Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Ellis County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

Authority	Avg. Rate
County General Fund	0.45%
School District (Avg)	1.20%
City / Local (Avg)	0.35%

How Property Tax Works in Ellis County

Property tax is an annual tax levied by local governments on real and personal property in Ellis County, Texas. The assessment process begins with the appraisal district, which determines the fair market value of each property in the county. The assessed value is then multiplied by the applicable tax rates to determine the annual tax amount. The millage rate is the amount of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. In Ellis County, the millage rate is composed of various taxing units, including the county, school districts, cities, and special districts. The total millage rate is calculated by adding the millage rates of each taxing unit. For example, if the total millage rate in Ellis County is 50 mills, and the assessed value of a property is $100,000, the annual tax amount would be: $100,000 (assessed value) / $1,000 = 100 100 x 50 mills = $5,000 (annual tax amount)

Available Exemptions

The State of Texas offers various property tax exemptions to eligible homeowners and property owners. These exemptions can help reduce the taxable value of a property and lower the annual tax amount. Available exemptions in Ellis County include:

• Homestead Exemption: Available to homeowners who occupy their primary residence in Ellis County. The exemption amount is $40,000 in the first year of eligibility and increases by $5,000 each year until the property owner reaches the age of 65 or is disabled.
• Senior Citizen Exemption: Available to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older and occupy their primary residence in Ellis County. The exemption amount is $45,000 for eligible homeowners.
• Disability Exemption: Available to homeowners who are disabled and occupy their primary residence in Ellis County. The exemption amount is $50,000 for eligible homeowners.
• Veteran Exemption: Available to property owners who are 100% disabled veterans or the surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. The exemption amount is $10,000 for eligible property owners.

To qualify for these exemptions, property owners must meet specific eligibility requirements and file an application with the Ellis County Appraisal District by the deadline.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

The annual property tax payment deadline in Ellis County is November 30th. However, property owners can choose to pay their taxes in installments. The installment payment schedule is as follows:

• First installment: August 1st (40% of annual tax amount)
• Second installment: February 1st (30% of annual tax amount)
• Third installment: August 1st (30% of annual tax amount)

Property owners who fail to pay their taxes by the deadline may be subject to penalties and interest charges. It is essential to make timely payments to avoid these additional costs.

Appealing Your Assessment

If a property owner disagrees with the assessment of their property, they can appeal to the Ellis County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is responsible for reviewing and correcting errors in property assessments. To appeal a property assessment, property owners must submit a written application to the ARB within 30 days of receiving their notice of value. The ARB will then schedule a hearing to review the property owner's appeal. If the ARB upholds the appeal, the assessed value of the property will be adjusted accordingly.