Williamson County (wilco) property tax: the complete guide

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the Williamson County property tax system and who runs it?

Three separate offices touch your tax bill, and knowing which one does what saves you weeks of chasing the wrong people. WCAD sets your value. The taxing units set the rates. The Tax Assessor-Collector takes the money.

Williamson County sits north of Austin and has been one of the fastest-growing counties in the country for over a decade. Assessed values have jumped hard for a lot of homeowners. The system itself, though, is not complicated once you see the three roles.

The Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD) appraises every parcel in the county as of January 1 each year. WCAD does not set your tax rate. It does not collect a dollar. It only determines market value. ^[1]

The taxing units set their own rates. That group includes the county, your city (Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Taylor, and others), your school district, emergency services districts, and often a Municipal Utility District (MUD). Each rate gets applied to WCAD's appraised value after exemptions, and the sum is your bill. ^[2]

The Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector collects the money and runs payment processing, installment plans, and tax certificates. That office is separate from WCAD. Want to fight your value? Go to WCAD. Want to pay or set up a plan? Go to the Tax Assessor-Collector.

One more body matters once your protest reaches a hearing: the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is a panel of citizens, independent of WCAD, that hears protests and rules on them. WCAD appraises, the ARB hears disputes, the tax office collects. Everything else in this guide builds on those three roles.

What are the current Williamson County property tax rates?

Texas rates are quoted in dollars per $100 of taxable value. A rate of $0.50 means you owe fifty cents for every $100 the taxing unit assigns to your property after exemptions. School districts eat up most of your bill.

The rates below are adopted rates from the 2023 tax year, because some jurisdictions were still finalizing 2024 rates as of this writing. Verify current numbers at each taxing unit's website or through the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector's rate lookup. ^[2]

Taxing Unit	2023 Rate (per $100)
Williamson County	$0.3676
Round Rock ISD	$1.0592
Georgetown ISD	$1.1548
Leander ISD	$1.2788
Hutto ISD	$1.2439
City of Round Rock	$0.3473
City of Georgetown	$0.3930
City of Cedar Park	$0.3208
City of Leander	$0.3846

Look at the gap. If you live in Leander ISD, the school portion alone is $1.2788 per $100, so a $400,000 taxable home owes about $5,115 to the school district before any other unit adds a slice. ^[8]

The Texas Comptroller publishes a Property Value Study each year and reports county-level effective rates. For Williamson County, the 2023 effective rate on residential property averaged roughly 1.73%, though your personal rate depends entirely on which city and school district your parcel sits in. ^[4]

MUD taxes are the wild card. Many newer subdivisions in Wilco sit inside a Municipal Utility District that adds another $0.50 to $1.50 per $100 on top of everything above. Check your full tax bill or the WCAD property search to see every taxing unit hitting your parcel. ^[1]

How does WCAD calculate my appraised value?

WCAD uses mass appraisal, the standard method in Texas, governed by Texas Property Tax Code Chapter 23. ^[5] Mass appraisal means WCAD does not inspect each home individually every year. Appraisers build statistical models from recent sales, then apply those models to properties with similar characteristics.

The legal standard is market value. Texas Tax Code Section 1.04(7) defines it as "the price at which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under prevailing market conditions" with both buyer and seller motivated and neither under unusual pressure. ^[5] WCAD aims to hit that number as of January 1.

In practice, WCAD groups homes by neighborhood, age range, square footage, and other traits, then calibrates the model to recent comparable sales. If your neighborhood saw a lot of high-priced sales in late 2022 and early 2023, the 2024 appraisal for your similar home reflects those sales even if the market cooled by the time your notice landed.

Here is the protection most homeowners forget they have. Once a homestead exemption is in place, WCAD cannot raise your appraised value by more than 10% per year, no matter what the market does. ^[5] That cap does not touch non-homestead properties, commercial parcels, or your first year of ownership (the cap starts the year after you qualify for homestead). The 10% cap is one of the most valuable lines in the Texas tax code, and plenty of owners never claim it.

Land gets valued off comparable land sales. Commercial property often uses the income approach, capitalizing net operating income. If you own rental property in Wilco, WCAD may be using income assumptions you can challenge.

What exemptions can lower my Williamson County property tax bill?

Exemptions cut your taxable value before any rate hits it. They cost nothing to apply for, and the savings land as soon as WCAD approves them. File with WCAD, not with any taxing unit.

