Property Tax FAQ's

The Appraisal District identifies property to be taxed, determines its appraised value, whether to grant exemptions, the taxable owner and address, and which taxing jurisdictions may tax the property. For information on VALUES, EXEMPTIONS, OWNERSHIP or ADDRESS, please contact the Willacy County Appraisal District at:                                             

                                     Phone: (956)689-5979

                                    Mailing Address:  688 FM 3168 Raymondville, TX  78580

 Exemptions reduce the taxable value of your property. This lowers your tax amount. Some of these exemptions are: 

• Residence Homestead exemption is available for all home owners on their residence as long as they lived there on January 1st of the tax year. 
• Disabled Homestead exemption can be taken in addition to the homestead exemption; available to those who qualify according to specific guidelines. 
• Disable veteran or survivor exemption can be taken in addition to the homestead exemption, according to a disability rating. This exemption can be taken on any property in Texas; it is not limited to the homestead property. 
• Age 65 or Older exemption can be taken in addition to homestead exemption on residence. Home owners over the age of 65 may also arrange for a Tax Affidavit Deferral, You may choose to defer the collection of taxes if you own and occupy your residence and taxes are delinquent; however, a tax lien remains on the property and interest of 8% a year continues to accrue. 

The chief appraiser is responsible for administering exemption applications. A property owner or the owner's authorized agent must file any necessary exemption form before May 1 of the tax year.

Tax statements are mailed each October of the Tax year and are due on receipt. In order to be timely, payment of taxes must be postmarked before the specified date. Taxes are delinquent on FEBRUARY 1 of each year and subject to penalty and interest, and subject to possible lawsuit. Post Office Postmark is accepted.

Contact the Tax Office immediately to request a tax statement.  Failure to receive a tax statement does not affect the validity of the tax, penalty, interest, due date, the existence of a tax lien, or any procedure instituted to collect a tax.

Yes, if taxes are not paid by January 31st State law automatically places a tax lien on property on February 1 of each year to ensure that taxes are paid.

The person who owned the property on January 1 of the tax year is personally liable for the tax, even if he/she sold the property during the year. Let the buyer beware, however, the lien and deliquent of taxes follows the property.

If your property taxes are paid by a mortgage company and you receive a tax statement, write your loan number on the statement, and forward it immediately to your mortgage company for payment.

Tax office accepts partial payments on current and delinquent taxes.  PENALTY, INTEREST AND ATTORNEY FEES WILL ACCRUE ON THE REMAINING BALANCE.

Quarter Payments Option: (This option applies only to property the person occupies as a residence homestead and only to those persons who are considered disabled under SSI) If, before January 1st of the current tax year, you are disabled or 65 years of age and are qualified for the OVER 65 or DISABLED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, you may make your payments in four equal installments without incurring penalty and interest, if paid in the following manner: 

1st payment due by January 31; 

2nd payment due by March 31; 

3rd payment due by May 31; 

4th payment due by July 31.

A tax certificate is a certified document showing all delinquent taxes and may include current taxes. If delinquent, the certificate shows penalties and interest that are due according to tax records. The fee to obtain a certificate is $5.00 per certificate; prepayment is required.