We talk to a lot of Bexar County homeowners who are genuinely confused about which property tax deadline actually applies to them. And honestly, that confusion makes sense. Three dates get thrown around, and nobody really explains which one is yours.
Here is what we tell our clients: the date that matters depends on how you plan to pay. Once you know that, the rest clicks into place pretty quickly.
Key Takeaways
November 30 is not a deadline for everyone. It only applies if you want to split your bill into two payments using the half-payment plan.
January 31 is the standard deadline for most homeowners paying in full. For the 2026 tax year, that date falls on a Sunday, so the actual deadline is Monday, February 1, 2027.
June 30 is the second half-payment due date, and it only applies if you already paid at least half by November 30.
Missing November 30 does not make you delinquent. You just lose the split-payment option and owe the full bill by the January deadline.
Unpaid balances after the full-payment deadline start at a 7% combined penalty and interest, and that number climbs every month.
If your mortgage has an escrow account, your lender is probably paying this bill for you. Check before you pay.
Billing questions go to the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector. Value and exemption questions go to BCAD. They are separate offices.
What Are the Bexar County Property Tax Deadlines?
Bexar County taxes are based on your property's value as of January 1 each year. So "2026 taxes" means the bill for what your home was worth on January 1, 2026, with payment due in early 2027. That timing trips people up, especially buyers and sellers who changed hands during the year.
Here is how the three deadlines break down for the current cycle:
Payment Path | What Is Due | Standard Date | 2026 Tax Cycle | If Missed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Half-payment entry | At least 50% of the bill | Nov. 30 | Nov. 30, 2026 | Split option is lost |
Full payment | Entire balance | Jan. 31 | Feb. 1, 2027 | Penalty and interest begin |
Second half-payment | Remaining balance | June 30 | June 30, 2027 | Delinquent as of July 1 |
What Is Due on Nov. 30?
November 30 is the entry point for the half-payment plan. To get in, you pay at least half your total base tax bill by that date, based on the original bill amount.
If that date passes without that payment, the split option closes. You are back on the standard track: full payment by the January deadline.
What Is Due on Jan. 31?
This is the deadline most people are working with. Pay your full balance by January 31 and you are done, no penalties, no interest.
For the 2026 tax year specifically, January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday. Under Texas Property Tax Code Section 1.06, that pushes the deadline to the next business day: Monday, February 1, 2027. That is not a grace period; that is the actual deadline for this cycle.
What Is Due on June 30?
June 30 is strictly for homeowners already on the half-payment plan. It is not a backup option for anyone who missed January, and it is not a general extension. If you paid at least half by November 30 and have an active arrangement, your remaining balance is due by June 30. Miss it, and your account goes delinquent on July 1.
How Does the Bexar County Half-Payment Plan Work?
No special status or age requirement here. Most Bexar County property owners can use this option. The idea is simple: split a large bill into two payments without triggering any penalty, as long as both payments land on time.
Say your 2026 property tax bill is $6,000:
By November 30, 2026: Pay at least $3,000 (half the original bill)
By June 30, 2027: Pay the remaining $3,000
No penalties, no interest, as long as you hit both dates. The first payment has to be at least half, though. Paying less does not qualify you for the plan.
One thing that genuinely confuses people: January 31 has nothing to do with the half-payment schedule. If you are on this plan, your second payment is due in June. Those two dates belong to two completely separate payment paths, and mixing them up can cost you.
What Happens If You Miss a Property Tax Deadline?
The answer depends on which deadline passed and what your situation was going into it.
What Happens After Nov. 30?
Missing November 30 is not the end of the world. Your account does not go delinquent and no penalties kick in. You simply lose access to the half-payment option.
From that point, your full bill is due by the standard January deadline, which for the 2026 tax year is February 1, 2027. Pay in full before then and you are fine.
What Happens After the Full-Payment Deadline?
This is where it gets more serious. Once February 1, 2027 passes with an unpaid balance, the account becomes delinquent. Bexar County's penalty and interest schedule adds charges fast:
February: 7% combined penalty and interest
March: 9%
April: 11%
May: 13%
June: 15%
On that $6,000 example, waiting until February already adds $420. Each month that passes makes it worse, and after July 1, collection fees can be tacked on too.
If you are dealing with a delinquent account, always call the Tax Assessor-Collector for a current payoff amount before sending anything. Daily interest means the number on your old bill is probably not accurate anymore.
What Happens After June 30?
For homeowners on the half-payment plan, a missed June 30 means a 12% penalty on the unpaid second half, plus 1% monthly interest from that point forward. The account goes delinquent on July 1, and collection activity can follow from there.
How Can You Check and Pay Your Bexar County Tax Bill?
Before you pay anything, look up your account. It takes a few minutes and can protect you from paying a bill that has already been paid, or missing one you did not know was due.
Check Your Tax Account
The Bexar County online portal lets you search by address or account number. You can see your current balance, payment history, exemptions on file, and whether the account is current. Do this before paying, especially if you bought the home recently or think your exemptions may have changed.
Also worth knowing: some Bexar County properties fall within boundaries served by Comal ISD, Boerne ISD, or Medina Valley ISD, which can bill separately. If you are near a county line, check your statement carefully.
Confirm Your Escrow Status
If your mortgage includes an escrow account, your loan servicer may already be handling this payment. Getting a tax statement in the mail does not automatically mean you owe it directly. It could just be an informational copy.
Call your servicer and confirm whether payment has been scheduled or submitted. Paying a bill your servicer already paid creates a refund process that takes longer than you would expect.
Choose a Payment Method
The Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector gives you a few ways to pay:
Online via card or ACH bank transfer (card payments may carry a fee)
By mail, with a USPS postmark by the deadline
In person at the downtown office or a branch location
If you are mailing a check close to the deadline, the postmark is what counts, not when it arrives. Keep your receipt or confirmation no matter how you pay.
Which Other Bexar County Payment Plans May Apply?
Beyond the standard half-payment option, Bexar County offers a few other installment arrangements for homeowners who qualify.
Homeowners with a qualifying homestead exemption, typically those 65 and older or those with a disability exemption, may be eligible to pay in four installments. The first is due by February 1, with the remaining three spread across April, June, and August. Each installment paid on time avoids penalty.
There is also a 10-month installment option for some homeowners, with the first payment (at least 20%) due in October. Eligibility rules are narrower here, so confirm directly with the Tax Assessor-Collector whether your account qualifies.
For accounts already in delinquency, payment arrangements are sometimes available on a case-by-case basis. Call 210-335-2251 and ask what options exist for your specific account.
If you are buying or selling in the San Antonio area and want to understand how property taxes fit into your overall picture, that is a conversation we have with clients all the time at Exquisite Properties. It is one of those things that feels complicated until someone walks you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Did Not Receive a Bexar County Tax Bill?
Not receiving a bill does not extend your deadline. Contact the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector at 210-335-2251 to request a duplicate statement.
Does the Deadline Change on a Weekend or Holiday?
Yes. Under Texas Property Tax Code Section 1.06, deadlines falling on a weekend or legal holiday shift to the next business day. For 2026 taxes, the January 31, 2027 deadline moves to Monday, February 1, 2027.
What If I Bought or Sold the Property During the Year?
January 1 ownership determines personal liability for that year's taxes. The tax lien follows the property regardless of who owns it at payment time. Closing prorations adjust the financial responsibility between buyer and seller at settlement, but that is not a payment to the county.
Should I Contact BCAD or the Tax Assessor-Collector?
BCAD handles property values, exemptions, appraisal records, and property-tax protests. The Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector handles billing, payments, penalties, and payment arrangements. They are two separate offices with separate contact information.
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