Homestead exemption. Texas mandates a $100,000 homestead exemption from school district taxes starting with the 2023 tax year, raised from $40,000 by SB 2 in the 2023 special session. ^[3] The county and other units can add their own. Williamson County offers a 20% optional homestead exemption from county taxes. You must occupy the home as your principal residence on January 1 to qualify. There is no strict cutoff to keep the exemption, but WCAD takes current-year applications January 1 through April 30 and allows late filings within limits. ^[1]

Over-65 exemption. Homeowners 65 or older get an extra $10,000 exemption from school taxes plus whatever the county and other units offer. The bigger deal is the freeze. Your school district taxes lock at the level from the year you turn 65 and qualify, and they cannot rise even if the rate or value climbs. That freeze transfers to a surviving spouse who is at least 55. ^[5]

Disability exemption. Homeowners drawing disability benefits from the Social Security Administration get the same $10,000 school exemption and freeze as the over-65 group. You cannot stack the over-65 and disability exemptions for school taxes, but either one gives you the freeze. ^[5]

100% disabled veteran exemption. Veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pay nothing on their homestead, a $0 tax bill. Partially disabled veterans get scaled exemptions from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on rating. ^[5]

Agricultural (ag) exemption. This is a special valuation, not a true exemption. Land in qualifying agricultural use gets valued at its productive capacity instead of market value, which can slash the taxable value of rural Wilco parcels. Ask WCAD about eligibility if you own rural land. ^[1]

File exemption applications directly with WCAD at 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626, or online through the WCAD website. ^[1]

When is the Williamson County property tax protest deadline?

The deadline to file a protest with WCAD is May 15, or 30 days after the date on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. ^[5] Miss it and the ARB can throw out your protest. Set a reminder the day your notice arrives.

WCAD usually mails notices in April. If your notice is dated April 1, your 30-day window closes May 1, which is earlier than May 15, so May 15 governs. If WCAD mails late and your notice is dated April 20, your 30 days runs to May 20, and you get until May 20.

A late protest is a hard problem. Texas law lets the ARB dismiss it in most cases. The exceptions are narrow: clerical errors, a property that was not on the appraisal roll, or an owner who was never properly notified. Do not plan around those.

You can file online through WCAD's iFile system, by mail, or in person. Online is the easiest route and it gives you a confirmation number. Keep that number. ^[1]

Commercial and income-producing property runs on the same May 15 or 30-day rule. Business personal property may get a separate notice on a different date, so watch for it.

After you file, WCAD schedules either an informal hearing (a phone or in-person meeting with an appraiser) or a formal ARB hearing. Most protests that settle do so at the informal stage, which is faster and less stiff than the ARB.

How do I protest my Williamson County appraisal and what evidence do I need?

For most homeowners this is a two-stage process: an informal conference with an appraiser, then an ARB hearing if you and the appraiser cannot agree. File first, gather evidence second. You do not need a case in hand to file.

File your protest first. File by the deadline at wcad.org or by mailing a written notice. The form asks for your property ID (on your notice) and the grounds for protest. The common ground is "value is over market value." You can also protest on unequal appraisal, meaning your property is taxed at a higher percentage of market value than comparable homes. ^[5]

Evidence that works. Recent sales of comparable homes near yours are the strongest thing you can bring. Pull closed sales from the MLS (your real estate agent can run a CMA for free or cheap), Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com. Look for homes with similar square footage, age, lot size, and condition that sold in the six months before January 1 of the tax year. If those comps average $380,000 and WCAD has you at $420,000, you have a real case.

For unequal appraisal you need WCAD's own data. Under Texas Tax Code Section 41.461, WCAD must give you the information it used to appraise your property at least 14 days before your ARB hearing if you ask. ^[5] Ask. You can also look up neighbors' values on WCAD's public property search and figure their appraised value as a percentage of a recent sale price. If they sit at 90% of market and you sit at 105%, that is an unequal appraisal argument.

Photos of condition problems (roof damage, foundation cracks, dated systems) help, especially when WCAD's records show your home in better shape than it is. Bring a repair estimate from a licensed contractor if you have one.

At the informal hearing. The WCAD appraiser reviews your evidence and may offer a reduction. You do not have to accept it. If the offer is still too high, go to the ARB.

At the ARB hearing. Present to the panel. The ARB is not a court, but treat it like it matters. Bring printed copies of your comps for each member. Be short. The ARB's job is to set market value, so stay on that. State your requested value clearly at the start.

Want a structured walkthrough for pulling comps and building your presentation without handing a contingency firm 30 to 40% of your savings? The TaxFightBack DIY Appeal Kit covers the whole process with WCAD-specific forms and comp worksheets.

After the ARB rules, you still have options: binding arbitration (for homesteads and other property types valued at $5 million or less under recent amendments), the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), or district court. ^[9] Most homeowners never go past the ARB.

