El Paso Property Tax Guide
Current tax rates, exemptions that save you thousands, and a step-by-step guide to protesting your property tax appraisal in El Paso County.
How It Works
How property tax is calculated in Texas
Texas has no state income tax, which means local governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, public safety, and infrastructure. Understanding how your tax bill is calculated is the first step to managing it.
The formula is straightforward: Appraised Value - Exemptions = Taxable Value, then Taxable Value x Tax Rate = Annual Tax. Each taxing entity (county, city, school district, hospital district, community college) sets its own rate and applies it independently.
Your property is appraised annually by the El Paso Central Appraisal District (El Paso CAD). The appraised value is supposed to reflect market value as of January 1 each year. For homesteaded properties, annual increases are capped at 10% (reduced to 10% in recent legislative sessions from the previous 10% cap — currently being debated for further reduction).
The Formula
Appraised Value
$300,000
Homestead Exemption
$100,000
Taxable Value (School)
$200,000
The $100,000 homestead exemption applies only to school district taxes. County, city, and other entities have their own (usually smaller) exemptions.
Current Rates
El Paso property tax rates by entity
Rates are per $100 of assessed value. Your total rate is the sum of all entities that tax your property. Most El Paso homeowners are taxed by 4–6 entities.
Taxing Entity
Rate / $100
Per $100K Value
El Paso County
$0.443042
$443
City of El Paso
$0.815090
$815
EPISD (El Paso ISD)
$1.042400
$1,042
SISD (Socorro ISD)
$1.121200
$1,121
YISD (Ysleta ISD)
$1.072400
$1,072
Canutillo ISD
$1.170000
$1,170
El Paso Hospital District
$0.257620
$258
El Paso Community College
$0.149122
$149
Upper Valley Water District
$0.085000
$85
Horizon Regional MUD
$0.450000
$450
Rates shown are approximate and based on recent tax years. Your actual rate depends on which entities have jurisdiction over your specific property. Verify at epcad.org.
Typical Total Rate (City of El Paso + EPISD)
~2.24% effective rate
On a $300,000 home in the City of El Paso / EPISD, expect roughly $6,720 per year in property taxes before exemptions — about $560/month added to your mortgage.
Save Thousands
Property tax exemptions in El Paso
Texas offers generous exemptions that can dramatically lower your tax bill. Make sure you are claiming every exemption you qualify for.
General Homestead Exemption
Who Qualifies
All homeowners who occupy their property as a primary residence
Tax Benefit
Removes $100,000 from your appraised value for school district taxes (since 2023 Texas law). Some entities offer an additional percentage exemption (typically 20% of appraised value).
Deadline
Apply by April 30 of the tax year. Late applications accepted up to 2 years after the deadline.
Over-65 Exemption
Who Qualifies
Homeowners age 65 or older occupying the property as a primary residence
Tax Benefit
An additional $10,000 off school district taxes on top of the homestead exemption. Many El Paso entities offer their own over-65 exemptions. School district taxes are frozen at the amount due the year you turn 65 or the year you apply.
Deadline
Apply the year you turn 65. Retroactive applications accepted up to 5 years.
Disabled Veteran Exemption
Who Qualifies
Veterans with a VA-rated disability of 10% or more
Tax Benefit
Partial exemption based on disability rating (10–100%). Veterans rated 100% disabled receive a full property tax exemption on their homestead — no property tax owed at all. Surviving spouses may also qualify.
Deadline
Apply any time after receiving your VA disability rating. Retroactive to date of disability.
Disability Exemption
Who Qualifies
Homeowners who are disabled as defined by law (receiving disability benefits)
Tax Benefit
Same benefits as the over-65 exemption — additional $10,000 off school taxes plus a tax ceiling (freeze). Cannot be combined with the over-65 exemption.
Deadline
Apply by April 30. Doctor's statement or proof of disability benefits required.
Do not miss the homestead exemption
The $100,000 school tax homestead exemption alone saves the average El Paso homeowner over $1,000 per year. If you bought your home and have not filed, apply at epcad.org immediately — you can file retroactively for up to two years.
Fight Your Appraisal
How to protest your El Paso property tax
You have the right to protest your property's appraised value every year. The process is free, straightforward, and worth your time.
