Bexar County, Texas, is home to more than 2 million people and, as of February 2025, has a higher-than-average property tax rate than surrounding jurisdictions. Our research found that households across Texas, particularly in Bexar County, are paying excessive property taxes and how to fix the problem.
At Ownwell, we understand the frustration of high San Antonio property taxes. We aim to help our customers properly assess their Bexar County property tax and maximize ways to decrease it.
Overview of Property Taxes in Bexar County
Property taxes fund many community services, such as:
Fire departments
Police departments
School districts
Libraries
Water and sewer departments
Road construction and repairs
Each county entity charges a different tax rate on the assessed value of a property, with school districts usually charging the highest rate.
Property and homeowners can pay their property taxes in Bexar County, Texas, online, and the county offers payment plans. To offset the tax liability of property owners before they pay, some counties offer exemptions and credits to those who qualify. After determining how your Bexar County property taxes are calculated, learn what exemptions you qualify for and how to get them.
How Property Taxes Are Calculated
Assuming there are no exemptions or credits, the county calculates property taxes on the assessed value of the property. The county Tax Assessor-Collector determines that value based on the current market values. Then, your exemptions are taken into account, which reduces the assessed value. That number is then divided by 100 and multiplied by the tax rate for each entity. The total result is your yearly property tax bill.
Many Texas counties offer exemptions. While these exemptions can lower your property taxes, they don’t devalue your home. They only affect its value for the purposes of the tax calculation.
Understanding the Homestead Exemption
To qualify for General Residence Homestead Exemptions in Bexar County, you must use the home as your primary residential property and not claim exemptions on other properties as your permanent home. The general homestead exemption in Bexar County can be up to 20% of the market valuation of your home, and you can stack additional exemptions on top if you qualify.
Types of Property Tax Exemptions in Bexar County
Exemptions to lower Texas property taxes may be available for residents who live within the county, are senior citizens, or are disabled. Below are the most common homested exemptions.
General Exemptions
Residence homestead owners who qualify are given a $100,000 exemption for school district taxes. To qualify for the general residential exemption, you must live on the property as your primary residence and fill out an application. You only have to apply for this exemption once unless you move or the chief appraiser requests a new application.
Disability Exemptions
Another exemption is available if you qualify for disability benefits under the Social Security Administration’s Federal Old-Age Survivor and Disability Insurance Program or have a doctor’s statement stating you are unable to obtain or engage in gainful employment. Eligible homeowners receive an extra $10,000 exemption for school district taxes.
Senior Citizen Exemptions
If you are 65 or older and live in the property as your primary residence, you may also qualify for a senior citizen exemption. This exemption is for an additional $10,000 and applies to school district taxes, but note that you may not be able to stack this exemption with the disabled persons exemption.
This exemption can also apply to the surviving spouse of a homeowner over 65. The only qualifications are that you must be 55 at the time of the homeowner’s death, live in and own the home, and apply for the exemption on your own after the death.
Although you can't stack the disability and senior citizen exemptions, you can add each one to the general homestead exemption for a total of $150,000 off your appraised value.
How To Apply for Property Tax Exemptions
You can apply for property tax exemptions directly through the Bexar Appraisal District over the phone, by email, or online. If you’re approved, the exemption will be forwarded to the Appraisal District.
Navigating the Property Tax Process
The Bexar Appraisal District does valuations for personal property taxes in Bexar County, Texas. Once they’ve determined the value of your property, they apply any exemptions you qualify for and then calculate your tax bill.
You should receive a tax statement with instructions on how to pay. Contact the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office or try a Bexar County property tax search if you have special circumstances or questions.
How To Protest Property Taxes in Bexar County
If you disagree with the assessed value of your home, you can protest your property taxes in Bexar County. After you receive your notice of appraised value, you may file a protest online, by mail, or in person.
There is an informal process where you receive a settlement offer from your appraisal district after you file evidence proving the assessed value was too high. You can do a Bexar County tax office property search to find comparable properties to lower your value or hire an appraiser to complete an official valuation before you accept any settlement.
If you choose not to accept the settlement offer, the next step is to meet with the Bexar Appraisal Review Board (ARB). This group of independent citizens has the power to hear testimony, review evidence, and settle protests. This allows both the property owners and the appraisal districts to present evidence to support their determined value.
After this hearing, the ARB makes a decision. If you still don’t agree with the outcome, you can move forward to the District Court or binding arbitration. However, we recommend an attorney if you escalate your protest to this level.
Deadlines for Applications and Payments
You should receive your assessed value statement around April 15th. If you want to protest it, you must submit the application by May 15th or within 30 days of receiving your tax statements, whichever is later.
Property taxes are due in October of each year and must be paid by January 31st of the next year. As of February 1, they are considered delinquent and subject to heavy interest and fines that accrue monthly.
Implications of Unpaid Property Taxes
If taxes become delinquent, the state can surrender them for collection as of July 1st and charge a 15-20% collection fee.
If you can't pay your taxes at once, there are payment plans. The four-month payment plan splits the amount into quarterly payments. It's available to those who occupy a residence homestead, are considered totally disabled, or are disabled and over 65.
If you have a disabled person, age 65 or over, a disabled veteran, or a surviving spouse exemption, you qualify for a 10-month payment plan.
Reduce Your Property Taxes by Protesting
Protesting the assessed value of your property doesn’t decrease the market value, which is the amount you could sell the house for. The assessed value is usually lower than the market value and is the amount used to calculate your taxes and exemptions.
Even if you don't qualify for an exemption, you can still appeal your tax bill. The property tax appeals process is free through the county and presents little risk to you since a failed appeal cannot increase your property taxes.
It’s also important to remember that if your property tax bill is mailed to your mortgage company for payment, the county doesn't have to send you a copy. Check with your mortgage company to ensure that you agree with the assessed value before you pay.
Protest With Professionals for Best Results
In 2025, Texas state lawmakers want to lower taxes for homeowners and businesses but disagree on where to give the biggest cuts. One proposal is to raise the homestead exemption to $140,000 from $100,000.
In Bexar County, the appraisal district also intends to freeze 2026 values. This means that market values will be the same as those in 2025. However, assessed values could still change. If you protest your property taxes in 2025 and get a reduction, there won't be an increase in the market value unless you've made significant improvements that increase the property value. As of 2026, the county will appraise property biannually or every two years in odd-numbered years.
However, as property values rise in Bexar County, so do your taxes. Take advantage of every exemption you qualify for and protest opportunity you have to decrease your taxable amount. Let Ownwell protest with the best software, evidence, and local tax experts.
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