O’Connor discusses the new Harris County property tax portal for online payments.
HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, January 30, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ —
The deadline to pay property taxes on time in Texas is typically January 31, 2026. Thanks to the due date coming on a Saturday, payments will still be accepted as current on February 2, 2026. With it being so close to the deadline, mailing issues could cause tax bills to arrive late, while going in-person can mean long lines, especially in tax offices that also handle vehicle registration and other licensing. Fitting it in on a lunch break may not be possible, or at least very inconvenient.
When it comes to paying property taxes in Harris County and the rest of Texas, online payments have generally been something of an afterthought. Most taxpayers have instead needed to come in to pay in-person, mail their tax payment, or pay by phone. The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office took steps to remedy the situation at the end of 2025 by launching the My Harris County Tax portal. This portal offers taxpayers the chance to instantly pay online, while also compressing vital information into a central hub. This has resulted in one of the more modern systems used by an assessor-collector in Texas.
Simplifying a Complex Issue
The MY Harris County Tax portal offers an easy way to view the property, see what exemptions the owner has, and how much they owe. Owners simply create an account, look up their property, and link it to their email. It also allows owners to link their account to multiple properties, so they can view information on all the real estate they own and see how much they owe. Having the ability to view multiple properties in one place is a first for Harris County. The integrated system and options for automated payments also have the benefit of ensuring that all of the owner’s properties are paid fully, which helps prevent them from missing a deadline and falling into delinquency.
Never Miss a Deadline
Typically, in Texas, once owners receive their bill in the mail, they will not experience any communication from the CAD unless they are delinquent. Even then, this is usually months later, when the fees, interest, and other penalties have piled up. Owners may not even hear from anyone until they get a collections letter from a law firm. This means even more fees to sort out, which can quickly add up in a short window. With a hectic schedule, it is quite easy to become delinquent without even realizing it. This is usually true for older homeowners, who might not keep up with things, though any busy taxpayer can fall into this trap.
The assessor-collector added an alert system that will email property owners a reminder when deadlines are upcoming or even passed. When coupled with centralizing the Harris County tax bill, this means that owners will get a reminder every year for every property they own, even between when the bills were sent out and when they have to pay. Now owners do not have to worry about their bill being lost in the mail or losing it at home, they will always have a reminder in their inbox. Owners can even use the portal to pay their taxes in advance, if they have the means.
Easy Payments
Previously, it could be difficult to pay tax bills online with the Harris County collector, as it typically required an e-check to pay. This was not instantaneous like a credit card or ACH transfer, and could not be tracked as efficiently. Also, if an error occurred, it would be harder to correct than a paper check. The new portal allows credit cards, e-checks, and ACH transfers. This gives a broader and faster means of payment. This finally makes online payment viable for most taxpayers, while simplifying the process once again. There are fees for the use of credit and debit cards, which should be minded. These can even be seen as relatively steep, but it does offer instant payment, ensuring that taxes are paid in full, blocking any chance of delinquency. Partial payments can also be made online, though delinquent fees will still accrue.
Other Texas Counties are Rolling Out Similar Systems
Harris County appears to have one of the newer and more advanced portals, but several other counties are using similar systems or soon will be. Tarrant County now utilizes a surprisingly robust system with many traits similar to My Harris County Tax. Dallas County has a simpler system, but it is still an upgrade over the one formally in place. Most major counties now allow a taxpayer to group properties together, helping business owners and landlords. As more counties start to transition, greater leaps are sure to be achieved in the future. If owners are up against the deadline or are delinquent, they should check their assessor-collector’s website to see what options they offer.
About O’Connor:
O’Connor is one of the largest property tax consulting firms, representing 185,000 clients in 49 states and Canada, handling about 295,000 protests in 2024, with residential property tax reduction services in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and New York. O’Connor’s possesses the resources and market expertise in the areas of property tax, cost segregation, commercial and residential real estate appraisals. The firm was founded in 1974 and employs a team of 1,000 worldwide. O’Connor’s core focus is enriching the lives of property owners through cost effective tax reduction.
Property owners interested in assistance appealing their assessment can enroll in O’Connor’s Property Tax Protection Program ™. There is no upfront fee, or any fee unless we reduce your property taxes, and easy online enrollment only takes 2 to 3 minutes.
Patrick O’Connor, President
O’Connor
+ + +1 713-375-4128
email us here
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