Travis County property taxes in 2026 carry an effective rate of 1.8–2.3% of appraised value, combining levies from Austin ISD, the City of Austin, Travis County, Austin Community College, and Central Health. A $750,000 home in Austin with a homestead exemption typically owes approximately $10,800–$13,500 per year. Homeowners can reduce this bill through exemptions and the TCAD protest process, with a May 15 deadline each year.
Travis County property tax breakdown for a $750,000 home. Rates are approximate 2026 adopted rates. Source: TCAD, Austin ISD, City of Austin.
How TCAD Works: The Basics of Travis County Appraisal
The Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) is an independent governmental body responsible for appraising all taxable property within Travis County each year. TCAD does not set tax rates, that job belongs to each individual taxing jurisdiction. What TCAD does is establish the appraised (market) value of your property as of January 1 of each tax year, which then becomes the foundation upon which all taxing entities apply their adopted rate.
TCAD appraisers use three primary methodologies: the sales comparison approach (comparing your property to recent nearby sales), the income approach (for income-producing properties), and the cost approach (estimating what it would cost to replace the structure). For residential properties in Austin, the sales comparison approach carries the most weight.
Mass appraisal techniques are used because TCAD must value hundreds of thousands of parcels simultaneously. This means individual property quirks, a basement that floods, a lot with an easement, deferred maintenance, may not be captured in the automated model. That is precisely why the protest process exists and why so many Austin homeowners successfully reduce their appraised values each year.
For the most current appraisal data, visit the official TCAD website at traviscad.org.
Travis County Effective Property Tax Rates in 2026
The phrase "effective tax rate" refers to the actual percentage of a property's market value that is paid in taxes, taking into account exemptions and the combined levies of all applicable taxing authorities. In Travis County, this figure typically falls between 1.8% and 2.3% depending on:
- Which school district your property falls within (Austin ISD carries a heavier rate than some neighboring districts)
- Whether your property is inside Austin city limits (adding the City of Austin levy)
- Whether a Municipal Utility District (MUD) overlaps your parcel
- Which exemptions you have applied for and qualified for
| Taxing Authority | Approx. 2025 Rate | Annual Tax (pre-exemption, $750K) |
|---|---|---|
| Austin ISD | 1.0145% | $7,609 |
| City of Austin | 0.5410% | $4,058 |
| Travis County | 0.2963% | $2,222 |
| Austin Community College | 0.0980% | $735 |
| Central Health (CCHD) | 0.0714% | $536 |
| Combined Total | 2.0212% | $15,159 |
Note: Tax rates are adopted annually by each governing body, typically in September. The figures above reflect approximately 2025 adopted rates. Consult the Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Division or each entity's published budget for the most current rates.
How TCAD Sets Your Appraised Value
Each year, TCAD appraisers re-evaluate properties using sales data from the prior calendar year. The resulting appraised value is supposed to reflect 100% of market value as of January 1. Under Texas law, TCAD may not increase a property's appraised value by more than 10% per year for homestead properties (a protection added by the Texas Legislature), though the market value can theoretically rise faster.
Your taxable value is derived by subtracting any applicable exemptions from your appraised value. The formula is:
Taxable Value = Appraised Value − Exemptions (homestead, over-65, disabled veteran, etc.)
Tax Bill = Taxable Value × Combined Tax Rate
So a $750,000 home with a $100,000 school district homestead exemption and a 20% county exemption (reducing the value by an additional $150,000) would have a taxable value closer to $500,000 for school tax purposes, producing significantly lower bills than the pre-exemption calculation above.
Property Tax Exemptions in Travis County
Exemptions are the single most powerful tool homeowners have to reduce their annual tax burden. Texas law provides several categories, and you must apply for most of them, they are not automatically applied.
Homestead Exemption (Proposition 4, 2023)
The November 2023 passage of Proposition 4 dramatically expanded Texas homestead protections. The key changes for Travis County homeowners include:
- $100,000 school district exemption, up from the previous $40,000, this is now one of the most generous in the country for school taxes (which typically represent 40–50% of the total bill).
