Tax Assessor-Collector

This article is designed to help Tarrant County residents and businesses confidently navigate services provided by the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector. You’ll find plain-English explanations of what the office does, how to handle property tax and motor vehicle tasks, what to expect at local branches, ways to pay, how truth-in-taxation works, and when to use the State of Texas resources alongside county tools. The goal is to get you in and out with exactly what you need.

Understand the Role: What the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Actually Does

The Tax Assessor-Collector is the county office responsible for assessing and collecting a wide range of taxes and fees and administering state-delegated motor vehicle transactions. In Tarrant County, this office manages the highest number of property tax accounts in Texas and ranks near the top statewide for motor vehicle titles and registrations, with a dedicated team serving residents across multiple branches every weekday. The mission is service-first: efficient collections, accurate records, and timely customer support rooted in Texas tax law and state motor vehicle requirements.

Core Responsibilities You’ll Rely On

Property tax collections: Accepting payments, applying penalty and interest timelines, issuing receipts, processing refunds where appropriate, and maintaining account histories.

Motor vehicle transactions: Registration renewals, title transfers, plates and placards, and dealer services carried out under Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) rules.

Special programs and permits: Alcoholic beverage permits and specialized inventory tax functions for eligible businesses.

Public transparency: Posting tax rate information, worksheets, and truth-in-taxation materials so taxpayers understand rates, timelines, and who sets them.

For a department-level overview and quick entry points to common services, start at the Tax Assessor-Collector hub on the county’s website (use the “Tax Assessor-Collector” link in the main navigation of tarranttx.org, which routes to the official county domain).

Get Oriented Fast: Your One-Stop Tax Assessor-Collector Homepage

When you want a single jumping-off point, use the county’s Tax Assessor-Collector landing page for organized access to property tax content, motor vehicle information, appointments, and current updates. You’ll also find branch service options and core policies written for residents and businesses.

Visit the Tax Assessor-Collector department page for quick navigation to current programs and notices: Tax Assessor-Collector.

Property Tax Essentials: How the Process Works from Bill to Receipt

Property tax in Tarrant County follows a predictable calendar. Bills are generated annually based on appraisal values and applicable exemptions. Payments are due on standard statutory timelines, and late payments accrue penalty and interest under state law. Tarrant County emphasizes citizen service—everything from statements to digital receipts is organized around making payments clear and traceable.

Start Where It’s Organized: The Property Tax Division

Head to the county’s property tax hub to find account tools, dates, and program descriptions in one place: Property Tax.

There you’ll see:

Clear signposts to account search, online payment, paperless billing, and receipts.

Access to rate and exemption information and the truth-in-taxation summary.

Links for refund requests, public information requests, and special processes like manufactured housing and special inventory tax for eligible dealers.

Use the County’s Modernized Payment Portal

Tarrant County offers a user-friendly portal where you can search by account, make secure payments without creating a profile, and immediately produce printable statements and receipts. It’s designed for convenience so you can pay on time and document the transaction without a trip to a branch.

Go directly to the county’s official payment portal and search or pay your property tax account: Property Tax Payment & Search Portal.

Choose a Payment Method That Fits the Way You Manage Bills

The Tax Assessor-Collector accepts several forms of payment in person, online, by phone (property tax only), and via drop box or kiosk (where offered). Before you pay, review accepted methods and card-processor fees so you can pick the most cost-effective option for your situation.

See current accepted methods and card-processor fee details at Forms of Payment: Forms of Payment.

Why payment methods matter

Checks and e-checks do not add processing fees.

Debit and credit cards incur processing charges set by the card processor.

Phone payments are available for property tax but not for motor vehicle transactions.

Gift cards and payroll cards are not accepted; attempting to use them can place a “pending” hold on your funds with your card issuer. The county flags this in its policy to protect residents from avoidable holds.

Understand Your Property Tax Bill: Rates, Entities, and Transparency

Property tax combines rates from multiple taxing units (county, cities, school districts, and other entities). The Tax Assessor-Collector publishes worksheets and rate disclosures to help you see how those pieces come together.

For current-year worksheets prepared under state law, consult Tax Rate Calculation Worksheets: 2025 Tax Rate Calculation Worksheets.

For plain-language context on rate adoption, dates, and the notice process, read the county’s truth-in-taxation summary and use the State of Texas transparency site to view your property’s tax database as local entities propose and adopt rates.

Dive into the statewide transparency portal at Texas.gov Property Tax Transparency: Texas Property Tax Transparency.

