Pay Travis County property taxes without getting sent to the wrong office
The office most people mean when they search “Travis County Tax Collector” is the Travis County Tax Office, headed by the elected Tax Assessor-Collector. It collects property taxes, handles payment plans and receipts, and runs the official tax-account payment route.
If your problem is the appraised value, exemption, ownership record or protest, the right stop is Travis Central Appraisal District instead. That one distinction can save an unnecessary drive across Austin.
What does the Travis County Tax Collector actually handle?
The public-facing office is the Travis County Tax Office. Texas uses the title Tax Assessor-Collector, but for Travis County property owners the practical job is collection: looking up tax accounts, receiving payments, providing receipts, administering payment arrangements and handling delinquent accounts.
Current and delinquent property tax payments, receipts, account balances, payment plans, tax certificates, payment methods and foreclosure-sale information.
Market value, exemptions, ownership or situs records, business personal property renditions, appraisal questions and value protests.
Federal income taxes and local Travis County property taxes are different systems. The IRS does not collect your Travis County property tax bill.
Travis County Tax Office vs Travis Central Appraisal District
“Tax Assessor-Collector” sounds like one office should control both the value and the bill. In Travis County, that is not how the property-tax workflow works. TCAD appraises the property; local taxing units adopt tax rates; the Tax Office collects the resulting bill.
| Your question | Correct office | What that office does |
|---|---|---|
| How much property tax do I owe? | Travis County Tax Office | Account balance, statements, payment status and receipts. |
| Why did my market value increase? | Travis Central Appraisal District | Appraisal value and property characteristics. |
| Where is my homestead exemption? | Travis Central Appraisal District | Exemption applications and appraisal records. |
| Can I set up a delinquent payment plan? | Travis County Tax Office | Collection agreements and payment schedules. |
| I want to protest the appraised value. | Travis Central Appraisal District | Protests and Appraisal Review Board process. |
| I need an official tax certificate. | Travis County Tax Office | The Tax Office issues certificates showing current tax status. |
Where the Travis County property-tax cycle stands in 2026
As of September 2026, unpaid 2025 property taxes are already delinquent. The next regular collection cycle begins in October, when the Tax Office can begin mailing 2026 property-tax bills after taxing entities provide their rates and any relevant election results are known.
The normal Jan. 31, 2026 timely-payment window has passed. If a 2025 balance remains, check the account for current penalty, interest and available payment-plan options.
The official calendar says the current-year collection period begins Oct. 1. Actual bill timing can depend on tax-rate adoption and election results.
Jan. 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday. Under the Tax Office weekend rule, the timely deadline moves to the next business day, Monday, Feb. 1, 2027. Confirm that date on the posted 2026 statement.
How to search and pay Travis County property taxes online
Start from the Travis County Tax Office Account Search page or the county-linked `travis.go2gov.net` system. Do not type bank information into a page reached only through an ad, old bookmark or unrelated directory.
The county page links directly to the tax-account system. Search is available before you choose a payment method.
Use owner name, street address, account number or the six-digit billing number shown on the tax bill.
Check owner name, situs address, tax year, current balance and whether the account is current or delinquent.
The official instructions direct users to add the account to the shopping cart and review the cart before payment.
Review the convenience fee before proceeding. The payment flow may redirect to Government Payments / EZNETPAY.
The online system sends an immediate emailed receipt. Save the receipt and confirmation until the account shows the payment.
Travis County payment methods, fees and deadline risk
There is no single “best” method for everyone. Someone paying a five-figure tax bill may care most about card fees, while someone paying on Jan. 31 may care more about immediate proof and avoiding postmark risk.
| Method | Current rule | Fee / caution |
|---|---|---|
| Online eCheck | U.S. bank account; immediate emailed receipt. | $1 listed fee. |
| Credit / debit card | Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards; Visa/MasterCard debit cards. | $3 for balances under $100 or 3% for balances over $100. |
| PayPal | Available through the online payment flow. | Same listed $3-under-$100 or 3%-over-$100 structure. |
| Phone | Card payment through Government Payments at 888-286-9242. | Card convenience fee applies. |
| Personal check, cashier’s check or money order. | USPS postmark timing matters; never mail cash or card information. | |
| Drop box | Personal check, cashier’s check or money order at Tax Office locations. | Never place cash or card information in the box. |
| In person | Cash, check, money order, cashier’s check and listed cards. | Card convenience fee applies; lines may reach capacity. |
| ACH / wire | Available using official Tax Office instructions. | County lists no fee, but your financial institution may charge one. |
Travis County Tax Office locations and property-tax hours
The Tax Office has multiple service points around the Austin area, but not every branch offers the same walk-in or drive-thru setup. The county also warns that lines can close early when capacity is reached.
