Bexar County Property Tax Guide: Pay, Search, Due Dates & Exemptions
Bexar County property taxes are easier to handle when you separate the two main offices. The Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector handles tax bills, payments, due dates, payment plans, refunds and delinquent tax questions. Bexar Central Appraisal District handles property values, ownership records, exemptions, appraisal notices and protests.
Use this guide to understand the steps before you open an official portal. You will still use official Bexar County or BCAD pages for final actions like paying, filing an exemption, submitting a protest, checking a receipt, or confirming a legal deadline.
Quick Answer
To pay Bexar County property tax, start with the Bexar County Tax Office property tax search. Confirm the 12-digit tax account number, tax year, balance, due date, mortgage or escrow status, and payment history. Then pay by free eCheck, credit card with convenience fee, phone payment, mail, in-person option, or approved payment plan.
| Need | Correct Office | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pay property tax | Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector | This office collects taxes, posts payments, handles statements, and answers payment questions. |
| Search property value | Bexar Central Appraisal District | BCAD sets appraised value, ownership records, exemptions, notices and protests. |
| File homestead exemption | BCAD Online Services Portal | Exemption applications are filed with the appraisal district, not the Tax Office. |
| Protest assessed value | BCAD / Appraisal Review Board | Payment staff cannot lower your appraised value or change an appraisal notice. |
Before You Pay: 7 Checks That Prevent Most Problems
Do not rush directly into the payment screen. A few checks can prevent duplicate payments, wrong-account payments, late penalties, escrow confusion, and missed exemption problems.
Bexar County Property Tax Search
Use the Tax Office search when you need tax statements, balances, payment status, refunds, e-statements, or payment tools. Use BCAD when you need appraised value, property characteristics, ownership details, exemptions, notices, maps, or protest tools.
- Open the Bexar County property tax search portal.
- Search by account, owner, property address, or available search option.
- Confirm the property before selecting a payment link.
- Review balance, tax year, due date, penalties, payment history, and statement details.
- Save or print the statement if you need it for escrow, records, or mail payment.
- Open the Bexar Central Appraisal District property search.
- Search by name, address, or property ID.
- Review appraised value, exemptions, ownership, property details, and notices.
- Use the online services portal if you need to file an exemption or protest.
- Remember that BCAD does not accept property tax payments.
| Search Tool | Best For | Do Not Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| Bexar Tax Office search | Tax bill, statement, payment status, balance, payment history, refunds, and e-statement tools. | Changing appraised value or filing a value protest. |
| BCAD property search | Appraised value, ownership, property details, exemptions, maps, notices, and protest preparation. | Paying the actual tax bill. |
| BCAD online services | Residential homestead exemption filing, Notice of Protest, online notices, and owner/agent services. | Confirming final payment receipt from the Tax Office. |
How to Pay Bexar County Property Tax
Bexar County offers online payment by major credit card or electronic check, plus phone and other payment routes. Online payments can take several business days to process, but the payment is posted as of the online transaction date when completed correctly.
| Payment Option | What to Know | Micro Steps | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free eCheck | Bexar County says there is no charge for eCheck payments. You need your 12-digit tax account number, checking account number, and routing number. | Search account → choose eCheck → enter bank details → confirm amount → save confirmation email. | Pay online/by phone |
| Credit card | Credit card payments are processed through JetPay/NCR with a 2.10% convenience charge. | Search account → review card fee → enter card details → save confirmation and receipt. | Card payment info |
| Phone payment | Phone payments may be made by calling 1-888-852-3572 with the 12-digit tax account number and payment details. | Prepare account number → call payment line → confirm amount → write down confirmation. | Phone payment info |
| Mail or in person | Use the statement and correct account details. USPS postmark is used for timeliness of mailed payments. | Print statement → include correct payment → mail early or visit an office → keep proof. | Tax Office |
| Payment plan | Bexar County has half-payment, quarter-payment, and a 10-month plan for qualifying homeowners. | Check eligibility → follow deadline schedule → keep every installment receipt. | Payment plan FAQ |
Important: Do not assume a payment has posted just because money left your bank account. Recheck the Tax Office account after processing time and save the official payment status for your records.
Bexar County Property Tax Due Dates
Bexar County property tax statements usually begin mailing in October. Unless a split or quarter payment rule applies, property taxes are due by January 31 of the year after the tax year. If January 31 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, Texas deadline rules may move the deadline to the next regular business day.
- Open the Bexar County Tax Calendar.
- Confirm the correct tax year.
