Question 1

How do I find my property tax rate?

Accepted Answer

Enter your property address in the TaxDrop Property Tax Calculator. The tool will identify your county, city, school district, and any special taxing districts, then display each unit's tax rate and your total effective property tax rate.

Question 2

What is a taxing unit in property tax?

Accepted Answer

A taxing unit is any government entity authorized to levy property taxes. Common taxing units include the county, city or municipality, school district, community college district, hospital district, and special districts such as water control or municipal utility districts (MUDs). Each unit sets its own tax rate, and your total property tax bill is the sum of all applicable rates applied to your property's assessed value.

Question 3

How is property tax calculated?

Accepted Answer

Property tax is calculated by multiplying your property's assessed (taxable) value by the combined tax rate of all applicable taxing units. For example, if your home is assessed at $300,000 and your total tax rate is 2.1%, your annual property tax bill would be $6,300. Each taxing unit — county, school district, city, etc. — contributes a portion of that total rate.

Question 4

What is the average property tax rate in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The average effective property tax rate in Texas is approximately 1.6% to 2.5% depending on the county and city. Texas has no state income tax, so local governments rely more heavily on property taxes. Harris County (Houston), Dallas County, and Travis County (Austin) tend to have rates in the 2.0%–2.5% range.

Question 5

What is the average property tax rate in California?

Accepted Answer

California's base property tax rate is capped at 1% of assessed value under Proposition 13, but local voter-approved bonds and special assessments typically add 0.1% to 0.5%, bringing the effective rate to approximately 1.1% to 1.5% in most counties.

Question 6

Can I protest or appeal my property tax assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In Texas, homeowners can file a property tax protest with their county appraisal district each year, typically between January 1 and May 15. In California, homeowners can file an assessment appeal with their county assessment appeals board. TaxDrop handles the entire process for homeowners in Texas and California on a contingency basis — you only pay 25% of what is saved.

Question 7

What is the school district tax rate and why is it so high?

Accepted Answer

The school district tax rate is typically the largest single component of your property tax bill, often accounting for 40%–60% of the total rate. School districts use property tax revenue to fund public K-12 education, including teacher salaries, facilities, and operations. In Texas, the state mandates a minimum school district tax rate, and local districts may add additional levies for maintenance and operations or debt service.

Question 8

How often do property tax rates change?

Accepted Answer

Property tax rates are typically set annually by each taxing unit. In Texas, appraisal districts certify values and taxing units adopt their rates each fall (October–November). In California, the base rate is fixed at 1% under Proposition 13, but voter-approved bonds can change the total effective rate. Property values, however, can change every year, which directly affects your tax bill even if the rate stays the same.

What's your property tax rate?