| Location | Address | Published service hours | Property-tax note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Tax Office HQ / Nelda Wells Spears Building | 2433 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin, TX 78754-5231 | Property tax: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday | Main office; property-tax walk-ins available. |
| North – Pflugerville | 15822 Foothill Farms Loop, Pflugerville, TX 78660-3422 | Walk-in 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; drive-thru 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday | Drive-thru can accept property-tax payments. |
| Northwest Austin | 8110 N FM 620 Road, Austin, TX 78726-4005 | Walk-in 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; drive-thru 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday | Drive-thru can accept property-tax payments. |
| Southeast Austin – near ABIA | 4011 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX 78744-4103 | Walk-in 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; drive-thru 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday | Drive-thru can accept property-tax payments. |
| Southwest Austin – Oak Hill | 8656 West HWY 71, Building B, Austin, TX 78735-8075 | Walk-in 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday | Check the Visit Us page before driving. |
| East Austin – near MLK and Springdale | 4705 Heflin Ln, Austin, TX 78721 | Drive-thru 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday | Drive-thru location; property-tax payments are one of the listed services. |
Travis County property-tax penalties and interest
The Tax Office states that it cannot simply waive state-mandated penalty and interest. Once an unpaid bill becomes delinquent, the cost rises according to the statutory schedule.
| Month unpaid | Penalty | Interest | Total P&I |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 6% | 1% | 7% |
| March | 7% | 2% | 9% |
| April | 8% | 3% | 11% |
| May | 9% | 4% | 13% |
| June | 10% | 5% | 15% |
| July | 12% | 6% | 18% |
| August | 12% | 7% | 19% |
| September | 12% | 8% | 20% |
| October | 12% | 9% | 21% |
| November | 12% | 10% | 22% |
| December | 12% | 11% | 23% |
| January after delinquency year | 12% | 12% | 24% |
Installments, delinquent plans and property-tax prepayments
Travis County has more than one payment-plan route. The right option depends on whether the taxes are current or delinquent, whether the property has a homestead exemption, and whether the owner qualifies through age, disability, veteran status or disaster rules.
Qualified over-65, disabled, disabled-veteran and certain surviving-spouse homesteads may pay in four installments without penalty and interest when enrolled and paid according to the required schedule.
An eligible homestead owner may qualify to pay delinquent taxes over 12 months. Once the agreement and first payment are completed, the penalty rate can freeze while interest continues.
If the residence-homestead agreement does not apply, the Tax Office may offer a shorter schedule for personal property or a longer schedule for real estate, subject to approval and account standing.
Property owners can prepay future taxes after prior-year taxes are paid. The county lists automatic ACH withdrawal and online escrow prepayment routes.
Special four-payment rules can apply to qualifying homesteads damaged in a state-designated disaster or emergency. Confirm current eligibility before assuming the option applies.
Exemptions are handled through Travis Central Appraisal District. Applying for a property-tax exemption is not the same as setting up a Tax Office payment plan.
How to find tax statements, receipts, records and tax certificates
The official account search does more than show a balance. It can show paid status, current and prior-year statements, receipts, eBill enrollment, mailing-address updates and payment-plan options.
Use Account Search to view original, current and previous-year tax statements.
Online payment generates an immediate emailed receipt. Existing receipts can also be accessed through the tax account system.
A tax certificate officially states the current tax status, including known delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs. The listed fee is $10 and the Tax Office says certificates are normally ready in three to five business days.
Mailing a Travis County tax payment: the postmark problem matters
Property-tax payments by mail go to Travis County Tax Office, P.O. Box 149328, Austin, TX 78714-9328. Include the payment coupon or owner name and the property-tax account number, and make the payment payable to Travis County Tax Office.