- Check whether you are paying in full, half-payment, quarter-payment, or a 10-month plan.
- Confirm postmark rules if mailing payment.
- Check payment status before assuming your account is clear.
| Deadline Type | Official Timing | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Tax statement mailing | Tax statement mailing begins in October. | Watch mail, but also check online if the bill does not arrive. |
| Pay in full | Last day to pay 2025 tax bill without penalty and interest: January 31, 2026, extended to the next business day when applicable. | Confirm live balance and pay before the deadline. |
| Half-payment first half | First half-payment due by November 30 of the tax year. | Pay at least one-half of current-year base tax by the first deadline. |
| Half-payment second half | Second half-payment due by June 30 of the following year. | Pay remaining amount on time to avoid penalty and interest. |
| Quarter-payment plan | Common schedule: January 31, March 31, May 31, and July 31, with date extensions when applicable. | Use this only if you qualify and track each installment. |
Bexar County Payment Plans
Bexar County highlights multiple payment plan options. These plans can help taxpayers avoid paying everything at once, but they have strict rules and deadlines. Missing an installment can create penalty, interest, or collection problems.
| Plan | Who May Use It | Payment Schedule | Key Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Payment | Taxpayers paying current-year base tax in two equal installments. | At least one-half by November 30; remaining amount by June 30. | Use the correct amount shown on the original tax bill. |
| 4-Payment Plan | Residential homestead owners who qualify as disabled, age 65 or older, or totally disabled under SSI rules. | January 31, March 31, May 31, and July 31. | Late quarter payments can trigger penalty and interest. |
| 10-Month Payment Plan | Residential homestead owners with disabled, age 65 or over, disabled veteran, or qualifying surviving spouse exemptions. | Ten equal installments from October through July. | November enrollment may require 20% down for October and November payments. |
| Past due arrangement | Taxpayers trying to avoid additional attorney fees on past due taxes. | Follow current Tax Office deadlines and arrangement rules. | Do not wait until collection fees are added. |
Deadline warning: Failure to receive a reminder does not extend a payment plan deadline. Put every installment date on your calendar and recheck the Tax Office account after each payment posts.
Missing Tax Statement, Duplicate Bill or e-Statement
Bexar County says failure to receive a tax statement does not change the validity of the tax, penalty, interest, due date, tax lien, or collection procedure. If the bill is missing, search the account online or contact the Information Center.
- Open the Bexar County property tax search.
- Search by account, owner, or property details.
- Open the current tax statement or account balance.
- Check mortgage-company status if your taxes are escrowed.
- Contact the Tax Office at 210-335-2251 if you need help or a duplicate statement.
Escrow note: If a mortgage company is supposed to pay your taxes, the statement may also be sent to the mortgage company. You may forward your tax statement to the company if taxes are paid from escrow.
Bexar County Tax Rates and Why Your Bill Changed
The final property tax bill is not based on one simple countywide number. Bexar County property taxes can include county, flood control, college, hospital, city, school district, river authority, emergency service district, municipal utility district, or special district taxes depending on location.
The Tax Office collects taxes using values and exemptions certified by the appraisal district and rates adopted by each taxing jurisdiction. If your value, exemptions, tax rate, or school district changed, your bill may change even if you paid on time last year.
| Bill Factor | Who Controls It | What To Check |
|---|---|---|
| Appraised value | Bexar Central Appraisal District | Market value, property details, square footage, condition, ownership, and protest status. |
| Exemptions | BCAD determines eligibility; taxing units apply exemption amounts. | Homestead, over-65, disabled, disabled veteran, surviving spouse, and local option exemptions. |
| Tax rates | County, city, school district, hospital, college, flood control, and other taxing units. | The official tax rate chart for your property’s taxing jurisdictions. |
| Payment status | Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector | Posted payments, escrow payments, pending eCheck, penalties, interest, and receipts. |
- Open the official tax rates and exemptions page.
- Find your taxing units and codes.
- Compare the rates and exemption amounts that apply to your property.
- Use BCAD if the appraised value or exemption status appears wrong.
- Use the Tax Office if the payment, receipt, or balance appears wrong.
Bexar County Property Tax Exemptions
Exemption applications are filed with Bexar Central Appraisal District. BCAD explains that Texas has locally assessed property taxes and that exemptions can remove a fixed dollar amount or percentage of a qualifying property’s appraised value from taxation.
The general exemption filing deadline is before May 1. Some exemptions may have special rules, late-filing rules, supporting documents, or annual requirements. Always confirm the specific form and deadline for your exemption type.