- 20% county and local exemptions, many taxing entities, including Travis County, provide an additional percentage-based exemption on top of the flat dollar amount.
- Homestead status caps annual appraisal increases at 10% regardless of market movement.
To qualify, you must own the property, use it as your principal residence, and have lived there on January 1 of the tax year. You can apply through TCAD online or via mail. There is no deadline, but applying by April 30 ensures the exemption applies to the current year.
Over-65 and Disabled Person Exemption
Homeowners who are 65 or older (or who are disabled) receive a tax freeze on the school district portion of their property tax, meaning it can never increase even if the home value rises. This is sometimes called the "senior freeze." Additionally, these homeowners receive extra exemption amounts from most taxing entities.
If you qualify mid-year, you may receive a pro-rated exemption for that year. Surviving spouses of qualifying individuals may continue to receive this benefit if they are 55 or older at the time of the spouse's death.
Disabled Veteran Exemption
Texas offers one of the most generous disabled veteran exemptions in the nation. Veterans with a 100% disability rating from the VA receive a complete property tax exemption on their primary residence. Veterans with lesser ratings receive partial exemptions on a sliding scale:
- 10–29% disability: $5,000 exemption
- 30–49% disability: $7,500 exemption
- 50–69% disability: $10,000 exemption
- 70–99% disability: $12,000 exemption
- 100% or unemployable: full exemption
Surviving spouses of veterans killed in action may also qualify for a full exemption. Documentation from the VA is required. Contact Travis County or TCAD for the application process.
Agricultural Exemption (Open-Space Valuation)
Properties used for agriculture, timber, or wildlife management may qualify for special open-space valuation under Section 23.51 of the Texas Tax Code. Instead of being taxed at market value, the land is valued based on its agricultural productivity, which can reduce taxable value by 70–90% on the land portion. This exemption is most relevant in the rural western and northern parts of Travis County (areas toward Lago Vista, Bee Cave, and Pflugerville outskirts).
There is a rollback tax if you change the land's use, you'll owe taxes for the previous 5 years (or 3 years for wildlife management) at the regular rate plus interest. Plan accordingly before purchasing agricultural land for development. Learn more at the Texas Comptroller's website.
Property Tax Calculator Example: $750,000 Austin Home
Let's walk through a real-world calculation for a $750,000 home in Austin ISD with a homestead exemption applied.
| Step | Calculation | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Appraised Market Value | — | $750,000 |
| School District Exemption (Prop 4) | −$100,000 | $650,000 |
| Austin ISD Tax (1.0145% of $650,000) | $650,000 × 0.010145 | $6,594 |
| City of Austin (20% HS reduction → $600K) | $600,000 × 0.005410 | $3,246 |
| Travis County (20% HS → $600K) | $600,000 × 0.002963 | $1,778 |
| ACC (20% HS → $600K) | $600,000 × 0.000980 | $588 |
| Central Health (20% HS → $600K) | $600,000 × 0.000714 | $428 |
| Estimated Annual Tax | Sum of above | ~$12,634 |
Key takeaway: Properly claiming all available exemptions on this $750,000 home reduces the tax bill from approximately $15,159 (pre-exemption) to ~$12,634 per year, saving roughly $2,525 annually. Over a 10-year ownership period, that's more than $25,000 in your pocket.
Travis County Taxing Authorities Explained
Your property tax bill in Travis County is not sent by a single entity, it is a composite of levies from multiple jurisdictions. Understanding who taxes you (and why) is essential to appreciating how your bill is constructed.
Austin Independent School District (AISD)
AISD typically accounts for the largest single slice of your property tax bill, roughly 40–50% of the total. School district taxes fund local public schools and are governed by state formulas that partially redistribute wealth between districts. Austin ISD covers most of the city of Austin proper. You can verify your school district assignment on the Texas Education Agency website or through TCAD's property search tool.
