Tax Information

Tax Rate Information for Austin and Surrounding Areas

The state of Texas does not levy a corporate or personal income tax. Instead, the state relies on property taxes to provide funding for local services. Property taxes help to pay for public schools, city streets, county roads, fire and police protection, as well as many other public services.

Property taxes are local taxes that are formulated by local officials, but governed by state law. Local officials value your property, set the tax rates, and collect your taxes. The Texas Constitution sets out five rules regulating how these taxes can be applied:

• Taxation must be equal and uniform



• With some exceptions, all tangible property must be taxed on its current market value. The exceptions include agricultural land and timberland.



• All property is taxable unless a federal or state law provides an exemption for it.



• Property owners have a right to reasonable notice of increases in appraised property value.



• Each property in a county must have one appraised value.

The following tables have been provided to assist you in figuring your tax amount. Only select those rates that apply to the particular property. For more information, or for help determining which rates apply to you, contact your County Tax Assessor - Collector:

Travis County (PDF) 512-473-9473

Williamson County (PDF) 512-869-4305

Hays County (PDF) 512-392-8167

Bastrop County (PDF) 512-303-2905

* Source: Taxpayers' Rights Remedies & Responsibilities, Carole Keeton Rylander, 2001