Paperless Statements and Digital Receipts Save Time

Paperless billing makes it easier to keep your records in one place and reduces delays during peak season. From the property tax page, you can choose paperless delivery, then retrieve statements and receipts any time through the portal. Keeping a digital trail helps if you later need proof of payment for lenders, buyers, or your records.

Exemptions and Appraisal Basics (What the County Collects vs. Who Appraises)

A quick orientation helps:

Appraisal and exemptions are handled by the appraisal district (a separate local governmental body).

Collections—accepting the payment, applying penalties, and issuing receipts—are handled by the Tax Assessor-Collector.

Tarrant County emphasizes that common exemptions (homestead, disabled veteran, over-65, etc.) are filed with the appraisal district and that there is no fee to apply for exemptions. When in doubt, verify exemption instructions through official channels referenced from the county’s property tax hub to avoid third-party solicitations that charge for free filings.

Refunds, Overpayments, and Replacement Checks

If you overpay or an account adjustment creates a credit, the county provides a structured process to request a refund or a replacement check. Start from the property tax hub and follow the Property Tax Refund pathway to submit the necessary documentation and track responses. This is especially useful after mortgage company changes, ownership updates, or post-closing reconciliations.

Plan Your Visit: Wait Times, Hours, and Branch Service Types

The Tax Assessor-Collector operates multiple branches around the county to make it easier to handle property tax and motor vehicle needs during standard business hours. Knowing where to go—and whether a location supports your specific task—saves time.

Check Real-Time Wait Times Before You Leave

The county publishes lobby wait times for most branch locations so you can choose the best time and place to visit. Property tax wait times are not shown for the downtown Fort Worth main office, but all other participating branches display current data once a ticket is issued.

Check Get Online Wait Times by Location for the latest lobby status: Online Wait Times.

Hours and Queue Basics

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (county holidays excluded).

Motor Vehicle queueing: Non-dealers can reserve a place in line online; dealers have a separate appointment link.

Property Tax services: Branches process in-person payments and provide receipts; some locations feature drop boxes for check payments.

Drop boxes and specific service features may vary by branch. If you need to drop a check or handle a specialized request, review the Locations page for branch-by-branch notes before you go.

Explore addresses, service notes, and directions via Maps and Locations: Branch Maps & Locations.

Motor Vehicle Services: Titles, Registration, Plates, and More

The motor vehicle division handles title and registration needs under the supervision of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. If you’re buying or selling a vehicle, renewing registration, or transferring a title, the county is your local office for state-required transactions.

Your Motor Vehicle Starting Point

Begin at the county’s motor vehicle hub for non-dealer queueing, dealer appointments, renewal options, FAQs, and links to state requirements: Motor Vehicle.

There you’ll find:

“Reserve Your Place in Line” for non-dealer services.

Dealer appointment scheduling and hours.

Registration renewal options (including eligible online renewals through TxDMV).

Frequently asked questions to clarify documents you need to bring, proof of insurance, inspection, and acceptable ID.

Renew Registration the Right Way

If you’re eligible to renew online, state systems make it straightforward—just confirm your inspection and insurance status first (Texas uses the “Two Steps, One Sticker” model for inspection and registration). The county’s motor vehicle page links directly to the official renewal portal.

Renew via the official state renewal portal: Renew Your Registration.

Titles, Plates, and Disabled Placards

Title transfers require specific documents (proof of ownership, ID, odometer disclosures where applicable, and proof of insurance). Specialty plates and disabled parking placards follow state prerequisites. The county’s motor vehicle hub points to the appropriate state standards and forms so you can arrive prepared and avoid repeat visits.

Dealer Transactions

Franchise and independent dealers should use the dedicated appointment link on the motor vehicle hub to ensure the right counter and staff are available for bulk or specialized transactions. Using the correct scheduling path helps the office manage volume efficiently and reduces your turnaround time at the counter.

Ways to Pay: Face-to-Face, Online, Phone, Drop Box, and Kiosk

How you pay can affect both fees and speed. Tarrant County clearly outlines accepted payment methods for in-person and online tax transactions, along with important cautions to prevent unintended card “holds.”

Read This Before You Pay

In person: Cash, checks, and major debit/credit cards are accepted; card payments include processor fees.

Online: E-check and major debit/credit cards are accepted; e-check avoids card fees.

By phone: Available for property tax payments only (processor fees apply).

Drop box: Check only; confirm which branches offer drop boxes and whether a drop box is inside or outside the building.

Kiosk: Available for property tax at the downtown location; supports e-check and major cards.

See the official, current matrix of accepted methods and processor fees here: Forms of Payment.

Avoid Common Payment Pitfalls

Do not use gift cards, payroll cards, or cash cards. Processors may place extended holds on those funds, and the county cannot release funds held by your card issuer.

