DFW property tax breakdown: Why your tax bill is so high and what you can do

DFW property taxes are among the highest in the nation. Here's exactly where your money goes and how to fight back.

Average effective property tax rates by city:

• Fort Worth: 2.36%
• Dallas: 2.18%
• Plano: 2.15%
• Frisco: 2.16%
• McKinney: 2.22%
• Arlington: 2.24%
• Southlake: 1.87% (lower rate but higher home values)

Where your tax dollar goes (example: Dallas):

• School district: ~52%
• City of Dallas: ~24%
• Dallas County: ~14%
• Dallas College (DCCCD): ~7%
• Parkland Hospital: ~3%

How to protest (and win):

1. File a protest with your county appraisal district by May 15 (or 30 days after notice)
2. Gather comps: Find 3-5 comparable homes that sold for less than your appraised value
3. Check for errors: square footage, room count, condition
4. Attend the informal hearing first — this is where most cases settle
5. If informal fails, go to the ARB (Appraisal Review Board) hearing

Success rates: Dallas County CAD informal hearings result in reduction ~65% of the time. Average reduction: $15,000-30,000 in appraised value.

Homestead exemption: File this IMMEDIATELY when you buy. Removes $100,000 from school district taxable value (as of 2024 Prop 4). Saves ~$1,000/year.

Sources:

• Dallas Central Appraisal District — tax rate data
• Collin County CAD — tax rates
• Tarrant County CAD — tax rates
• Texas Comptroller — property tax guides
• Texas Property Code — Chapter 41 (protest procedures)