HOUSTON – Saturday, Jan. 31, is the last day Harris County property owners can pay their 2025 property tax bill without facing penalty and interest, according to the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office.
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Property taxes become delinquent on Feb. 1, at which point penalties and interest begin to accrue. Here’s everything taxpayers need to know before the deadline.
SEE ALSO: Tax season is here! Here’s what Harris County officials say you should know before filing
1. When is the property tax deadline?
Property taxes are due Jan. 31, 2026, to be considered timely.
Because Jan. 31 falls on a Saturday, the next business day is honored as timely, meaning payments made on that next business day will still be accepted without penalty.
The extended deadline applies to:
- USPS postmark date
- Receipt mark from private carriers such as UPS or FedEx
- Transaction date on the Harris County online payment portal
- Transaction date for phone payments
2. What happens if you miss the deadline?
Taxes become delinquent on Feb. 1, and penalty and interest begin immediately. Additional collection fees of 15% to 20% can be added later if taxes remain unpaid and are sent to a delinquent tax law firm.
3. Where can property taxes be paid?
Property taxes can be paid:
- In person at any Harris County Tax Office location
- By mail (postmarked by the deadline)
- Online through the Harris County Tax Office portal
- By phone
Payments are accepted by cash, check, credit card or e-check.
4. Who should checks be made payable to?
Checks or money orders should be made payable to Annette Ramirez, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Payments by mail should be sent to:
Annette Ramirez, Tax Assessor-CollectorP.O. Box 4622Houston, TX 77210-4622
Taxpayers are encouraged to include the payment coupon or write their account number on the check.
5. Can property taxes be paid online?
Yes. The Tax Office accepts full or partial payments online using:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express
- E-checks
A 2.40% non-refundable surcharge (minimum $1) applies to credit card payments.E-checks cost $0.50 per transaction.
6. Can property taxes be paid by phone?
Yes. Property owners can pay by calling 713-274-CARD (2273) seven days a week.
The same 2.40% credit card surcharge applies to phone payments.
7. Can taxpayers make monthly payments?
Yes, but penalties still apply.
- Real property owners may make monthly payments through June, but penalty and interest begin Feb. 1.
- If a balance remains after June, taxpayers may enter an installment agreement to avoid additional collection fees.
- Business personal property accounts have different deadlines, and collection fees apply sooner.
8. What if you didn’t receive a tax bill?
Not receiving a bill does not excuse late payment.
Property owners are responsible for ensuring taxes are paid on time. If a bill hasn’t arrived by mid-December, taxpayers should contact the Tax Office or look up their account online. A statement is not required to make payment if the account number and amount due are known.
9. Can partial payments be made?
Yes. Partial payments are accepted:
- Online
- By phone
- By mail
Payments are applied to current taxes first before delinquent balances.
10. Who can help with questions?
For questions or assistance, property owners can:
- Call the Harris County Tax Office at 713-274-8000
- Use the email option on the payment website
- Visit a Tax Office location, where computers and staff assistance are available
Harris County and City of Houston libraries also offer free internet access for online payments.