City of Austin
The City of Austin's general fund levy funds police, fire, parks, library services, and general municipal operations. Properties within Austin city limits pay this rate; those in unincorporated Travis County do not. The city's adopted rate has declined slightly in recent years as property values rose, partially cushioning homeowners. City budget documents and tax rate info are published at austintexas.gov.
Travis County General Fund
The county levy funds the Travis County Sheriff's office, county courts, the jail system, county parks, and other countywide services. Travis County also administers road and bridge taxes in unincorporated areas. Rate information is available at co.travis.tx.us.
Austin Community College (ACC)
ACC is a two-year public community college that levies a property tax to fund its operations and capital needs. The rate is relatively modest but applies across a broad area of Travis and surrounding counties. It supports one of the region's most important workforce development institutions.
Central Health (CommUnityCare)
Central Health is the healthcare district for Travis County, funding the CommUnityCare network of clinics that serves uninsured and underinsured residents. Its property tax rate is the smallest of the major Travis County authorities but serves a critical public health mission.
MUD Taxes in Newer Travis County Developments
Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) are special taxing districts authorized by the Texas Legislature to fund infrastructure, water, sewer, drainage, and roads, in new developments where existing municipalities are unwilling or unable to extend services. In Travis County, MUDs are most common in fast-growing areas such as the eastern Pflugerville corridor, Manor, Del Valle, and some southwest Austin communities.
MUD tax rates are determined by the district's outstanding debt and operational needs. In the early years of a development, MUD rates can add 0.3% to 0.7% annually to your total property tax burden, a meaningful addition to an already substantial combined rate. As the district's bonds are paid off over time, the MUD rate typically decreases and may eventually dissolve into the city's general fund if the area is annexed.
Before purchasing in a new development, always ask your agent to identify whether a MUD applies to the parcel and request the current MUD rate and its historical trajectory. This information must be disclosed in the Texas Property Code Addendum for Properties in a Propane Gas System Service Area or MUD Addendum (TREC Form).
How to Protest Your Travis County Property Appraisal
Protesting your TCAD appraisal is a legal right, and for many Travis County homeowners, it's a financially sound annual practice. TCAD processes tens of thousands of protests each year, and a significant percentage result in reduced values.
Step 1: Review Your Notice of Appraised Value
TCAD mails Notices of Appraised Value in April. Your notice will show the proposed appraised value for the current year, along with a comparison to the prior year. Review it carefully. If your appraised value has increased sharply, or if the value seems inconsistent with comparable sales in your neighborhood, you have grounds to protest. You can also find your current value anytime at traviscad.org.
Step 2: File a Protest, Deadline May 15
The protest deadline is May 15, or 30 days from the postmark date on your notice, whichever is later. File online through the TCAD iFile system, by mail, or in person. Your protest notice does not need to be elaborate, you simply need to state that you disagree with the appraised value. Grounds for protest include:
- Value is over market value (the most common basis)
- Value is unequal compared to similar properties
- Incorrect property characteristics (wrong square footage, lot size, etc.)
- Exemption was denied or not properly applied
Step 3: Informal Conference with TCAD Appraiser
After filing, most homeowners are offered an informal conference with a TCAD appraiser, either by phone, video, or in person. This is your first opportunity to present evidence: comparable sales, appraisal reports, photos of property defects, repair estimates, or any data suggesting the proposed value is too high. Many protests are resolved at this stage without a formal hearing.
Bring or submit the following evidence:
- Recent sales of comparable homes (within 0.5 miles, last 12 months, similar size and age)
- Your own purchase price if you bought within the past year
- Evidence of deferred maintenance, structural issues, or functional obsolescence
- An independent appraisal (if you have one)
Step 4: Formal ARB Hearing
If the informal conference does not yield a satisfactory result, you may proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), an independent panel of citizens appointed to resolve appraisal disputes. Hearings are relatively informal and typically last 15–30 minutes. You present your evidence, the TCAD appraiser presents their evidence, and the panel renders a decision. The ARB decision is binding on TCAD.
