Austin 2025 Property Tax Deadline: What Homeowners in Travis, Williamson, Hays & Caldwell Need to Know

The 2025 property tax deadline is almost here for Austin‑area homeowners, and missing it can get expensive fast. If you own in Travis, Williamson, Hays, or Caldwell County, now is the time to double‑check your bill so February does not surprise you.

Key 2025 Property Tax Deadline for Greater Austin

In most of Texas—including Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Caldwell counties—2025 property taxes are due by January 31, 2026. If payment is not received by that date, your account becomes delinquent on February 1 and penalties and interest begin to accrue under Texas law. For many Austin homeowners, this bill covers properties in and around Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Manor, Hutto, Leander, Buda, Kyle, and Lockhart.

Recent changes to Texas property tax law, including the increase of the homestead exemption and rate compression, do provide meaningful relief to many owner‑occupants. However, every property’s bill will still look different based on the county appraisal value, local tax rates, and whether your exemptions were correctly applied. That is why it is important not to assume your taxes went down—always verify your actual bill.

Don’t Forget: Homestead vs. Investment Property

If you own both a primary residence and one or more investment properties in Greater Austin, review each tax bill separately instead of assuming they are treated the same. Homestead exemptions apply only to the primary residence that you have properly designated; they do not apply to rental homes, second homes, or other investment properties. Confusing the two can lead to unpaid balances and avoidable penalties, especially for investors with doors in multiple counties.

For non‑homestead properties under certain value thresholds, Texas has also introduced a temporary cap on how fast appraised values can increase, but again, this plays out differently for each property and school district. If you are not sure whether your homestead exemption is on file or applied correctly for your Austin‑area home, it is a good idea to check directly with the appraisal district or tax office, or consult with a tax professional familiar with Texas property law.

How to Pay in Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Caldwell Counties

Here are the main online payment hubs for the Austin metro’s core counties, where you can search your property, confirm what you owe, and pay securely:

• Travis County (Austin, parts of Pflugerville, Manor, etc.): Online payment methods and links are available through the Travis County Tax Office website. https://tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/properties/taxes/payment-methods/online
  
• Williamson County (Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, parts of Leander, and some Pflugerville areas): The county’s property tax page outlines payment options, deadlines, and installment details. https://www.wilco.org/propertytax
  
• Hays County (Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, and surrounding areas): The county tax site provides online payment access for 2025 bills. https://tax.co.hays.tx.us/
  
• Caldwell County (Lockhart and nearby communities): The county appraisal/tax site offers property search and payment instructions. https://caldwellcad.org/pay-taxes/
  

Homeowners who qualify for and have enrolled in a quarterly installment plan typically have their first installment due January 31, with remaining installments spread through the year according to county rules. Those plans are usually available only to specific categories, such as over‑65 or disabled homeowners with a homestead exemption, so be sure to confirm your eligibility with the tax office or your tax advisor rather than assuming you are enrolled.

If your mortgage is escrowed and the escrow balance is sufficient, your loan servicer will generally pay the property tax bill on your behalf, but it is still wise to log in to your county’s website and verify that the payment posted. A quick check can prevent surprises if there is a shortage in your escrow account or a change in the tax amount.

A Reminder From a Local Broker Associate

As a broker associate working across Austin and suburbs like Round Rock, Pflugerville, Manor, Hutto, and Leander, this time of year always brings the same pattern: some homeowners are surprised by their bill, some are unsure whether their homestead exemption is on file, and a few do not realize they are late until penalties start adding up. To avoid that stress, treat January 31 as a non‑negotiable date on your calendar and use the county links to confirm your status now.