- Open the BCAD Online Services Portal.
- Register or sign in using the owner/agent ID and PIN from your appraisal notice if required.
- Choose the exemption application or form that applies to your situation.
- Upload required proof, such as ID, residency proof, age proof, disability documents, or veteran documentation.
- Check the county tax bill later to confirm the exemption was applied.
| Exemption Type | Who Should Review | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Residence Homestead | Owners who occupy the property as their principal residence. | School districts provide a residence homestead exemption; local taxing units may offer local option exemptions. |
| Over 65 | Homeowners age 65 or older. | May support additional exemption amounts, tax ceilings, or payment plan eligibility. |
| Disabled Person | Homeowners with qualifying disability status. | May support exemption relief and 4-payment or 10-month plan eligibility. |
| Disabled Veteran | Veterans with qualifying service-connected disability rating. | Relief varies by disability rating and local rules. |
| Surviving Spouse | Qualifying surviving spouses of certain eligible owners, veterans, or first responders. | Rules depend on the exemption type, age, remarriage, and continued residence. |
ID warning: For a residence homestead exemption, the address on required identification generally must match the property address unless a legal exception applies.
Bexar County Appraisal Protest and Appeal
If your problem is the appraised value, ownership record, property details, or exemption status, use BCAD instead of the Tax Office. The Tax Office collects based on certified values and exemptions; it does not set your market value.
Bexar County’s official property tax information says the general protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later. Do not wait for a tax bill if the issue is your appraised value.
- Open BCAD’s Online Services Portal.
- Register with the owner/agent ID and PIN from your appraisal notice if required.
- Review your value, property details, exemptions, and notice information.
- Submit the Notice of Protest before the deadline.
- Upload evidence such as photos, repair estimates, comparable sales, closing documents, or incorrect property data.
Incorrect square footage, building features, land size, condition, or classification can affect value.
Photos, inspections, repair estimates, and damage records can support a lower value.
Recent sales of similar nearby properties can help support your protest.
Sometimes the bill feels high because the exemption is missing, not because the value is wrong.
Refunds, Overpayments, Delinquent Taxes and Tax Certificates
Refund issues can happen when a taxpayer pays twice, a mortgage company also pays, an exemption is corrected, or a prior-year account changes. Bexar County’s tax portal includes refund search links, and the Tax Office can help with account-specific questions.
- Search your property tax account.
- Review payment history and posted payments.
- Compare owner payment, escrow payment, and refund search results.
- Keep receipts, bank records, tax statement, and escrow documents together.
- Contact the Tax Office if the account shows an overpayment or missing payment.
| Issue | What It Means | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate payment | Owner and mortgage company may both have paid. | Check payment history and refund tools before calling. |
| Delinquent account | Unpaid taxes can trigger penalty, interest, attorney fees, or collection steps. | Search account, confirm tax year, and contact the Tax Office quickly. |
| Tax certificate | A document showing current tax status and delinquent penalties/interest when applicable. | Request through the Tax Office; official FAQ lists a $10 certificate fee. |
| Manufactured home lien | Texas rules can restrict transfer until perfected tax liens are satisfied and released. | Contact the Tax Office assessing department for release instructions. |
Mortgage Escrow, New Buyers and Sold Property
Bexar County’s FAQ explains that if a tax bill is mailed to the authorized mortgage agent, a separate bill does not have to be mailed to the owner. As a courtesy, statements may be mailed to the mortgage company and owner of record.
If you bought or sold property, remember that Texas tax liability is tied to ownership on January 1 of the tax year, and the lien follows the property. Review closing papers, escrow statements, credits, exemptions, and posted payments before assuming the bill is handled.
Forward the statement to your mortgage company if needed and verify that the payment posted before the deadline.
Compare the tax account with your closing statement, seller credits, escrow setup, and exemption status.
Update ownership and mailing details where needed so statements, notices, and refund letters reach the right place.
Review January 1 ownership, closing proration, and tax lien rules before ignoring a statement.
Common Bexar County Property Tax Mistakes to Avoid
Most property tax problems come from using the wrong office, missing a deadline, or paying before checking the account details.
Search live account status before paying because balances, penalties, escrow payments, and corrections can change.
Value protests and exemptions go through BCAD, not the Tax Assessor-Collector payment office.
Taxes become delinquent after the legal deadline unless a valid plan or deadline extension applies.
Failure to receive a statement does not remove the tax, penalty, interest, lien, due date, or collection procedure.
