Tax Assessor-Collector
The Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector is responsible for a wide range of services related to property taxes, motor vehicle registration and title transactions, tax payments, and several specialized tax functions. This article explains the services available through the office, how to use its official online systems, what information you should have before beginning a transaction, where different services are available, and how to avoid common mistakes that can delay payments or require an additional office visit.
Primary responsibilities of the office
The Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector serves county residents by administering property tax collections, providing motor vehicle registration and title services, accepting certain permit and tax payments, and maintaining several online tools that allow taxpayers to manage accounts without visiting an office.
The official Tax Assessor-Collector website serves as the main starting point for county tax services. From there, residents can access property tax information, motor vehicle services, appointment options, forms of payment, current office wait times, tax rate information, Truth in Taxation resources, online account tools, and branch office information.
The office is led by Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Rick D. Barnes.
Property tax services
The Property Tax Division manages one of the largest property tax operations in Texas. Its primary focus is collecting property taxes while providing services for homeowners, business property owners, mineral property owners, and other taxpayers throughout Tarrant County.
The official Property Tax Division offers access to services that include:
Property tax payments
Property tax account searches
Printing tax statements
Printing payment receipts
Paperless billing enrollment
Property tax refund requests
Replacement check requests
Property tax estimators
Tax certificates
Installment agreements
Special Inventory Tax services
Manufactured housing information
Tax rate information
Truth in Taxation resources
The county also reminds taxpayers that there is no fee to apply for exemptions through the Tarrant Appraisal District or to request refunds for tax overpayments or adjustments. Residents with questions are encouraged to contact the Tax Office before paying any third party for assistance with these matters.
Searching a property tax account
The online payment system allows taxpayers to locate their accounts without creating a profile or logging into the website. This makes it possible to review account information or make payments quickly.
You can search using:
Account number
Owner name
Owner mailing address
Property address
If searching by account number, leading zeros may be entered but are not required.
When searching by owner name, enter the owner's last name followed by the first name or first initial.
When searching by property address, enter only the street number followed by the street name. Street directions and street types such as Avenue, Drive, or Lane should not be included in the search.
The official online payment portal is available through the Tarrant County property tax payment system.
Online payments without an account
One feature of the county's payment portal is that creating a profile is not required. Taxpayers may:
Search for an account.
Review account details.
Add one or more accounts to a payment cart.
Complete an online payment.
Although profiles remain available for users who prefer them, they are optional for making property tax payments.
Property tax estimates
The county provides an online tax estimator to help property owners estimate taxes using available taxing entities and exemption selections.
The estimator includes options for common exemptions such as:
Homestead
Over 65
Disabled Person
Surviving Spouse
Disabled Veteran exemption categories
It also allows users to enter a property value and estimate taxes using participating county, city, school district, water district, hospital district, junior college district, and other taxing entities through the official property tax estimator.
Truth in Taxation information
The Tax Assessor-Collector provides access to Truth in Taxation resources that help property owners review proposed tax rates before they are adopted.
During August and September, local taxing entities update proposed tax rates that may affect future property tax bills.
Property owners may:
Search for a property.
Review proposed tax information.
Subscribe to email notifications.
Monitor updates as taxing units revise information.
Subscription requires locating a property, selecting the property record, choosing the notification option, entering contact information, and confirming the subscription.
Paperless billing options
Property owners who prefer electronic records instead of mailed statements can subscribe to paperless billing through the Property Tax Division.
Electronic statements can help reduce paper records while allowing account information to be accessed digitally.
Refunds and replacement checks
The Property Tax Division also provides services for taxpayers needing information about property tax refunds or replacement checks.
These services are available through the Property Tax section alongside payment, account lookup, and statement functions.
Motor vehicle services
In addition to property taxes, the Tax Assessor-Collector oversees the county's Motor Vehicle Division.
Residents can obtain information through the Motor Vehicle Division for services that include:
Vehicle registration
Title transfers
Registration renewals
New resident vehicle services
Disabled license plates
Disabled placards
Specialty license plates
Photo identification requirements
Payment methods
Registration change of address information
Vehicle title checks
Vehicle inspection information
Non-dealers can reserve a place in line, while dealers have appointment options specifically designed for dealer transactions.
Current office wait times
Before traveling to an office, residents can review current wait times published by the Tax Assessor-Collector.
This can help determine whether another branch location may offer a shorter visit or whether an online service would be more convenient.
Appointments and office visits
The Tax Office provides appointment options for certain services while other transactions may be completed on a walk-in basis.
Checking available appointment options before visiting can reduce unnecessary travel and help ensure the correct office handles your transaction.
Branch office availability
The Tax Assessor-Collector operates multiple offices throughout Tarrant County.
