Property taxes

Learn how property taxes are calculated, who pays them, where the money goes, and why your tax bill can change each year.

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Property taxes are one of Dallas’ largest sources of local revenue.

If you own property, you pay taxes based on your property’s taxable value. That money helps fund services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and street maintenance.

Even if you rent, property taxes can still affect you because they may influence housing costs.

what is a property tax?

A property tax is a tax paid by property owners based on the value of their land and buildings.

The more valuable the property, the more property tax is generally owed.

Property taxes help pay for local government services that residents use every day.

think of it like this

Imagine everyone in a neighborhood chips in to maintain things everyone uses like streetlights, sidewalks, parks, and emergency services.

Property taxes work in a similar way.

Property owners contribute based on the value of their property, and that money helps pay for services that benefit the community.

how is property tax calculated?

Your property tax bill depends on three main things:

step 1: your property is appraised

The county appraisal district estimates your property’s value.

Try It Yourself:

step 2: exemptions are applied

Some homeowners qualify for exemptions that reduce the taxable value of their property.

Examples:

Homestead Exemption
Over-65 Exemption
Disability Exemption

Check Your Eligibility:

Step 3: Tax Rates are applied

Each taxing entity applies its own tax rate. For many Dallas properties, this may include:

City of Dallas
Dallas ISD (or another school district)
Dallas County
Dallas College
Other special districts, depending on location

The total tax bill is the combined amount owed to all applicable taxing entities.

Explore Your Tax Rates:

where does your property tax go?

Property taxes don’t all stay with the City of Dallas.

Your total property tax bill is divided among several local governments, each funding different public services.

Examples include:

City services
Public schools
County services
Community college
Other local districts (where applicable)

why does my tax bill change?

Your property tax bill can change for several reasons.

your property’s value changed

If your home’s appraised value increases or decreases, your tax bill may also change.

the tax rate changed

The City Council and other taxing entities adopt tax rates each year.

Your exemptions change

Adding or losing an exemption can affect how much tax you owe.

Compare your Property over time

See your property’s value history
Compare this year’s value to last year’s
Estimate how changes could affect your bill

why this matters

Property taxes are one of Dallas’ largest local revenue sources.

Understanding how they work helps explain:

Why tax bills change from year to year.
How city services are funded.
Why budget discussions often focus on property values and tax rates.
How local government balances revenue with community needs.

myth vs facts

Myth

Fact

The City keeps all of my property taxes.

Your property tax bill is divided among multiple taxing entities, including the City, County, school district, and others.

Renters don’t pay property taxes.

Renters don’t receive a tax bill directly, but property taxes are one of the costs landlords consider when setting rent.

If the tax rate goes down, everyone’s tax bill goes down.

Not necessarily. If your property’s taxable value increases, your tax bill could still increase.

take action

Check your property

Use these resources to learn more about your property.

Frequently asked questions

Who determines my property’s value?

Your property’s value is determined by the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD), not the City of Dallas.

Each year, DCAD estimates the market value of your property. The City of Dallas then uses that appraised value to calculate the City’s portion of your property taxes after any eligible exemptions are applied.

Learn More: What is DCAD? | Check Your Property’s Appraised Value

How do I appeal my appraisal?

If you believe your property’s appraised value is too high, you can file a protest with DCAD.

During the protest process, you can provide information such as recent home sales, repair estimates, or photos to support your case. There are deadlines each year, so it’s important to file on time.

Take Action: Learn How to File a Property Tax Protest

What is a homestead exemption?

A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your primary residence, which can lower the amount of property taxes you owe.

Some homeowners may also qualify for additional exemptions, such as those for people over 65 or individuals with disabilities.

Take Action: Check Your Homestead Exemption

What happens if I don’t pay my property taxes?

If property taxes aren’t paid, penalties and interest may be added to the amount owed.

Over time, unpaid taxes can lead to legal action or a tax lien against the property.

If you’re having trouble paying, contact your local tax office as soon as possible to learn about available options.

Does everyone pay the same tax rate?

Not always.

Your total property tax bill depends on where your property is located. Different school districts and special districts may have different tax rates.

However, everyone within the same taxing jurisdiction generally pays the same adopted tax rate.

Where can I see the current City tax rate?

The City Council adopts the City’s property tax rate each year as part of the annual budget process.

You can view the current rate, previous years’ rates, and budget documents on the City’s website.

Take Action: View Current Tax Rates