How do I pay my Williamson County property tax bill and what are the payment deadlines?

Payment goes to the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector, not WCAD. The main office is at 904 S Main Street, Georgetown, TX 78626, with branch offices in Cedar Park and Round Rock. ^[2] The deadline is January 31 of the following year.

Taxes assessed in 2024 are due by January 31, 2025. Pay by that date and you owe nothing extra. Miss it and a 6% penalty plus 1% interest hits on February 1, with more penalty and interest stacking each month. ^[5]

You can pay online at the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector website by e-check or credit/debit card. Card payments carry a processing fee (often around 2.15% or a minimum dollar amount; check the current fee schedule). E-check fees run lower. For more on paying property taxes online, see our guide to online tax payment for property.

Texas allows four installments for homestead owners with an over-65 or disability exemption. Those owners split the bill into four equal payments, due January 31, March 31, May 31, and July 31, with no penalty when each installment lands on time. ^[5]

Everyone else can pay in two installments under a quieter provision: half by November 30 of the tax year and the rest by June 30 of the following year, but only if the taxing unit allows it and you notify the collector in writing. Most people skip it because the single January 31 payment is simpler.

Cannot pay and facing real hardship? Texas lets delinquent taxpayers enter payment plans with the county under Tax Code Section 33.02. Interest and penalties still run, but a plan keeps a tax lien from marching toward foreclosure while you pay. Call the Tax Assessor-Collector directly.

What happens if I miss the property tax deadline in Williamson County?

The Texas penalty structure is steep and front-loaded. On February 1, a 6% penalty plus 1% interest hits your unpaid balance. Every month after that adds another 1% interest. If you still have not paid by July 1, a 20% collection fee lands on top. ^[5]

That 20% collection fee (sometimes called the attorney fee) comes from Texas Tax Code Section 33.07 and kicks in when the county hands delinquent accounts to an outside collection firm. It is not optional, and you cannot talk it down by asking nicely.

Delinquent taxes become a lien on the property automatically under Texas law, and the county can eventually file a tax foreclosure suit. The path from delinquency to foreclosure is not weeks. It usually takes years. But the penalties and fees pile up fast, and the lien rides with the property through any sale.

Senior and disabled homeowners have a cushion. The over-65 or disability exemption and its installment plan head off the worst of this. Sold your home mid-year? Confirm with the title company that taxes were prorated right at closing and that any unpaid amounts from prior years got cleared, because that lien follows the deed.

How does Williamson County property tax compare to other Texas counties?

Texas has no state income tax, which pushes the revenue load onto property taxes, so its effective rates rank among the highest in the country. Texas Comptroller 2023 data puts the statewide median effective rate around 1.60% to 1.80% depending on property type and county. ^[4]

Williamson County at roughly 1.73% sits near the statewide median and a touch above some suburban counties, mostly because of strong school district rates. Collin County, home to Plano and Frisco, has ridden similar growth. For a look at how another fast-growing Texas suburb handles assessment and appeals, our Collin County property tax guide is a useful parallel.

Travis County (Austin proper) carries higher median home values and a slightly different rate mix. Wilco owners who feel their situation mirrors Austin's will find heavy overlap in the appeal mechanics, since both counties run under the same Texas Property Tax Code.

Outside Texas, counties in Florida (like Miami-Dade) and California (like Santa Clara or Contra Costa) run under completely different assessment rules with very different effective rates. The Texas setup is unusual: high nominal rates, no income tax, and fairly open protest rights.

The rate table above shows how much of your Wilco bill comes from the school district. That is the lever to watch. When school districts adopt lower maintenance-and-operations rates (which they must as state funding rises under HB 3 from 2019 and later legislation), your total bill can fall even if your appraised value holds. ^[10]

What is the Williamson Central Appraisal District and how do I contact them?

WCAD is the appraisal district responsible for all property valuation in Williamson County. It runs under the Texas Property Tax Code and is governed by a Board of Directors chosen by representatives of the county's taxing units. ^[1]

WCAD's main office is at 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626. The main phone line and the iFile online protest portal are both reachable through wcad.org. Owners can look up any parcel's appraised value, ownership history, legal description, and exemption status on the free public property search, no login required. ^[1]

To pull your notice, file a protest, request evidence, or apply for an exemption, you need your property's account number (printed on your Notice of Appraised Value).

WCAD usually runs extended hours in April and May around the protest deadline. Have a plain question about your property's characteristics (recorded square footage, year built, bedroom count)? Call or visit before you file. Sometimes WCAD has a data error they will fix quickly, and that is the easiest win going.