Credit card payments include a processing charge; eCheck is the no-charge online option listed by the county.
BCAD says exemption or protest deadlines are not extended while waiting for online portal PIN access.
Documents to Keep
Good records make payment disputes, escrow problems, exemptions, appraisal protests, refunds, and delinquent tax questions easier to solve.
Tax account number, statement, confirmation email, receipt, bank record, check image, postmark proof, and payment-status screenshot.
Driver license or state ID, proof of occupancy, age proof, disability proof, veteran documents, and application confirmation.
Appraisal notice, comparable sales, repair estimates, photos, inspection reports, closing statement, and property data corrections.
Mortgage statement, escrow analysis, lender tax payment proof, closing disclosure, seller credit, and county posted-payment status.
Bexar County Tax Office Contact and Map
For property tax payment, statement, payment plan, delinquent balance, refund, or receipt questions, contact the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector. For appraised value, exemption, ownership, protest, or property data questions, contact BCAD.
| Office | Address / Phone | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector | Vista Verde Plaza Building, 233 N. Pecos La Trinidad, San Antonio, TX 78207. Phone: 210-335-2251. | Bills, payments, plans, receipts, refunds, delinquent tax and account balance. |
| Bexar Central Appraisal District | 411 North Frio Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. Customer Service: 210-242-2432. | Values, exemptions, ownership, notices, maps, online protests and appraisal records. |
Related Property Tax Guides on This Site
These internal guides can help you understand property tax basics before using the official Bexar County or BCAD tools.
Official Bexar County Property Tax Links
Use these official links only when you are ready to complete the final action, such as paying, searching the official account, filing an exemption, submitting a protest, or confirming a deadline.
Bexar County Property Tax FAQs
Where do I pay Bexar County property taxes?
Use the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector’s official payment page or property tax search portal. BCAD does not accept property tax payments.
Can I pay Bexar County property tax online?
Yes. Bexar County allows online payment by free eCheck or credit card. Credit card payments include a convenience charge.
What do I need to pay online?
You generally need your 12-digit tax account number. For eCheck, you also need checking account and routing information.
Is eCheck free in Bexar County?
Bexar County states there is no charge for electronic check payments through its authorized payment processor.
What is the Bexar County credit card fee?
The official payment page lists a 2.10% convenience charge for credit card payments processed through JetPay/NCR.
When are Bexar County property taxes due?
Taxes are due in October and must generally be paid by January 31. If the deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day rule may apply.
What happens if I do not receive a tax statement?
Failure to receive a statement does not affect the tax, penalty, interest, due date, tax lien, or collection process. Search online or contact the Tax Office.
Who handles Bexar County homestead exemptions?
Bexar Central Appraisal District handles exemption applications. The Tax Office uses certified values and exemptions to calculate bills.
What is the general exemption filing deadline?
BCAD explains that the general exemption application deadline is before May 1, though specific exemption rules may vary.
How do I protest my Bexar County appraisal?
Use the BCAD Online Services Portal to submit a Notice of Protest. The general deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.
Can the Tax Office lower my appraised value?
No. The Tax Office collects tax based on certified values and exemptions. Appraised value questions go to BCAD.
Does Bexar County offer payment plans?
Yes. Bexar County offers half-payment, 4-payment, and a 10-month plan for qualifying taxpayers, with strict deadlines.
Who qualifies for the 10-month payment plan?
The 10-month plan is for qualifying residential homestead owners with disabled person, age 65 or over, disabled veteran, or qualifying surviving spouse exemptions.
What if my mortgage company pays my taxes?
Check online to confirm the payment posted. If your taxes are escrowed, you may forward your statement to the mortgage company if needed.
How do I check for a refund or overpayment?
Use the Bexar County property tax search and refund tools, then compare payment history with bank or escrow records.
Where is the Bexar County Tax Office?
The Tax Assessor-Collector’s main office is at Vista Verde Plaza Building, 233 N. Pecos La Trinidad, San Antonio, TX 78207.
Is CountyPropertyTaxes.us the official Bexar County tax office?
No. This is an independent informational guide. Final payments, exemptions, protests, refunds, and account-specific questions must be handled through official Bexar County or BCAD systems.
Bottom Line
Use the Bexar County Tax Office for property tax payment, bills, due dates, payment plans, receipts and refunds. Use Bexar Central Appraisal District for appraised value, exemptions, property records and protests. Always confirm the account, tax year, balance and deadline before making a payment.
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