Hays County Property Taxes

The median property tax rate in Hays County is 1.71%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Texas state median of 1.67%. With a median home value of $409,280, the typical annual property tax bill in Hays County reaches $7,200, far exceeding the national median of $2,690. Property taxes here are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which often falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions, such as those for primary residences and agricultural land. Understanding Hays County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in San Marcos or another part of Hays County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.

Last Updated June 14, 2024

Hays County Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$2,500,000

$5,000,000

Average Tax Rate

1.67%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,340

$2,192

$1,148

Average Hays County Tax Savings

Ownwell’s Hays County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Hays County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies the median tax rate in Hays County to estimate your property tax bill. This insightful tool not only helps you understand potential tax liabilities but also highlights how Ownwell can help lower property taxes in Hays County. If you’d like to see trends on a city level scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.

Property Tax Rates Across Hays County, Texas

Property taxes in Hays County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Hays County is 1.71%, which is higher than both the Texas state median of 1.6% and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Hays County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Hays County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Hays County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Texas and the national median. For comparison, the city of Kyle has one of the higher property tax rates in Texas at 1.83%, while the city of Manchaca boasts one of the lowest at 1.18%. Analyzing how Hays County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.

Property Tax Rates Across Hays County, Texas

Source: Ownwell

0.24%

1.04%

1.83%

Average Hays County Tax Rate

1.71%

Average Texas Tax Rate

1.67%

Average United States Tax Rate

0.99%

Property Tax Rates Across Hays County, Texas

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Austin	0.92%	1.34%	1.59%	1.81%	2.22%
Buda	1.33%	1.54%	1.74%	2.09%	2.61%
Cypress Mill	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%
Driftwood	0.74%	1.06%	1.22%	1.51%	1.67%
Dripping Springs	0.73%	0.98%	1.36%	1.68%	1.91%
Dripping Springs Tx	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fischer	0.87%	1.14%	1.40%	1.40%	1.47%
Henly	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Johnson City	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%
Kyle	1.45%	1.73%	1.83%	2.23%	2.23%
Manchaca	0.96%	1.10%	1.18%	1.57%	1.71%
Maxwell	1.73%	1.73%	1.73%	1.73%	1.73%
Mountain City	1.17%	1.20%	1.24%	1.35%	1.78%
New Braunfels	0.84%	1.03%	1.24%	1.42%	1.45%
Niederwald	0.84%	1.35%	1.74%	1.82%	1.82%
Round Mountain	0.89%	1.21%	1.45%	1.51%	1.51%
San Marcos	1.05%	1.41%	1.82%	1.90%	2.17%
San Marcos Tx	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
San Marcos Tx 78666	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Uhland	1.74%	1.74%	1.83%	1.83%	1.83%
Wimberley	0.81%	1.02%	1.25%	1.40%	1.40%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Hays County, Texas

In Hays County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Hays Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Hays County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Hays County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. Austin has the highest median tax bill at $13,337, while Johnson City has the lowest at $3,274.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Hays County, Texas

Source: Ownwell

$208,980

$1,442,885

$2,676,790

Average Hays County Assessed Value

$409,280

Average Texas Assessed Value

$247,950

Average United States Assessed Value

$244,900

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Hays County, Texas

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Austin	$598,240	$703,425	$852,890	$1,026,835	$1,336,398
Buda	$286,499	$365,410	$437,800	$537,615	$650,378
Cypress Mill	$2,676,790	$2,676,790	$2,676,790	$2,676,790	$2,676,790
Driftwood	$359,905	$700,990	$996,765	$1,241,168	$1,614,016
Dripping Springs	$316,680	$544,346	$773,860	$1,033,345	$1,384,107
Dripping Springs Tx	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fischer	$91,781	$455,178	$687,778	$875,865	$1,077,545
Henly	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Johnson City	$1,016,830	$1,016,830	$1,016,830	$1,016,830	$1,016,830
Kyle	$106,200	$272,410	$341,270	$397,140	$481,576
Manchaca	$323,508	$544,750	$620,324	$730,382	$855,647
Maxwell	$214,450	$278,230	$304,040	$343,500	$378,460
Mountain City	$545,006	$575,045	$623,460	$703,275	$778,600
New Braunfels	$125,212	$190,032	$279,155	$376,045	$477,192
Niederwald	$69,364	$139,995	$208,980	$286,700	$433,316
Round Mountain	$263,784	$295,492	$403,002	$573,608	$868,866
San Marcos	$90,396	$229,070	$337,450	$464,660	$651,784
San Marcos Tx	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
San Marcos Tx 78666	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Uhland	$88,478	$215,740	$399,040	$938,848	$2,687,384
Wimberley	$223,952	$376,980	$528,036	$801,220	$1,169,708

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Hays County, Texas

In Hays County, TX, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of the home, which is determined by the local appraisal district. The tax rate is then applied to this assessed value to determine the final tax bill. Factors such as property size, location, and market conditions influence the assessed value. For instance, with a median home price of $409,280, homeowners in Hays County face a range of tax bills, from the 25th percentile at $5,159 to the 90th percentile at $13,658. Comparatively, Austin has the highest median tax bill at $13,337, while Johnson City has the lowest at $3,274. High property taxes can significantly impact homeowners, making it crucial to ensure that assessments are accurate. This is where Ownwell can help. By providing expert property tax appeal and exemption services, Ownwell assists homeowners in challenging unfair assessments, potentially lowering their tax bills. This support can lead to substantial savings, ensuring that homeowners only pay their fair share.