The ARB is a separate body from WCAD. If your informal protest does not settle, WCAD schedules your ARB hearing and mails a notice with the date, time, and location. Williamson County ARB hearings are held at WCAD's offices.

Can I appeal my Williamson County appraisal after the ARB and what does that cost?

Yes. If the ARB rules against you or offers a value you still think is too high, Texas gives you three post-ARB options. For most homeowners, binding arbitration is the realistic next step.

Binding arbitration. For homestead properties valued at $5 million or less (and non-homestead properties at $5 million or less under recent amendments), you can request binding arbitration instead of going to district court. The arbitrator comes from a state registry. Filing fees rise with value: $450 for properties up to $1 million, $500 for $1 million to $2 million, and $800 for $2 million to $3 million. ^[9] You get part of the fee back if you win, meaning if the arbitrator sets a value closer to yours than to the ARB's. Arbitration is faster and cheaper than court.

State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). An alternative to district court for protests involving equal and uniform appraisal issues. Residential homeowners rarely use it.

District Court. You can sue the appraisal district in Williamson County district court. You must first pay the undisputed portion of your taxes or your suit can be dismissed. Attorney fees make this realistic mostly for high-value commercial property where the potential savings cover the legal cost. A contingency property tax attorney usually takes 30 to 40% of the first year's savings if they win, which is why doing your own homework with tools like the TaxFightBack DIY Appeal Kit pays off for most residential owners.

Seeing how other Texas counties handle post-ARB appeals helps for context. The mechanics are identical statewide because they flow from the same Tax Code, but individual ARB cultures vary. Our Williamson County property tax overview covers the local context if you want more depth on the ARB process here.

What are the most common mistakes homeowners make with Wilco property taxes?

Missing the protest deadline is the most expensive mistake by far. You get one shot per year, and the ARB has no sympathy for a late filing without a real legal exception.

Skipping the homestead exemption is the second-biggest error, especially for newer owners. Buy a home in 2022 or 2023 and never file, and you gave up the 10% appraisal cap and the $100,000 school district reduction. File retroactively if you qualify. WCAD accepts late homestead applications up to two years after the deadline, with conditions. ^[1]

Treating the appraised value as fixed. Plenty of homeowners assume WCAD's number is gospel. It is a model-generated estimate. At an ARB hearing, the burden is on WCAD to defend the value, not on you to disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt. You just have to show credible evidence that a lower value is more accurate.

Not requesting WCAD's evidence package before the ARB hearing. Texas Tax Code Section 41.461 gives you the right to receive everything WCAD will use at your hearing at least 14 days ahead. ^[5] If WCAD shows up with evidence it never disclosed, you can object and the ARB should exclude it. Requesting the package also tells you exactly what you face.

Accepting the first informal offer without pushback. WCAD appraisers are generally fair, but they open with a number. Solid comps showing a lower value? Push. The worst case is they hold firm and you go to the ARB, which you were ready to do anyway.

Frequently asked questions

When are Williamson County property tax notices mailed?

WCAD usually mails Notices of Appraised Value in April, though the exact date shifts a week or two each year. Watch your mail from late March on. The notice shows your January 1 appraised value and lists any exemptions already applied. The protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice date, whichever is later.

How do I look up my Williamson County appraisal online?

Go to wcad.org and use the free public property search. You can search by owner name, address, or property account number. The search shows your current appraised value, taxable value after exemptions, the property characteristics WCAD has on file, and your value history for prior years. No login is required.

Does the homestead exemption apply automatically when I buy a house in Wilco?

No. You must file an application with WCAD, and it does not carry over from the previous owner. You must occupy the home as your principal residence as of January 1 of the year you apply. File as early in the year as you can. The standard cutoff is April 30, and WCAD takes applications online, by mail, or in person.

What is the over-65 property tax freeze in Williamson County?

Once you qualify for the over-65 exemption, your school district taxes freeze at that year's level for as long as you own and occupy the home. The freeze means your school taxes cannot rise even if the appraised value or the school tax rate goes up. It transfers to a surviving spouse who is 55 or older. Apply through WCAD with proof of age.

How much does it cost to protest my WCAD appraisal?

Filing a protest is free. The informal conference with a WCAD appraiser is free. The ARB hearing is free. If you go to binding arbitration, fees run $450 to $800 depending on property value, with partial refunds if you prevail. District court brings attorney fees. For most homeowners representing themselves, the whole process costs nothing out of pocket.

Can a landlord or property investor protest a Williamson County appraisal?

