Dallas County homeowners already struggling with mortgage payments will face a tighter deadline in 2026, after the county confirmed it will not mail property tax bills until after the Nov. 3 election on whether to raise the county tax rate. The delay means bills that typically arrive with months to spare will now land just weeks before the Jan. 31 payment deadline, leaving little room for error for those already behind on their mortgages.
The stakes are significant for a median homestead. According to Dallas County figures, the county portion of the bill would be $666.52 at the higher rate, up from $558.97 last year—an increase of more than $100. Even if voters reject the measure, the rate will rise to about 22.5 cents per $100 of value, up from the current level, while approval would push it to about 24.9 cents. In other words, taxes will increase no matter the outcome, as WFAA reports. That means homeowners in financial distress must plan for a larger bill at the same time they are trying to catch up on mortgage arrears.
The compressed timeline creates several pressure points. On Oct. 1, the county calculated bills at tentative rates, so online balances before Election Day may already reflect the higher proposed rate. Voters decide the rate on Nov. 3, and only after that will the county mail final bills. Payment is due Jan. 31 in most cases. The Texas Comptroller notes that delinquent taxes incur a 6 percent penalty and 1 percent interest on Feb. 1—costs that can quickly compound for anyone unable to pay on time.
For homeowners already behind on their mortgage, the risk is not just the tax bill itself. Texas property taxes are secured by a lien on the home, and a bankruptcy filing does not remove that lien. Homeowners who pay taxes through escrow may see the increase as a higher monthly mortgage payment after the servicer's next escrow review, further straining budgets. A Chapter 13 repayment plan can spread delinquent taxes and missed mortgage payments over three to five years while the homeowner stays current on new payments, offering a structured path to catch up without losing the home.
Leinart Law Firm, a consumer bankruptcy practice with offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, is urging homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or facing foreclosure to review their options before the 2026 bills arrive. Meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer in Dallas, TX now gives homeowners time to see how a repayment plan would treat past-due property taxes. Marcus Leinart, founder of Leinart Law Firm, said, "A tax increase is seldom the only reason a homeowner falls behind, but it adds to arrears that may already be difficult to cure. We review the mortgage, tax account, and household budget together so a repayment plan accounts for all three."
The firm handles both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, along with foreclosure, repossession, wage garnishment, and credit card debt matters. Consultations can be requested online. For Dallas County homeowners, the message is clear: with bills arriving later and payment due sooner, the time to evaluate options is before the election, not after the bill lands.
