The district will charge three cents less for every $100 of taxable property value. However, that does not mean all property owners will pay less this year.
The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD), in the Houston area, approved on November 9 a reduction of its school tax rate for 2026. The new rate will be $1.0369 for every $100 of property value on which these taxes are calculated.
In 2025, the rate was $1.0669. With the change, the district will collect three cents less per $100. According to CFISD, this is its lowest rate in 40 years.
But there is an important difference: that the rate decreases does not necessarily mean that a home’s tax bill will also decrease. The final amount depends on how much the property is valued for tax purposes and the exemptions approved.
How much could a homeowner pay less?
The reduction is three cents per $100 subject to the school tax, not three cents on the entire bill.
For example, if a home has a value of $140,000 subject to school taxes and that value remains the same in both years, the difference between the 2025 and 2026 rates would be $42 less per year.
But if the property value increases, the bill could rise despite the lower rate. That is why it is necessary to compare the data for each year.
Example: how the taxes on a $350,000 home are calculated
CFISD published an example for a home valued at $350,000, which is the average value used by the district.
In Texas, people who have a primary residence and meet the requirements may receive exemptions. These allow subtracting a portion of the property’s value before calculating certain taxes.
In CFISD, two benefits can be combined: a local exemption of 20% of the home’s value and a state exemption of $140,000 for eligible primary residences.
Thus the district’s example would work as follows:
- Home value: $350,000.
- First exemption: $70,000 subtracted, equal to 20% of the home’s value.
- Second exemption: another $140,000 subtracted for the state benefit.
- Value on which the school tax is calculated: $140,000.
With the new rate, the annual CFISD tax for that home would be approximately $1,451.66.
If that same taxable value had remained the same in 2025, the school tax would have been $1,493.66. The difference would be $42 per year.
CFISD also calculates that its 20% local exemption reduces the school tax by about $726 for the example home, compared with a home of the same value that only receives the state exemption. That benefit is separate from the $42 reduction between the 2025 and 2026 rates.
These calculations are examples. They do not include other local taxes nor do they represent a guaranteed bill for all property owners.
What does the district use school taxes for?
The money CFISD collects through this tax is divided into two parts:
- School operations: the district will collect $0.6669 for every $100 of taxable value. This money helps pay teachers, staff, educational materials, security, and services such as electricity and water. In official documents this is known as Maintenance and Operations (M&O).
- Debt service for schools: the district will collect $0.37 per $100. These resources are used to pay loans obtained through voter-approved bonds to construct, renovate, or improve school facilities. In official documents this is known as Interest and Sinking (I&S).
The three-cent reduction occurred in this second portion, the debt service. The rate for the day-to-day operations of the schools did not change.
The full breakdown appears in CFISD’s official press release.
What does the November 3 vote have to do with this?
The decision comes after Cypress-Fairbanks voters rejected five proposals related to school funding during the November 3 elections.
One of the proposals, known as VATRE, sought to authorize a tax increase to cover daily school expenses, including salaries and educational programs.
The other four proposals sought authorization to fund construction, renovation, technology, and other facilities projects through bonds.
Since voters rejected the proposals, the district did not gain authorization to apply the operating increase sought. Under Texas rules, CFISD had to adopt a rate within the allowed limit without that electoral approval.
School administration has also indicated that it will need to revisit its budget and anticipated expenditures after the result.
Related: Cy-Fair ISD: tax increase and four bonds rejected.
Where can you check how much you will pay in school taxes?
To determine the amount for a home, owners should review three data points: the property value used to calculate taxes, the approved exemptions, and the rate applied by each local entity.
The CFISD Tax Office provides information on school taxes. State resources can also be consulted at Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes.
To apply for or verify an exemption, the owner should go to the county appraisal district where their home is located. The Texas Comptroller explains the benefits available, including additional ones for homeowners aged 65 or older and people with disabilities who meet the requirements.
It is important to remember that the rate announced by CFISD corresponds only to the school tax. A property tax bill may also include charges from other local authorities.
