Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Franklin County

Property taxes in Franklin County are "ad valorem" taxes, meaning they are based on the market value of the property as determined by the Franklin County Appraisal District (FCAD). Each year, the appraisal district identifies and appraises all taxable property within the county as of January 1st. Once the market value is established, various taxing units—including the county, school districts like Mount Vernon ISD, and cities—set their annual tax rates to meet their budget requirements.

While some states use millage rates (tax per $1,000 of value), Texas utilizes a tax rate expressed in dollars per $100 of property value. To estimate your tax liability, you divide your property’s assessed value by 100 and multiply that figure by the combined tax rate of your specific taxing jurisdictions. This ensures that the local government can fund essential services such as public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services.

Available Exemptions

Texas offers several exemptions that can significantly reduce the taxable value of your property in Franklin County. To qualify, the property must be your primary residence. Common exemptions include:

• General Residence Homestead: Provides a substantial reduction in the appraised value for school district taxes.
• Senior Citizen (Over-65) Exemption: Offers an additional exemption and a "tax ceiling" that freezes the amount of school taxes you pay, ensuring they do not increase as long as you own the home.
• Disability Exemption: Available to individuals who meet Social Security Administration definitions for disability, providing similar benefits to the over-65 exemption.
• Disabled Veteran Exemption: Provides a partial or total exemption based on the veteran's disability rating as determined by the VA.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

The Franklin County tax year begins on January 1st, and tax bills are typically mailed to property owners in October. Payments are due upon receipt; however, taxpayers have until January 31st of the following year to pay without incurring penalties. On February 1st, unpaid taxes are considered delinquent, and statutory penalties and interest begin to accrue monthly.

For individuals qualified for the over-65 or disability exemptions, Franklin County allows for a "quarterly installment" plan. This allows the tax bill to be paid in four equal installments without penalty, provided the first payment is made by January 31st and the remaining payments are made by March 31st, May 31st, and July 31st.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe the Franklin County Appraisal District has overvalued your property or treated it unequally compared to similar properties, you have the right to protest. The process begins when you receive your Notice of Appraised Value in the spring. You must file a written protest with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) by May 15th, or within 30 days of receiving the notice.

The appeals process generally follows these steps:

• Informal Meeting: You may meet with an appraiser to discuss the value and provide evidence, such as recent sales of comparable homes or photos of property damage.
• Formal Hearing: If an agreement is not reached informally, you will present your case before the ARB, a panel of independent citizens.
• Final Determination: The ARB will issue a written order establishing the final value of your property for the tax year.