Dallas County homeowners already behind on their mortgages or at risk of foreclosure should evaluate their financial options before 2026 property tax bills arrive, according to the Leinart Law Firm. The bills will not be mailed until after the Nov. 3 election, when voters decide whether to approve a higher county tax rate, as WFAA reports. The compressed timeline gives homeowners less time to prepare for payment.
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.
The delay affects deadlines in several ways. On Oct. 1, the county calculated bills at tentative rates, so online balances before Election Day may reflect the higher proposed rate. On Nov. 3, voters approve or reject the higher rate; a rejection sets the county rate at the voter-approval level. After the election, the county mails final bills. Payment is due in most cases by Jan. 31, and the Texas Comptroller notes that 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.
"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."
Meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer in Dallas, TX now gives homeowners time to see how a repayment plan would treat past-due property taxes. With the payment deadline arriving shortly after final bills are mailed, homeowners who wait may face fewer options to avoid delinquency or foreclosure.
