Property Tax Glossary Term:

Tax Statement

The bill showing your property taxes due—different from your assessment notice.

What is  

Tax Statement

?

A tax statement (or tax bill) is the document showing the actual property taxes you owe for the year. It's sent by your county tax collector, not the appraisal district, and arrives after values are finalized and tax rates are set.

Don't confuse it with your Notice of Appraised Value, which shows your assessed value earlier in the year. The notice comes in spring (April-May in Texas) and shows your value. The tax statement comes in fall (October-November) and shows your bill.

By the time you receive your tax statement, the protest period has passed. You can't challenge your value based on the tax statement alone.

Why it Matters for Your Taxes

Your tax statement is the final bill—but understanding it helps you plan for next year:

Use your tax statement to:

• Verify exemptions were applied correctly

• See breakdown by taxing entity

• Calculate your effective tax rate

• Estimate next year's bill

• Identify savings opportunities for next protest

Important dates (Texas):

• October-November: Statements mailed

• January 31: Payment deadline

• February 1: Taxes become delinquent

If your bill seems high, you can't change THIS year's value. But you can prepare to protest NEXT year's assessment when notices arrive in spring.

Protest next year's value

Example

What's on your tax statement:

Property information:

• Account number and legal description

• Property address

• Assessed/taxable value

Tax calculation:

• Value × rate for each taxing entity

• Exemptions applied

• Total taxes due

Payment information:

• Amount due

• Due date (January 31 in Texas)

• Payment options

• Penalty schedule for late payment

Example:

Taxable value: $320,000

School district (1.2%): $3,840

County (0.4%): $1,280

City (0.3%): $960

Total due: $6,080

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Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive my tax statement?

In Texas, tax statements are mailed in October or November, after taxing entities adopt their budgets and rates. California sends statements in the fall as well. Contact your county tax collector if you don't receive one—you're still responsible for paying on time.

Can I protest after receiving my tax statement?

No. The protest deadline is based on your Notice of Appraised Value (spring), not your tax statement (fall). By the time bills arrive, the current year's value is final. You'll need to wait and protest next year's value when notices are mailed.

What if I didn't receive a tax statement?

Contact your county tax collector immediately. Not receiving a statement doesn't excuse late payment—you're still responsible for taxes and penalties. The collector can provide a copy or confirm your amount due. Also verify your mailing address is correct in county records.