Property Tax System Guide

How Does the Property Tax System Work?

Chambers County Appraisal District Determines Property Values

The Chambers County Appraisal District determines the value of all properties, grants exemptions, and certifies values to the taxing units.

The governing bodies of taxing entities, such as the Commissioners Court, School Board, City Council, or Board of Directors, review budgets and then set the tax rates, which determine how much taxes are due on each property.

The Tax Assessor-Collector calculates how much you owe for each taxing entity, prepares and sends bills, collects monies due, and disburses the funds to the appropriate entity.

Homeowners

Homeowners do not have to pay a fee to file a homestead exemption. Visit the Chambers County Appraisal District website for information and contact details concerning any corrections in ownership, valuation or exemptions.

Timely Payment for Property Taxes

Property taxes are due upon receipt. 
You have from October 1st through January 31st to pay the current year taxes without penalty or interest, if certified prior to December 31. Action by Mail is timely if:

1. It is sent by regular, first-class mail, properly addressed with current postage prepaid; and
2. It bears a post office cancellation mark of a date earlier than the specified date due. If you wait until the last day of the month, please make sure all requirements are met. There are no exceptions.

On February 1st, all unpaid taxes become delinquent, if certified timely. 
Penalty and interest are added to the levy balance amount and continue to increase until taxes are paid.  Texas law provides for the addition of a collection penalty of 20% on certain delinquent taxes.

By law, the Tax Assessor-Collector cannot waive penalty and interest on delinquent taxes, adjust values, or ignore deadlines established in the Texas Property Tax Code.

Payment Options

Quarter Payments
Sec. 31.031 Installment Payments of Certain Homestead Taxes. If before the delinquency date an individual who is disabled or at least 65 years of age and is qualified for an exemption under Section 11.13(c) pays at least one fourth of a taxing unit's taxes imposed on the property that the person owns and occupies as a residence homestead, the person may pay the remaining taxes in installments without penalty or interest. The first installment is due by January 31st and remaining payments by March 31st, May 31st and July 31st.

Online Payments
Pay by e-check or credit card on the Chambers County Property Tax payment page or by phone 866-549-1010.

• Bureau Code: 4754770
• E-check flat rate $2.00
• Credit/debit payments subject to 2.24% convenience fee