Always print or save your receipt—the county portal makes it easy to generate a receipt immediately after an online payment, which is crucial for mortgage escrow audits or home sales.

Truth in Taxation: See the Numbers Behind Your Bill

Texas law requires transparency about proposed and adopted tax rates. During the rate-setting season (typically August and September), local entities update databases frequently so you can see how proposed rates would affect your property. Tarrant County reinforces those state requirements by publishing rate worksheets and contact pathways.

For a county-level primer on terms and timelines, read the county’s truth-in-taxation summary linked from the property tax hub.

For direct access to your local property tax database, use the statewide portal. You can monitor proposals and adopted rates and subscribe to updates so you’re notified as entities take action.

Get to your official statewide resource at Texas Property Tax Transparency: Texas Property Tax Transparency.

Know the Calendar: Avoid Penalties with Dates That Matter

Every tax year follows set statutory dates:

Statements released ahead of the delinquency date.

Timely payment window before penalties and interest begin.

Quarter pay and split pay options where authorized by statute or policy.

Escrow and mortgage servicer remittances that may pay on your behalf—verify your account after lender changes.

The county’s property tax hub organizes these deadlines and offers printable statements and receipts through the portal so you can align payments with your budget and avoid penalty accruals. If you anticipate difficulties, contact the office early to understand what options may apply for your account type.

Visit Smart: Match the Task to the Right Branch

Each branch can handle core services, but there are subtleties worth noting:

Some locations feature secure drop boxes (property tax checks only) either inside or outside the building.

The downtown main office maintains a lobby kiosk for property tax and an interior secure drop box.

Wait time visibility is available for participating branches, making it easier to pick the best time to go for motor vehicle services or property tax payments.

Confirm addresses, hours, and special notes before you drive by reviewing Branch Maps & Locations: Branch Maps & Locations.

When to Use State Sites vs. County Tools

A helpful rule of thumb:

Use county tools for property tax account search and payments, local branch services, truth-in-taxation worksheets, refunds, paperless billing, and wait times.

Use state tools for vehicle registration renewals, driver license and inspection requirements, and statewide property tax transparency across all taxing units.

For statewide registration renewals specifically, visit the TxDMV portal the county links from its motor vehicle page: Renew Your Registration.

Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Offices (Addresses & Phone Numbers)

Main Office — 100 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-1100
Arlington — 700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010 — 817-548-3935
Southlake — 1400 Main Street, Suite 110, Southlake, TX 76092 — 817-884-1100
Mansfield — 1100 E. Broad Street, Mansfield, TX 76063 — 817-473-5127
Northeast — 645 Grapevine Hwy., Hurst, TX 76054 — 817-581-3635
Northwest — 6713 Telephone Road, Room 101, Lake Worth, TX 76135 — 817-238-4435
Poly — 3212 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76119 — 817-531-5635
Southwest — 6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth, TX 76133 — 817-370-4535

Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector FAQs

How do I look up my property tax account, pay online, or print a receipt?

Start with the county’s secure portal: use Pay My Property Tax Account to search by name, address, or account number, make payments, and instantly print statements or receipts. The updated portal no longer requires creating a profile to pay, and it lets you estimate taxes, view entities, and download documentation for your records. If you prefer digital notices going forward, enroll in Paperless Billing to receive statements electronically and reduce mail delays.

Which payment methods are accepted, and are there convenience fees?

The Tax Office accepts cash and checks in person, plus major debit/credit cards in person, online, by phone (property tax only), and at the payment kiosk for property tax. Some card transactions include processor fees; E-Check and standard checks do not carry an additional fee. Gift cards, payroll cards, and similar “cash cards” aren’t accepted, and attempting to use them may leave funds in a pending status with your card issuer for weeks. Review the full, current list of options and fee details on Forms of Payment before you head to a branch or pay online.

What’s the quickest way to plan an in-person visit for motor vehicle or property tax services?

Before driving over, check real-time lobby queues and standard hours (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding county holidays). For motor vehicle services, non-dealers can reserve a place in line online; dealers have a separate appointment system. To plan effectively and avoid peak waits at any of the eight service branches, monitor Get Online Wait Times by Location and use the linked “Get in line” options shown there.

How can I track tax rates, notices, and Truth-in-Taxation updates?

During the August–September rate-setting period, property owners can follow proposed rates, estimated taxes, and adoption timelines through the county’s official Truth in Taxation site. From there, you can search your property and subscribe to email notifications when taxing units update their data. For historical and current worksheets tied to rate calculations, check the Property Tax section of the county site referenced above.