How to use this calculator
Enter your home’s market value (or what you’re considering paying), select your county and ISD, and indicate whether you’ve filed a homestead exemption. The calculator returns an estimated annual tax bill, monthly escrow, and how much the homestead exemption is saving you.
For a deeper explanation of how Texas property taxes work - assessment vs. market value, the 10% appraisal cap, exemptions, and protest rights - see the East Texas Property Taxes guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the rate change between Tyler ISD and Lindale ISD?
Texas property tax is the sum of three (sometimes four) jurisdictions: county, ISD, city (if you’re inside one), and special districts (hospital, water, MUD). The ISD is usually the biggest single line - and ISD rates vary considerably across East Texas. A home priced identically in Tyler ISD vs. Lindale ISD can have a property tax bill that differs by hundreds of dollars per year.
What’s the homestead exemption worth?
Since Texas Senate Bill 2 passed in 2023, the ISD homestead exemption is $100,000. At a 2.30% combined rate, that’s a flat $2,300/year off your tax bill. Over-65 and disabled homeowners get an additional $10,000 ISD exemption ($230 more savings at the same rate). The Homestead Savings Calculator details this.
Are these tax rates current?
Rates shown are 2024-2025 averages compiled from county appraisal district sites. Rates are set each fall by each taxing entity, so by January or February of the next year, the actual rate may differ slightly. For an exact current-year number, look up your property on the appraisal district website (Smith CAD, Gregg CAD, Henderson CAD, etc.).
Does the calculator handle properties inside city limits?
Counties have a city tax layered on top when you’re inside Tyler, Longview, Whitehouse, Lindale, or other incorporated cities. The combined averages used here include a typical city rate; if your property sits outside city limits, your real rate will be 0.4-0.7% lower than the calculator shows.
What about the 10% appraisal cap?
If you have a homestead exemption filed, your assessed value can only rise 10% per year regardless of how much your market value climbed. In a strong market, this cap can save you thousands over time. A 5-10 year homeowner who never moved often pays half what a brand-new buyer pays on an identical home next door. The cap stays with the property until you move; the next owner starts over at full market value.
Can I protest my appraisal?
Yes - every Texas property owner has the right to protest their county appraisal each year, typically by May 15. If you can show comparable sales lower than your assessment, or factual errors in the property record (square footage, lot size, condition), you can often get the assessed value reduced. We’re happy to help clients prepare comps for a protest; just ask.