Property Tax FAQs

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Property Ownership & Liens
- How can I determine who owns a particular property?
  You may be able to determine ownership by going to the web site of the Smith County Appraisal District or contact SCAD at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours.
- How can I obtain my legal property description?
  Visit the web site of the Smith County Appraisal District or contact SCAD at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours.
- How do I find out the value of a property?
  You may be able to determine the value by going to the web site of the Smith County Appraisal District or call SCAD at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours.
- I have recently purchased my property, why is the tax bill not in my name?
  When a deed is filed with the County Clerk of Smith County, the Smith County Appraisal District is responsible for changing the ownership. Contact the Smith County Appraisal District at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours to correct the ownership.
- If I pay taxes on a property do I obtain possession of the property?
  No, not according to Texas Property Tax Law. However, other states may have different laws on this matter.
- If we buy or sell a home in mid-year, who is responsible for the taxes?
  Refer to your closing papers or call your title company or real estate agent to determine your agreement. Normally, the taxes are prorated between the buyer and the seller. However, taxes can be paid per any agreement between the buyer and seller.
- Whom do I notify that I have paid off my mortgage?
  Your mortgage company should send you the release of lien. You must file this with the Smith County Clerk who can be contacted at (903) 590-4670.
- Why did I receive a tax bill on property I no longer own?
  The certified roll showed you as the owner when the statements were printed. Contact the Smith County Appraisal District at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours to correct the ownership.
- Why do I owe prior taxes with penalty and interest when I just purchased the property?
  Under Texas Property Tax Law, taxes follow the property. Your title company or realtor can assist you with this issue. Normally, the taxes are prorated between the buyer and seller at the time of closing. The tax office does not prorate taxes.

Statements, Billings & Payment

Where do I get exemption forms?
All exemption forms may be obtained from the Smith County Appraisal Distric t. Call Smith County Appraisal District during their normal business hours at (903) 510-8600 or visit them on line . Please note that you will have to enter a name or account number for the property before you will be able to access forms on line.
Do I qualify for any exemptions?
- Go to the State's website and see if you qualify for any of the listed exemptions.
- You may also find some good information on exemptions on the Texas Comptroller's Exemptions FAQ.
- If you find that you qualify for any exemptions contact the Smith County Appraisal District at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours to apply . Please note that you will have to enter a name or account number for the property before you will be able to access forms on line.
I never received a tax statement, what should I do?
- You may call the Smith County Tax Office during regular business hours (8:00 - 4:30) at (903) 590-2920 and request a statement be sent to you by mail or stop by the main office at 1517 West Front Street at the Cotton Belt Building.
- You can download a copy of your tax statement from the following link: Smith County Tax Records/Tax Payments OnLine
My address is not correct on my bill, how do I get it corrected?
Contact the Smith County Appraisal District at (903) 510-8600 during their normal business hours.

What are my payment options?

What forms of payment are acceptable for payment of property taxes?
The Smith County Tax Office will accept cash, personal checks, cashiers checks, credit card checks and money orders made payable to Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector. You may also pay by credit card online. You will be charged a 2.50% convenience fee if taxes are paid by credit card. Go to our side option, Pay Property Taxes, for the additional information you will need.
When does penalty and interest P&I start to accrue?
February 1
Why did my tax statement come to me instead of my mortgage company?
You should contact your mortgage company first before contacting the Smith County Tax Office. If you received a statement the certified roll the tax office received probably did not indicate you had a mortgage company or the mortgage company did not request your statement before statements were printed.

January 31	1/4 balance of current taxes
March 31	1/4 balance of current taxes
May 31	1/4 balance of current taxes
July 31	1/4 balance of current taxes

The Smith County Appraisal District (which is NOT part of Smith County government), sent out a postcard recently that has customers calling the Smith County Tax Office (which IS part of Smith County government). Here is what the postcard looks like: Proposed Property Tax Bill Information Postcard

Here are a few things Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber and his office want you to know about these postcards:

This postcard is not your 2022 Tax Statement. You should receive a bill by the middle of October or middle of November.
This is just a proposed estimate of your 2022 Tax Statement.
The postcard is designed to show everyone how the rates are proposed and adopted.
You should not be asked to pay anything to view your property records. If you are asked to pay please change your browser to Google.
The website will not have exemptions on your accounts.

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Property Tax FAQs

Property Ownership & Liens

How can I determine who owns a particular property?

How can I obtain my legal property description?

How do I find out the value of a property?

I have recently purchased my property, why is the tax bill not in my name?

If I pay taxes on a property do I obtain possession of the property?

If we buy or sell a home in mid-year, who is responsible for the taxes?

Whom do I notify that I have paid off my mortgage?

Why did I receive a tax bill on property I no longer own?

Why do I owe prior taxes with penalty and interest when I just purchased the property?

Statements, Billings & Payment

Where do I get exemption forms?

Do I qualify for any exemptions?

I never received a tax statement, what should I do?

My address is not correct on my bill, how do I get it corrected?

What are my payment options?

Over 65 and Social Security Disabled Taxpayers

Partial Payments

What forms of payment are acceptable for payment of property taxes?

When does penalty and interest P&I start to accrue?

Why did my tax statement come to me instead of my mortgage company?