If you own a home, then paying your property taxes can sometimes feel like a huge burden. The exact amount you need to pay can change based on where you live and market fluctuations, so it’s important to understand your tax rate before you pay your bill

Running the numbers can be tough, but

home and car insurance

expert

Jerry

is here with everything you need to know about paying property taxes in Travis County. We’ll go over some property tax basics, explain how property taxes work, and when you need to pay in this populous

Texas

county.

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Property tax 101

If you’re new to paying property taxes, here’s what you need to know:

Your property tax payment is collected by local government and used to help pay for public works and community services such as education, law enforcement, libraries, and more.

Most property taxes apply to a piece of land and anything that’s built on it—like your yard and your home, for example. This is referred to as real property.

The county tax assessor determines your property tax rate based on market values and local tax rates.

Property taxes can sometimes change depending on your area’s budget and the current market conditions.

Most importantly, property taxes are used by local governments to fund communities.

MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Travis County?

If you own a home in Travis County, you can expect to pay about 1.98% of assessed home value in property taxes, which is slightly higher than the state average of 1.81%. At this rate, most Travis County residents pay around $3,972 a year.

To view a detailed breakdown of the most recent tax rates, visit the

Travis County website

How property taxes work in Travis County

All property in Travis County is located within a taxing district at the school, city, or county level.

Property taxes support 127 local governments, including cities, emergency districts, the county, the hospital, the junior college, municipal utility districts, school districts, water control districts, and the road district.

The value of your property is based on its market value and determined by the local

tax office

. If you believe your property’s value has been calculated incorrectly, Travis County gives its residents the

right to protest that value

If your property is used as your primary residence, then you might qualify for a

Homestead Exemption

under Texas law. You may also be able to

claim an exemption

if your home or property is powered by solar- or wind-power devices.

What do Travis County property taxes pay for?

The money collected from property taxes in Travis County is used to fund community services that improve the health and welfare of county residents. Some examples of these services are:

Public schools

Libraries

Playgrounds

City streets

County roads

Law enforcement

Fire protection

Emergency medical services

If you want more information on the way your property taxes are distributed, you can participate in a

Truth-in-Taxation

budget meeting. If you’re unhappy with the way your tax dollars are being spent, these meetings give you a chance to express your opinion to the people who make budget decisions.

MORE: How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Travis County

Property tax payments in Travis County are due on January 31 each year.

To make it easy to pay your tax bill on time, Travis County provides its residents with

several payment methods

. You have the option to pay:

Online: You can use a credit card, debit card, eCheck, or PayPal to pay online through the Travis County Tax Office

payment portal

By mail: You can mail a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order to the Travis County Tax Office, PO Box 149328, Austin, TX 78714-9328. Checks should be made out to the Travis County Tax Office, and you must include your full name and account number with your payment.

By phone: You can pay over the phone with a credit or debit card by calling (888) 286-9242.

By electronic funds transfer: Visit the

Travis County Tax Office website

for instructions on how to pay with a wire transfer or your bank’s online bill-paying service.

In person: You can drop your payment off at 5501 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751, between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. You can also

schedule an appointment

to skip waiting in line.

MORE:

Texas car insurance laws—all you need to know

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When are property taxes due in Travis County?

Travis County property taxes are due on January 31.

How do I get my Texas property tax statement?

You’ll get a copy of your tax bill mailed to you before your first payment is due. You can also view your statement online.

Are property taxes high in Travis County?

Travis County property taxes are slightly higher than average for the state of Texas. Residents pay about $3,972 a year in property taxes.

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