Yes. Any owner can protest, including owners of rental homes, commercial buildings, vacant land, and business personal property. Non-homestead properties have no 10% appraisal cap, which makes protesting especially important when values jump. The same May 15 deadline applies, and the same evidence rules govern the process.

What is a Municipal Utility District (MUD) and why does it appear on my Wilco tax bill?

A MUD is a special-purpose governmental entity created to fund infrastructure like water, sewer, and drainage in developing areas. Many subdivisions built in Williamson County from the 2000s through the 2020s sit inside a MUD. MUD rates can add $0.50 to $1.50 per $100 of value on top of county, city, and school taxes. Check your account on the WCAD website or the Tax Assessor-Collector's site to see if you are in one.

What if my Williamson County tax bill seems wrong after the rate was applied?

Billing errors (wrong rate applied, wrong exemption status, wrong taxable value used) go to the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector's office, not WCAD. Contact them at 904 S Main Street, Georgetown, or through their official website. If the error sits in the appraised or taxable value itself, that goes back to WCAD.

Can I get a property tax deferral in Williamson County if I'm elderly or disabled?

Yes. Texas Tax Code Section 33.06 lets homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled, or the surviving spouse (55 or older) of such a person defer property taxes on their homestead without penalty or interest until they no longer own or occupy the home. The deferred taxes become a lien on the property. File a deferral affidavit with the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector.

How do I find comparable sales to use in my Wilco appraisal protest?

Start with free tools: Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com all show recent closed sales. Filter for homes within half a mile, similar square footage (within 15 to 20%), similar age, and sold in the six months before January 1 of the tax year. Your real estate agent can pull MLS data for free. WCAD's own sales database on their website is another source to check against your value.

What is unequal appraisal and can I use it to protest in Williamson County?

Unequal appraisal means your property is appraised at a higher percentage of market value than comparable properties nearby. Texas Tax Code Section 41.43 gives you the right to protest on this ground. You do not have to prove WCAD got the market value wrong. You only need to show your ratio runs higher than your neighbors' ratios. It is a separate argument and often a stronger one where some homes have sold recently and others have not.

Does Williamson County offer any property tax exemptions for veterans?

Yes. Veterans with a 100% VA disability rating pay zero property taxes on their homestead in Texas. Partially disabled veterans receive exemptions from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on rating, with an extra $10,000 for those 65 or older. Surviving spouses of veterans killed in action also qualify for the full exemption. Apply through WCAD with your VA rating letter.

How long does a Williamson County property tax protest take from filing to decision?

Informal hearings usually get scheduled within four to eight weeks of filing. Accept the informal offer and you are done. Go to the ARB and expect another two to six weeks for scheduling. Most protests that reach the ARB resolve within 90 days of the filing date. Binding arbitration adds several more months if you need it.

Sources

1. Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD), official homepage: WCAD appraises all property in Williamson County as of January 1 each year, offers online iFile protest filing, and publishes public property search data including exemption status and value history
2. Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector, official site: The Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector collects property taxes, publishes a tax rate lookup, and operates the main office at 904 S Main Street, Georgetown, with branches in Cedar Park and Round Rock
3. Texas Legislature Online, 88th Legislature (2023) property tax relief legislation: 2023 property tax relief legislation increased the mandatory homestead exemption from school district taxes to $100,000, effective for the 2023 tax year
4. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division: The Texas Comptroller's Property Value Study reports county-level effective tax rates; the statewide residential effective rate ran roughly 1.60% to 1.80% in recent years and Williamson County averaged approximately 1.73%
5. Texas Property Tax Code (Texas Statutes): The Texas Property Tax Code governs mass appraisal (Ch. 23), the Sec. 1.04(7) market value definition, the 10% homestead appraisal cap, exemptions, the May 15 protest deadline, evidence rights under Sec. 41.461, and penalty and interest structures
6. Round Rock ISD, adopted budget and tax rate documentation: Round Rock ISD adopted a 2023 tax rate of approximately $1.0592 per $100 of taxable value
7. Georgetown ISD, tax rate information: Georgetown ISD adopted a 2023 tax rate of approximately $1.1548 per $100 of taxable value
8. Leander ISD, financial and budget information: Leander ISD adopted a 2023 tax rate of approximately $1.2788 per $100 of taxable value
9. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Taxpayer Rights and Remedies pamphlet (Form 96-295): Describes binding arbitration fees by property value tier ($450 for under $1M, $500 for $1M to $2M, $800 for $2M to $3M) and the post-ARB options available to Texas property owners
10. Texas Legislature Online, HB 3 (86th Legislature, 2019): HB 3 (2019) increased state education funding and required school districts to reduce their maintenance-and-operations tax rates, which affected total Wilco effective rates