Review Your Appraisal Notice
The El Paso Central Appraisal District (El Paso CAD) mails appraisal notices in April or May. Check that the property details (square footage, bedrooms, lot size) are accurate. Errors here are easy wins.
File Your Protest by May 15
You must file a written protest by May 15 (or within 30 days of the notice date, whichever is later). File online at the El Paso CAD website, by mail, or in person at 5801 Trowbridge Dr.
Gather Comparable Sales
Pull 3–5 recent sales of similar homes within half a mile of your property. Focus on homes that sold for less than your appraised value. Your ProGen agent can provide MLS comps at no charge.
Document Property Condition Issues
Foundation cracks, outdated systems, deferred maintenance, flood zone location, or proximity to commercial/industrial areas can all justify a lower valuation. Take photos and get repair estimates.
Attend the Informal Hearing
Before the formal ARB hearing, the appraisal district offers an informal meeting. Most protests are resolved here. Bring your comps and condition evidence. Be respectful and factual.
Formal ARB Hearing (if needed)
If the informal meeting does not resolve your protest, you can appear before the Appraisal Review Board. You have 15 minutes to present your case. The ARB's decision can be further appealed to district court or binding arbitration.
Monthly Payment Impact
Property tax & your mortgage
If you have a mortgage, your lender almost certainly collects property taxes through an escrow account. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment goes into escrow, and the lender pays your tax bill on your behalf in January.
This means your property tax rate directly affects your monthly housing cost. On a $300,000 home in El Paso with a typical 2.24% effective rate, property taxes add approximately $560 per month to your mortgage payment. That is on top of principal, interest, and homeowner's insurance.
When shopping for homes, your ProGen agent factors in the specific tax rate for each property's location — not just a city-wide average — so you get an accurate picture of your true monthly cost before making an offer.
How We Compare
El Paso vs. other Texas cities
El Paso's property tax rate is comparable to other major Texas metros — but significantly lower home values mean your actual dollar amount is often less.
City
Eff. Rate
Tax on $300K
El Paso
2.24%
$6,720
Austin
1.82%
$5,460
Dallas
2.10%
$6,300
Houston
2.23%
$6,690
San Antonio
2.30%
$6,900
Fort Worth
2.26%
$6,780
Effective rates are approximate averages and vary by neighborhood and school district. El Paso's lower median home price (~$245K) means the total dollar burden is often the lowest among these cities.
FAQ
Property tax questions
When are El Paso property taxes due?
Property tax bills are mailed in October and are due by January 31 of the following year. You can pay without penalty anytime between October 1 and January 31. After January 31, penalty and interest charges begin at 6% and increase each month. If you have a mortgage, your lender likely collects taxes monthly through escrow and pays the bill on your behalf.
How do I know which taxing entities apply to my property?
Your annual tax statement lists every entity that taxes your property and their individual rates. You can also look up your property on the El Paso CAD website (epcad.org) to see all applicable jurisdictions. The combination depends on your location — city limits, school district boundaries, and special districts like water or MUD districts.
Is it worth protesting my El Paso property taxes?
Almost always. The El Paso CAD appraises properties using mass appraisal methods that can overvalue individual homes. Historically, a significant percentage of protests result in a reduction. Even a modest reduction saves you money every year going forward. There is no cost to file a protest, and your value cannot be raised as a result of protesting.
Can I pay my El Paso property taxes in installments?
Yes. If you are over 65, disabled, or a disabled veteran, you can pay in quarterly installments without penalty. For all other homeowners, some El Paso County entities offer a partial-payment option, but you must pay the full amount by January 31 to avoid penalties. Check with the El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector for current installment plans.
How do property taxes affect my home purchase in El Paso?
Property taxes are a major component of your monthly mortgage payment. On a $300,000 home in El Paso, property taxes add roughly $560 per month to your housing cost. When qualifying for a mortgage, lenders include estimated taxes in your debt-to-income ratio. Your ProGen agent can help you estimate the total monthly cost, including taxes, for any property you are considering.
Expert Guidance
Know your costs before you buy.
Your ProGen agent calculates the exact property tax for every home you consider — so your monthly payment estimate is accurate from day one.
ProGen Real Estate — Josue R. Jimenez, Licensed Texas Broker — TREC #619091 — (915) 691-1082