Invoices are distributed between October and November. The ordinary deadline to pay without penalties ends on Monday, February 1, 2027, because January 31 falls on a Sunday.
Updated October 27, 2026.
Harris County already has approved rates for 2026 property taxes. The Harris County Commissioners Court approved on September 17 the rates for the county and three related entities, while the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office prepares and distributes the bills that must be paid during the coming months.
The amount of each bill depends on the property’s taxable value, the exemptions recognized, and the taxing entities corresponding to its address. A home within Houston, for example, may owe taxes to the county, the city, a school district and other authorities, each with its own rate.
Harris County approved a rate of $0.41750 per $100 for 2026
The Harris County Commissioners Court approved on September 17, 2026 a rate of $0.41750 per $100 of taxable value for Harris County. The figure represents an increase from the $0.38096 applied in 2025.
New rates were also approved for the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris Health System and Port of Houston Authority. These four components total $0.67147 per $100 of taxable value.
| Entity | Rate 2026 per $100 |
|---|---|
| Harris County | $0.41750 |
| Harris County Flood Control District | $0.05266 |
| Harris Health System | $0.19528 |
| Port of Houston Authority | $0.00603 |
| Total of these four components | $0.67147 |
The $0.67147 is not the total tax rate for all properties in Harris County. The bill can also include taxes from cities, school districts, water districts and other jurisdictions. In addition, different entities may apply exemptions and different taxable values.
The adopted base rates from the Harris County Tax Office allow reviewing the percentages corresponding to each taxing entity.
Related: Harris County approves increase to property tax: average home would pay $193 more.
The 2026 tax bills are distributed between October and November
The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, headed by Annette Ramirez, has scheduled the distribution of the statements for the 2026 tax year during October and November.
The issuance of each bill depends on the values and records of the property being certified and available for billing. Therefore, not all accounts necessarily appear at the same time.
The Harris County Tax Office’s bill and receipts lookup allows searching for a property by account number, the owner’s name, or the address.
If an account has not yet appeared, the record may be pending certification, under review, or affected by a change of ownership. The Tax Office handles inquiries about account statuses at the 713-274-8000.
Not receiving the bill by mail does not remove the obligation to pay. Taxes can be viewed and paid using the account information when the relevant amount is available.
The 2026 electronic billing registration closed on October 1
The deadline to request electronic delivery of the bill for the 2026 tax year ended on October 1, 2026.
The Harris County Tax Office no longer accepts new electronic delivery requests for that cycle. The office plans to enable in November 2026 the registration to receive electronically the bills for the 2027 tax year.
The closure of the electronic billing registration does not prevent checking the account status or making online payments. The tax inquiry and the registration to receive electronic invoices are separate services.
February 1, 2027 will be the last day to pay without ordinary penalties
The general deadline to pay property taxes in Texas without penalties ends on January 31 of the year to which the tax applies. However, January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday.
The Texas Tax Code allows meeting a timely obligation on the next business day when the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. The Harris County Tax Office applies that extension to payments made at its offices and through recognized payment mechanisms.
Therefore, for the ordinary bills of the 2026 tax year, Monday, February 1, 2027 will be the last day to pay without penalties or interest for late payment. The taxes that remain unpaid would begin to be considered delinquent on Tuesday, February 2.
Special accounts, late-issued bills, corrections, and authorized payment methods may have different dates. The applicable due date for each property must coincide with the account statement and the conditions set by the tax collector’s office.
Payments can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in offices
The Harris County Tax Office accepts payments in full or in part through various channels. Among the available options are:
- Internet: payments through the Harris County property tax service, with access to the authorized electronic options.
- Phone: payments to 713-274-2273.
- Mail: checks or money orders addressed to Annette Ramirez, Tax Assessor-Collector, P.O. Box 4622, Houston, TX 77210-4622.
- Offices: in-person payments at the Harris County Tax Office’s enabled branches.
Card payments may include additional service charges. e-Check transactions have different terms and fees, depending on the channel used. The applicable charges are shown during the payment process.
A partial payment reduces the outstanding balance, but does not automatically avoid penalties and interest on any amount remaining unpaid after the due date.
Escrow accounts must confirm that the mortgage covered the tax
A property financed with a mortgage may have an escrow account that accumulates funds monthly to cover taxes and insurance.
When such an arrangement exists, the mortgage servicer typically receives the tax information and makes the payment with the reserved funds. However, the existence of an escrow account does not by itself prove that the tax has already been paid.
The tax statement allows checking whether the payment was recorded. It is also advisable to review the mortgage servicer’s documents when there was a purchase, sale, refinancing, or a change of entity that administers the loan.
An increase in taxes can modify the annual escrow calculation and, consequently, the monthly mortgage payment, even if the principal or interest rate of the loan does not change.
Some exemptions allow paying the taxes in four installments
Harris County provides special payment options for certain homes that meet legal requirements, including properties with exemptions for homeowners aged 65 or older, people with disabilities, and certain categories of veterans or surviving spouses. There are also provisions for eligible properties located in disaster-declared areas.
The four-payment plans have their own procedures and due dates. They do not equate to making partial payments without an authorized agreement.
The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) determines property values and administers exemptions. The Harris County Tax Collector uses those records to calculate and collect the taxes for the entities it represents.
The Harris Central Appraisal District maintains information on values, owners, and exemptions. A difference in taxable value or an exemption missing should be checked with the appraisal district, not confused with a modification of the approved rate.
Payments made by December 31 correspond to the 2026 calendar year
December 31, 2026 is a date separate from the ordinary tax due date. Harris County identifies it as a reference for recording payments made within the 2026 calendar year when they may be relevant for a federal income tax deduction.
The ability to deduct property taxes depends on federal tax rules, the relevant filing, and the taxpayer’s circumstances. Paying before December 31 does not automatically guarantee a deduction.
To satisfy that cutoff, payments sent by mail must meet postmark or carrier proof requirements. Electronic transactions must be completed within the deadline set by the collector’s office.
An overdue bill accrues penalties and interest on the outstanding balance
Ordinary accounts that are not paid within the applicable period begin accruing late charges. State law establishes an initial 6% penalty during the first month of delinquency, in addition to 1% interest.
Charges can increase while a balance remains unpaid. There are also collection procedures that, under certain circumstances, add additional costs.
For the 2026 ordinary taxes, the timely payment date will be Monday, February 1, 2027, provided there is no different individual due date. The Harris County Tax Office’s bill lookup allows verifying the updated balance and recorded payments.