Property Tax Bills Across Hays County, Texas

Source: Ownwell

$3,141

$11,063

$18,985

Average Hays County Tax Bill

$7,200

Average Texas Tax Bill

$3,971

Average United States Tax Bill

$2,690

Property Tax Bills Across Hays County, Texas

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Austin	$7,707	$10,606	$13,337	$16,326	$20,158
Buda	$4,576	$6,569	$8,158	$10,013	$12,043
Cypress Mill	$6,527	$6,527	$6,527	$6,527	$6,527
Driftwood	$3,380	$7,817	$11,864	$15,113	$19,550
Dripping Springs	$3,293	$6,715	$9,655	$13,548	$18,174
Dripping Springs Tx	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fischer	$875	$4,789	$7,263	$11,526	$13,666
Henly	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Johnson City	$3,274	$3,274	$3,274	$3,274	$3,274
Kyle	$1,735	$5,055	$6,618	$7,927	$9,411
Manchaca	$4,469	$6,168	$7,348	$9,058	$11,445
Maxwell	$3,637	$4,802	$5,247	$5,901	$6,407
Mountain City	$6,561	$7,137	$8,073	$9,543	$10,740
New Braunfels	$1,269	$2,272	$3,276	$4,079	$4,813
Niederwald	$978	$1,881	$3,404	$4,283	$6,358
Round Mountain	$3,293	$3,961	$4,581	$6,273	$9,522
San Marcos	$1,684	$3,699	$5,722	$7,732	$10,161
San Marcos Tx	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
San Marcos Tx 78666	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Uhland	$1,623	$3,732	$6,949	$16,468	$49,304
Wimberley	$2,594	$4,393	$6,279	$8,816	$12,474

Source: Ownwell

Want to lower your Hays County property taxes?

Looking to reduce your Hays County property taxes? Ownwell is the leading property tax protest company serving Hays County. We specialize in helping property owners in the San Marcos area and beyond lower their taxes by working directly with the Hays County Appraisal District. Through our tax monitoring service, we collect all necessary information to maximize your tax reductions. We navigate the complexities of the Hays County property tax protest process and identify all available property tax exemptions so you don’t have to. Whether you are a homeowner, a real estate investor, or an asset manager, our local team at Ownwell has the expertise to assess your current property tax situation and identify strategic opportunities for reducing your tax burden. By managing the protest process from beginning to end, we not only simplify the procedure but also increase your chances of obtaining a favorable result. Let Ownwell be your trusted partner in lowering your Hays County property tax expenses through our proven strategies and expert advocacy.

Property Tax Protests in Texas

Navigating the property tax protest process in Hays County, TX, involves several steps that homeowners can undertake to appeal their property tax assessments. The process begins when homeowners receive their property tax assessment notice, which details the assessed value of their property. If homeowners believe their assessed value is too high, they can file a protest with the Hays County Appraisal District. This protest must be filed by the deadline indicated on the notice, typically within 30 days of receiving the assessment. Once the protest is filed, homeowners will be scheduled for a hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). During this hearing, homeowners can present evidence to support their claim that the assessed value is incorrect. This evidence may include recent sales data of comparable properties, independent appraisals, or information about property condition. The ARB will review the evidence presented by both the homeowner and the appraisal district to make a determination. Potential outcomes of the protest can vary. The ARB may agree with the homeowner and lower the assessed value, which would subsequently reduce the property tax bill. Alternatively, the board may uphold the original assessment, or in some cases, they might adjust the value to a different amount based on the evidence provided. Ownwell can assist homeowners throughout this appeal process. Our team of experts can help gather necessary evidence, prepare the protest filing, and represent homeowners during the ARB hearing. By leveraging our expertise, homeowners can navigate the complex appeal process more effectively and increase their chances of achieving a favorable outcome.

Exemptions in Texas

In Hays County, Texas, homeowners have access to several property tax exemption programs aimed at reducing their tax burden. The most common exemption is the Homestead Exemption, which is available to homeowners who use their property as their primary residence. This exemption can significantly lower the assessed value of the home, resulting in lower property taxes. Additionally, Hays County offers exemptions for seniors aged 65 and older, as well as for disabled individuals. These exemptions provide further reductions in assessed value, offering substantial relief to those who qualify. Veterans with disabilities may also be eligible for an exemption, which can vary based on the degree of their disability. To apply for these exemptions, homeowners must submit an application to the Hays County Appraisal District, along with any required documentation proving eligibility. This process can be complex and time-consuming, but Ownwell is here to help. Our team of experts can guide homeowners through the application process, ensuring that all paperwork is correctly completed and submitted on time. By leveraging Ownwell’s expertise, homeowners can maximize their savings and take full advantage of the available property tax exemptions in Hays County. Whether it's the Homestead Exemption or specialized exemptions for seniors, disabled individuals, or veterans, Ownwell is committed to helping you reduce your property tax burden.

Available Exemptions