your community.

What you owe for property taxes in a given year will vary based on your local tax rate and your home’s market value.

MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Fort Bend County?

Fort Bend County’s average tax rate is 2.48% of a home’s assessed value, which is considerably more than the Texas state average of 1.81%. Fort Bend County residents pay an average of $4,260 in annual property taxes.

How Fort Bend County property taxes are determined

A piece of property lies within multiple taxing districts that will each have its own established tax rate. Different taxing units include school districts, water management districts, cities, and counties.

Property appraisals begin in January when your home’s value is assessed based on current real estate market conditions where you live, and that assessed value in combination with your local tax rate will be used to calculate your property tax payment.

Texas law requires notices of appraised value to be sent by or as close to April 1 as possible for residential properties. That notice will outline:

Your property’s applicable taxing units

Appraised and taxable values of your property last year

Appraised and taxable values of your property this year

Any applicable exemptions for the current year

If appraised value increased, what the amount of tax would be based on last year’s tax rate

Any canceled or reduced exemptions from the previous year

You can review Fort Bend County’s current and past tax rates by taxing unit via the

Truth in Taxation Summary

What do Fort Bend County property taxes pay for?

Here are just some of the services that property taxes from Fort Bend County support:

Public libraries

K-12 and community education

Water management

Maintenance and operations

Debt service

Transportation

Roads, highways

Law enforcement

Public health

MORE: How to get a hybrid or electric car tax credit

How to pay property taxes in Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County property taxes are due upon receipt when tax bills are mailed out in October, and they must be paid in full by January 31.

You also have the option of setting up a quarterly payment plan with the tax office. Quarterly installments are due by the following dates:

First-quarter: January 31

Second-quarter: March 31

Third-quarter: May 31

Fourth-quarter: July 31

There are several ways you can go about paying your real estate taxes in Fort Bend County, Texas. Due to COVID-19 and staffing shortages, these are Fort Bend County’s recommended payment methods:

Online: You can pay your

property taxes online

via credit or debit card or e-check. While there are no fees for e-checks, a credit/debit card fee of 2.09% with a $1 minimum will apply.

By mail: Payments can be sent by mail to the Fort Bend County tax collector-assessor’s office at P.O. Box 4277, Houston, TX 77210-4277.

Through your mortgage: If your property taxes are paid on your behalf via your mortgage’s escrow account, your mortgage lender should receive your property tax bill from the Fort Bend County tax assessor-collector. You can check with your lender and the county tax assessor-collector to verify this is properly set up.

Tax office locations can be found on the

Fort Bend County website

. For more property tax payment questions, you can call or email the

Fort Bend County tax office

MORE:

Texas car insurance laws

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Texas

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When are property taxes due in Fort Bend County?

Fort Bend County property taxes are due upon receipt and must be paid by January 31.

How do I get my Texas property tax statement?

Fort Bend property tax bills are mailed on or around October 1.

Are property taxes high in Fort Bend County?

Fort Bend County’s average property tax rate is among the highest in the United States at 2.48% of a home’s assessed value. That comes out to an average property tax payment of $4,260.

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