Residents in Collin County, Texas, have experienced surging home values over the past five years, resulting in higher property tax bills. The average value of a Collin County home is $599,916. The market increased by 31.03% in 2022, 14.90% in 2023, and 4.75% in 2024. Once a market value and an appraisal are raised, increases in valuation impact all later appraisals as well. Learn what steps you can take to lower your property taxes in Collin County, including applying for a Texas homestead exemption.
Who Sets Property Taxes in Collin County?
Collin Central Appraisal District is responsible for assessing Collin County property taxes. Your property tax bill is based in part on your home's overall appraised value. Using tax rates set by local taxing units like school districts and county commissions, the appraisal district figures your tax liability by multiplying the value of your home with the tax rate.
Since Collin Central Appraisal District is responsible for setting home values, it's also tasked with setting property taxes. You can find appraisal information for residential properties by conducting a Collin County property tax search.
Understanding Property Tax Exemptions
Qualifying Texas residents can apply for a Collin County homestead exemption to save on property taxes. Exemptions reduce the appraisal amount of your home for the purpose of determining tax liability. To qualify, you must claim ownership interest in the property, demonstrate that it's your primary residence, and reside there by January 1 of the tax year.
Texas homeowners are eligible for a $100,000 general homestead exemption on their school district's taxes. Under this exemption, a house appraised at $600,000 is only taxed at $500,000 of its value. Other qualifying exemptions stack on top of the general homestead exemption for additional savings, and some may even result in a 100% exemption.
Over 65 or disabled: An additional $10,000 from local school district taxes
Over 65 or disabled (if offered): Minimum $3,000 from the local taxing unit
100% disabled veteran: 100% of property value
Disabled veteran with home donated by a charitable organization: Exemption amount determined by a federal service-connected disability rating
Surviving spouse of a U.S. armed services member killed in action: 100% of property value
Surviving spouse of a first responder killed in the line of duty: 100% of property value
Farm-to-market roads or flood control (if collected): $3,000
Agricultural Valuation
You may qualify for an agricultural valuation if your residential property serves agricultural purposes such as soil cultivation, growing crops, or raising livestock. This isn't technically an exemption. Instead, appraisal assesses land based on agricultural value rather than market value, which can lower your tax liability. Eligible property owners should apply between January 1 and May 1.
To qualify, you must be able to show that the land:
Is used primarily for agricultural purposes (for at least five of the past seven years or five of the last five within city limits)
Meets the county's requirements for agricultural use
Produces at the capacity required for agricultural valuation
The Property Tax Assessment Process
The residential tax assessment process in Collin County begins when the appraisal district sets property market values in January. Once property values are assessed, local entities determine tax rates based on budgetary needs. Rates are expressed as cents on every $100 of assessed property value. For example, a home valued at $100,000 with a $0.015 tax rate owes $1,500 annually in property taxes.
During the fiscal year (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), Collin County commissioners voted to maintain a tax rate of $0.149 cents per $100 of a home's value. They also voted for no new revenue tax rate to counterbalance soaring property appraisals in Collin County.
Even though the tax rate remained static, the average home appraisal increased, causing residents' tax bills to rise anyway. Fortunately, Collin County is in Texas, which has a 10% appraisal increase cap. This means the county cannot raise a property's value more than 10% in a given tax year, minus any recent improvements or upgrades to the home.
To calculate your tax bill, multiply your property's appraised value, minus any homestead exemptions, by each applicable taxing entity's rate, and add the results. Alternatively, simplify the process by calculating your bill using our Collin County property tax calculator.
Example: A home valued at $500,000 with a combined tax rate of 1.49% = $500,000 x 0.0149 = $6,913 in annual property taxes.
Key Dates
January 1:
Collin County Appraisal District sets property market values for the year based on recent sales of similar properties, residential improvements, and other factors. The county relies heavily on a mass appraisal technique.
~April 15:
Collin County mails Notice of Appraised Value to property owners.
April 30:
The deadline is to file for homestead exemptions with the Collin County Appraisal District for the current tax year. When mailed before March 15, approved exemptions appear on your Notice of Appraised Value. Otherwise, exemptions are posted when approved.
Know that you need to show that you lived at the property as your primary residence as of January 1, as well as provide proof of qualification for any other exemptions you're claiming. You may be able to claim partial property tax exemptions if you purchased your home after January 1, as long as the previous owner didn't already claim the general homestead exemption.
May 15 (or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed):
The deadline is to file a protest of the appraised value of your property with the Collin County Appraisal District.
October 1:
Property taxes are assessed for the tax year and are due by the following January 31.
Payment Deadlines & Penalties
Pay your property taxes on or before January 31 of the year following the tax year in question to avoid paying interest or penalties. For example, 2025 tax year payments are due by January 31, 2026. Unpaid Collin County, TX property tax begins to accrue interest on February 1.
The Property Tax Protest Process
If you disagree with your property assessment, you can file a protest and seek to lower your Texas property taxes by following these steps:
Complete a Notice of Protest Form (Form 50-132) with reasons you are protesting the property valuation and return it to the Collin Central Appraisal District online, by mail, or in person.
Provide evidence that your property's assessment is unfairly valued, including:
-Comparative market analysis, repair estimates, incorrect property record information -Misclassification of property features
You can resolve the dispute with an informal appeal before the Collin County Appraisal District, which can lower your assessed value to an agreeable amount.
If you think your appraisal is still too high following an informal hearing, you can request a formal hearing before an Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB will review the evidence and decide to either lower your property tax bill or stand by the appraisal from the informal hearing.
Lastly, you can appeal an unfavorable decision from an ARB in district court or through binding arbitration with a third party. You'll likely need an attorney to help with your appeal. The decision of the district court or arbitrator is final.
Rights of Property Owners Under Texas Law
Texas property laws are governed by a Property Taxpayers' Bill of Rights. As a taxpayer in Collin County, you have the right to:
Have your property appraised uniformly with other similar properties
Have your property appraised according to accepted appraisal methods (market comparison, replacement cost, or revenue generation)
Receive exemptions and tax relief applied for in a timely manner
Notice of property value increases and exemption changes
Request and inspect non-confidential information used to appraise your property
Protest your property's appraised value before your county appraisal district and then an appraisal review board (if needed)
Appeal an appraisal review board's decision in district court
Receive fair treatment from all parties involved during the protest process
Voice your opinion and ask questions at public meetings regarding proposed tax rates
A notice of assessed value and taxes due
Petition local taxing units to limit tax increases
Receive a free copy of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet
Enlisting the Help of a Property Tax Consultant
Navigating the complexities of property tax assessments can be daunting. While some homeowners choose to protest their valuations independently, partnering with seasoned companies like Ownwell can significantly enhance your chances of success.
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