What happens if Travis County property taxes stay unpaid?
Ignoring a delinquent balance is the expensive option. Penalty and interest continue, and unresolved accounts can move into collection and foreclosure procedures.
Open Account Search and confirm the current payoff. An old statement will not include all accrued interest.
The Tax Office encourages owners who cannot pay in full to contact the office and discuss available payment arrangements before legal action becomes the next step.
Texas does not sell tax lien certificates to investors through the Travis County Tax Office. Travis County does conduct tax foreclosure sales for qualifying delinquent properties.
Common Travis County tax-payment problems
Try the owner name, street address, full account number and six-digit billing number separately. If none works, call the Tax Office before assuming no bill exists.
Check the county account before sending a second payment. Then confirm the status with your mortgage servicer or escrow department.
Banks may block large internet transactions or impose daily limits. Contact the card issuer before repeatedly submitting the same payment.
If the problem is value, exemption or property characteristics, contact TCAD. The Tax Office cannot change an appraisal value.
Keep your emailed receipt or other payment evidence and contact the Tax Office with the account number and confirmation details.
The official online-payment page tells taxpayers outside the U.S. to contact the Tax Office before trying to make the online payment.
What to have ready before visiting or calling
Walking in with “I need help with my taxes” usually creates an extra round of questions. Have enough information to identify the exact property and tax year.
Travis County Tax Office HQ directions
The main property-tax office is the Nelda Wells Spears Building at 2433 Ridgepoint Drive, Austin, TX 78754-5231. Use the map for directions, but use the official Visit Us page for closures and current service hours.
Official Travis County tax links to use before taking action
Fees, closures, portal behavior, payment-plan eligibility and auction schedules can change. These links go to the government pages used to verify this guide.
Travis County Tax Collector FAQs
What is the official Travis County Tax Collector office called?
The public-facing office is the Travis County Tax Office. The elected official is the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector. People commonly search “Travis County Tax Collector” when they need property-tax payment or account help.
How do I pay Travis County property taxes online?
Start from the official Tax Office Account Search page, locate the property by owner name, street address, account number or six-digit billing number, verify the account, add it to the cart and choose the payment method. Online options currently include eCheck, card and PayPal.
What is the Travis County Tax Office phone number?
The main public-inquiry number is 512-854-9473. The official contact page lists phone hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Where is the main Travis County Tax Office?
The New Tax Office HQ / Nelda Wells Spears Building is at 2433 Ridgepoint Drive, Austin, TX 78754-5231. Property-tax walk-in hours are listed as 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What is the Travis County online eCheck fee?
The official online-payment page currently lists a $1 fee for eCheck payments from a U.S. bank account. Check the final official payment screen in case the processor changes its fee.
How much is the Travis County card payment fee?
The Tax Office currently lists a $3 convenience fee for balances under $100 and a 3% convenience fee for balances over $100 for card payments. PayPal uses the same listed fee structure.
When are Travis County property taxes due?
January 31 is normally the last day to pay without penalty and interest. When that date falls on a weekend or applicable holiday, the timely deadline moves under the Tax Office’s published rule. For the 2026 tax cycle, Jan. 31, 2027 is a Sunday, so confirm the next-business-day deadline on the posted bill.
Where do I mail Travis County property-tax payments?
Mail property-tax payments to Travis County Tax Office, P.O. Box 149328, Austin, TX 78714-9328. Include the payment coupon or owner name and account number. Do not mail cash or card information.
Should I contact Travis County Tax Office or Travis CAD?
Use the Tax Office for payment, balances, receipts, payment plans, delinquent collection and tax certificates. Use Travis Central Appraisal District for market value, exemptions, property appraisal records, renditions and value protests.
Does Travis County sell tax lien certificates?
No. The Tax Office states that Texas does not sell tax lien certificates to investors. Travis County does conduct tax foreclosure sales, which are a different legal process.
The TaxCollectors.org Editorial Team researches and reviews U.S. tax collector offices, property tax procedures, payment resources, deadlines, and official government links. TaxCollectors.org is an independent information publication operated by Quarks Systems Global Solutions.