Texas’ property tax is big and fast-growing. In 2016, more than 5,100 local tax jurisdictions levied more than $56 billion in property taxes, making it the single largest tax imposed in the Lone Star State. Of the total levy, school district taxes accounted for the bulk of the burden at $29.9 billion followed by cities ($9.2 billion), counties ($9 billion), and special districts ($8 billion). On a per capita basis, Texas’ property tax is large enough to collect more than $2,000 from every man, woman, and child in the state or more than $8,000 from a family of four.
Eliminating the School M&O Property Tax
Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the nation. In 2014, the Tax Foundation reported that Texas had the sixth highest effective property tax rate. In 2016, more than 5,100 local tax jurisdictions levied $56.1 billion in property taxes, or $2,000 on average for every Texan—man, woman, and child. And property taxes continue...