Austin property tax help and assistance: who handles what

Short answer

Two local offices handle different parts of a Travis County property tax question. Travis Central Appraisal District handles appraised values, ownership records, exemptions, and protests. The Travis County Tax Office handles statements, balances, payments, receipts, payment plans, and tax-account mailing addresses.

Who this is for

Austin and Travis County property owners who need to understand a bill, check an exemption, update a tax account, arrange payment, or respond to an appraised value.

Next steps

1. For a statement, balance, receipt, payment, payment plan, or tax-account mailing address, start with the Travis County Tax Office account search.
2. If paying the bill is the problem: a residence homestead can be split into four installments without penalty when each is paid on schedule, and owners who are 65 or older or have a disability can ask the Tax Office about deferring collection.
3. For appraised value, ownership, exemptions, or an application, use TCAD’s property and exemption guidance.
4. If you disagree with the appraised value, follow TCAD’s protest process and the deadline on the current official notice.
5. Save the confirmation, receipt, or filing proof, then recheck the official record instead of assuming a change was applied.

Have this ready

• The property address, tax account number, or TCAD property identifier
• The current statement, appraisal notice, exemption letter, or account screen
• Documents the official office requests for an exemption or record correction
• A saved confirmation, receipt, or protest filing record after you act

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending a bill or payment question to TCAD when the Tax Office controls the account
• Assuming a homestead exemption or tax ceiling is automatic after moving
• Paying a third party for an application TCAD accepts for free
• Treating an estimate or an old notice as the current bill or deadline

Key facts

• Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) handles appraised values, ownership records, exemptions, and protests.
• The Travis County Tax Office handles statements, balances, payments, receipts, payment plans, and tax-account mailing addresses.
• TCAD accepts exemption applications for free; do not pay a third party to file one.
• A residence homestead can be paid in four installments with no penalty when each installment is on schedule.
• Owners who are 65 or older or have a disability can defer property-tax collection through the Tax Office; a deferral pauses collection, not the tax itself.

Checked August 10, 2026 against the official source.

Common questions

Can I split a Travis County property tax bill into payments?

If the property is your residence homestead, Texas lets you pay in four installments without penalty or interest when each installment is paid on schedule. The Travis County Tax Office account page shows whether your account is set up for it.

Is there extra help if I am 65 or older or have a disability?

Yes, two kinds. TCAD handles the over-65 and disability exemptions and tax ceilings, which lower or freeze parts of the bill. The Tax Office handles deferral, which pauses collection on a homestead while interest continues to accrue. Exemption applications through TCAD are free.

Official sources

• Travis County property tax account search
• TCAD homestead exemptions
• TCAD protest process
• Travis County property tax FAQ

Last reviewed August 10, 2026 against the official source.

Related resident guides

• Austin property tax exemptions
• How to protest a Travis County appraisal
• Texas change-of-address checklist