Dallas County homeowners already behind on their mortgages will have less time to prepare for 2026 property tax bills because the county will not mail those bills until after the Nov. 3 election, when voters decide whether to approve a higher county tax rate. The compressed timeline means bills may not arrive until after the election, but payment is still due Jan. 31 in most cases, according to the Texas Comptroller.
For a median homestead, the county portion of the bill would be $666.52 at the higher rate, up from $558.97 last year, according to Dallas County figures. The rate rises to about 22.5 cents per $100 of value even if voters reject the measure and would reach about 24.9 cents with approval, as WFAA reports. That means taxes will increase no matter the outcome.
The delay in mailing bills shortens the time between receiving a bill and the usual payment deadline. On Oct. 1, the county calculated bills at tentative rates, so online balances before Election Day may reflect the higher proposed rate. After the election, the county mails final bills. Payment is due Jan. 31, and delinquent taxes incur a 6 percent penalty and 1 percent interest on Feb. 1.
Texas property taxes are secured by a lien on the home, and a bankruptcy filing does not remove that lien. Homeowners who pay taxes through escrow may see the increase as a higher monthly mortgage payment after the servicer's next escrow review. A Chapter 13 repayment plan can spread delinquent taxes and missed mortgage payments over three to five years while the homeowner stays current on new payments.
Leinart Law Firm, a consumer bankruptcy practice serving clients throughout Texas, is urging Dallas County homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or facing foreclosure to review their options before 2026 property tax bills arrive. Meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer in Dallas, TX now gives homeowners time to see how a repayment plan would treat past-due property taxes.
"A tax increase is seldom the only reason a homeowner falls behind, but it adds to arrears that may already be difficult to cure," said Marcus Leinart, founder of Leinart Law Firm. "We review the mortgage, tax account, and household budget together so a repayment plan accounts for all three."
The firm handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings along with foreclosure, repossession, wage garnishment, and credit card debt matters, and consultations can be requested online.