According to the county's locations information, many services available at the main office are also offered at branch offices, including:
Property tax payments
Motor vehicle registration
Vehicle title transactions
Special Inventory Tax payments
Automobile registration services
Motorcycle registration services
Trailer registration services
Some locations also provide secure drop boxes for qualifying transactions.
Using secure drop boxes
Several Tax Office locations maintain secure drop boxes for property tax, motor vehicle, and Special Inventory Tax transactions.
Depending on the office, drop boxes may be available twenty-four hours a day or during business hours.
When using a drop box, only checks, cashier's checks, or money orders are accepted. Payments placed in these drop boxes should be made payable to Rick D. Barnes.
Office-specific information, including available services and drop box locations, is available through the official maps and locations page.
Preparing before visiting
Having the correct information available before beginning a transaction can reduce delays.
For property tax matters, helpful information may include:
Property tax account number
Owner name
Mailing address
Property address
For motor vehicle services, review the specific requirements listed for your transaction before arriving at an office.
Payment options
The Tax Assessor-Collector provides payment options through both its online systems and office locations.
The website also includes Forms of Payment information so taxpayers can review accepted payment methods before beginning a transaction.
Residents using secure drop boxes should remember that only checks, cashier's checks, and money orders are accepted through those locations.
Customer feedback
The Tax Office encourages residents to provide feedback regarding services received at property tax offices, motor vehicle offices, accounting, contact center operations, and other service locations.
The official Customer Feedback page allows visitors to identify the office where service was received before submitting comments.
Common mistakes that delay service
Many delays can be avoided by reviewing transaction requirements before visiting an office or using the online portal.
Searching with incomplete or incorrect property information.
Including street directions or street types when searching by property address.
Assuming an online account is required before making a payment.
Using a drop box with an unsupported payment method.
Visiting an office without checking current wait times.
Going to a branch before confirming that the needed service is available there.
Online services that reduce office visits
Many transactions can be completed without visiting a county office. Available online functions include searching property tax accounts, reviewing account details, making payments, estimating taxes, printing statements, printing receipts, enrolling in paperless billing, and reviewing current wait times.
Residents who only need account information or payment services can often complete their transactions through the official online system without scheduling an appointment.
Departments and offices
Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector
100 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: 817-884-1100
Main Office
100 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: 817-884-1100
Arlington Office
700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010
Phone: 817-548-3935
Southlake Office
1400 Main Street, Suite 110, Southlake, TX 76092
Phone: 817-884-1100
Mansfield Office
1100 E. Broad Street, Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: 817-473-5127
Northeast Office
645 Grapevine Hwy., Hurst, TX 76054
Phone: 817-581-3635
Northwest Office
6713 Telephone Road, Room 101, Lake Worth, TX 76135
Phone: 817-238-4435
Poly Office
3212 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76119
Phone: 817-531-5635
Southwest Office
6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth, TX 76133
Phone: 817-370-4535
Tax Assessor-Collector FAQs
Why can’t I access the property tax page I bookmarked?
Tarrant County replaced its former property tax application with a newer payment portal and deactivated links to the old system. A saved bookmark may therefore lead to an unavailable or outdated page. Start from the official Tarrant County property tax portal and save the current page after it loads. Taxpayers with an active profile migrated from the previous system may be prompted to create a new password.
Can I search for an inactive or already-paid tax account?
Yes. The property tax search includes options for inactive accounts and allows users to filter results by paid, unpaid, or both payment statuses. This can be useful when researching an older property record, confirming that a prior balance was paid, or locating an account that no longer appears among active records. Selecting the correct filters before searching may prevent an older account from being omitted.
How do I change the mailing address shown on my property tax record?
Mailing-address changes are handled through the appraisal district rather than directly through the Tax Office payment portal. The county’s property tax services page provides access to the appraisal district option for address changes and related forms. Updating an address in another county system does not necessarily update the appraisal record, so property owners should use the designated appraisal process.
What should I know about delinquent property tax text messages?
Some taxing entities use a delinquent-tax attorney that has begun sending collection text messages. Tarrant County states that the Tax Office itself does not contract with that firm; individual cities, schools, the county, and other taxing entities may establish their own collection arrangements. Before responding, compare the message with the county’s published security guidance and watch for warning signs such as international numbers or unexpected group chats. Account balances should be checked through the official county portal rather than through a link in an unsolicited message.
Can every vehicle registration service be completed at a grocery store?
No. Participating neighborhood grocery stores offer a convenient option for certain registration renewals, but they do not replace a Tax Office branch for title transfers, new-resident transactions, disabled plates or placards, specialty plate requests, and other title services. Review the official motor vehicle service information before choosing a renewal location.