Step 5: Binding Arbitration
If you are unsatisfied with the ARB's decision and your property is valued at $5 million or less, you can request binding arbitration through the Texas Comptroller's office within 60 days of receiving the ARB order. The arbitration fee depends on property value (ranging from $450 to $1,550). If the arbitrator rules in your favor, TCAD must refund the fee. This path avoids district court and is faster and less expensive than litigation. More info at comptroller.texas.gov.
Step 6: District Court
For high-value properties, complex cases, or situations where you believe the ARB's decision was legally erroneous, you may file suit in Travis County District Court within 60 days of the ARB order. Most district court property tax cases involve attorneys and formal discovery. Settlement before trial is common. This path is most appropriate for commercial properties or homes valued above $5 million.
Proposition 4 (2023) Impact on Austin Homeowners
Texas voters approved Proposition 4 in November 2023, a landmark constitutional amendment that delivered the largest property tax cut in Texas history. The key provisions that affect Travis County homeowners are:
- School district homestead exemption increased from $40,000 to $100,000. This alone saves a homeowner in Austin ISD approximately $610 per year at current rates.
- Appraisal cap of 20% extended to non-homestead residential properties with 3 or fewer units. Previously, only homestead properties benefited from the 10% annual cap.
- State funding offsets allow school districts to maintain revenue even as individual homeowner bills decline, the state backfills the difference through the Foundation School Program.
The net effect for a $750,000 Austin homeowner with a homestead exemption is an estimated annual savings of $600–$800 compared to 2022 tax bills, assuming stable tax rates. The Prop 4 savings are permanent and compounding, they apply to every subsequent year of ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions: Travis County Property Taxes 2026
What is the effective property tax rate in Travis County for 2026?
The effective property tax rate in Travis County typically ranges from 1.8% to 2.3% of appraised value, depending on your specific location and the taxing authorities that apply. This blended rate combines levies from Austin ISD, the City of Austin, Travis County, Austin Community College, and Central Health. Properties inside Austin city limits with Austin ISD affiliation pay the highest combined rates. Properties in unincorporated Travis County outside city limits pay somewhat less, as the City of Austin levy does not apply.
How much is the homestead exemption in Travis County?
Under Proposition 4 (passed November 2023), Texas homestead exemptions now include a $100,000 school district exemption (up from $40,000). Travis County itself offers an additional 20% exemption on appraised value. The City of Austin, ACC, and Central Health each offer their own homestead reductions as well. Combined, these significantly reduce your taxable value, often saving $2,500–$5,000 or more per year depending on your home's value. Apply at traviscad.org.
What is the deadline to protest my Travis County property appraisal?
The standard protest deadline in Travis County is May 15 of each tax year, or 30 days after TCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Missing this deadline waives your right to protest for that tax year. In some years, TCAD extends the deadline due to volume or technical issues, but it is unwise to count on any extension. File as early as possible once you receive your notice.
What are my options if I disagree with TCAD's appraisal?
You have four main avenues: (1) Informal conference with a TCAD appraiser, the fastest and easiest path, resolved at the staff level; (2) Formal ARB hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, an independent citizen panel; (3) Binding arbitration for properties valued at $5M or less after an ARB loss, administered by the Texas Comptroller; and (4) District court litigation for higher-value properties or complex legal disputes. Each step requires action within specific deadlines, so track them carefully.
Do MUD taxes apply to homes in Travis County?
Municipal Utility District (MUD) taxes apply to many newer developments within Travis County, particularly in master-planned communities and suburban growth corridors in the east, southeast, and areas near Manor. MUD rates typically add 0.3% to 0.7% annually to your total tax burden, which on a $400,000 home means $1,200–$2,800 per year in additional taxes. The good news: MUD rates decrease over time as the district's infrastructure bond debt is retired. Always verify MUD applicability before purchasing new construction in Travis County.
