Collin County Property Tax: Rates, Due Dates & Exemptions (2026)

For Collin County homeowners, the 2026 real-property protest deadline was May 15, 2026; the rule is May 15 or 30 days after Collin CAD mailed your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. File with the Collin Appraisal Review Board (ARB) through Collin CAD’s Online Appeals/eFile portal if your notice has an eFile PIN, or by mail, in person, or the 24/7 drop box at 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069—not by email or fax for the protest itself. Because today is after the 2026 deadline, the next standard residential deadline is expected to be May 17, 2027 unless your notice lists a later date.

How assessments work in Collin County

Collin Central Appraisal District (Collin CAD/CCAD) appraises property; it does not set tax rates or collect taxes. For the 2026 cycle, CCAD’s real-property work ran through its Computer Aided Mass Appraisal system, with real-property appraisal data finalized around March 31, notices processed April 1–15, and 2026 real-property appraisal notices mailed April 15, 2026.

The value on your notice is supposed to reflect market value as of January 1, 2026, using mass-appraisal methods. For residential property, CCAD says it considers characteristics such as use, site, zoning, improvements, location, comparable sales and listings, and generally accepted methods including cost, sales comparison, and income approaches. The two most common homeowner protest grounds are: market value is too high and unequal appraisal—meaning your home is valued higher than comparable homes after adjustments.

A homestead cap can change the math. If your residence homestead was already capped, the taxable “appraised” value generally cannot rise more than 10% over the prior year’s appraised value, plus new improvements. So a protest win may not lower the tax bill if the market value is reduced but still remains above the capped taxable value.

Whether you should appeal

Appeal if you can point to a specific problem, not just “taxes are too high.” Strong Collin County evidence usually includes: a recent closing disclosure, a fee appraisal near January 1, MLS sales similar in age/size/neighborhood, repair estimates, inspection reports, foundation/plumbing/roof photos, or incorrect CAD data such as square footage, pool, condition, or construction class.

Do not expect the ARB to lower taxes because insurance, mortgage payments, or local budgets increased. The ARB decides value, exemptions, special appraisal issues, and related appraisal-record matters; tax rates are set later by taxing units such as the county, city, school district, college district, MUD, or other districts.

Collin CAD does publish protest-volume data, but I found no official median reduction or homeowner “success rate” for 2026. The most useful local benchmark available is workload: as of an August 2025 CCAD board packet, CCAD reported 137,147 total protests for 2025, including 20,074 taxpayer protests and 117,073 agent protests, with 45,236 total hearings reported at that point. That tells you protests are common here, but it does not prove a typical reduction.

Also check exemptions before focusing only on a protest. For 2026, Texas school-district residence homestead exemptions are much larger than they were a few years ago; the Comptroller’s current exemption page says school districts must provide a $140,000 residence homestead exemption. Collin CAD’s residential exemptions include general homestead, age 65 or older, disabled person, 100% disabled veteran, surviving-spouse categories, and partial disabled-veteran exemptions. Collin County itself also has a county homestead exemption policy reflected in its budget materials; your exact exemptions vary by taxing unit.

Step-by-step how to file

1. Find your notice and eFile PIN. If your Notice of Appraised Value has an eFile PIN, use the Collin CAD Taxpayer Portal/Online Appeals eFile system. CCAD strongly encourages eFile because it starts the appraiser review faster.

2. Use the right form. The local 2026 form is “PROPERTY APPRAISAL – NOTICE OF PROTEST – Tax Year CCAD-132 [Rev 2026-v1]”. The statewide equivalent is Comptroller Form 50-132, Property Owner’s Notice of Protest. A formal form is recommended, but a written protest is generally sufficient if it identifies the owner, property, and reason for dissatisfaction.

3. Choose every protest reason that applies. For a homeowner, usually check market value and unequal appraisal if both are possible. If you forget a ground, you may limit what you can argue later.

4. File on time. For 2026 residential real property, the deadline was May 15, 2026. If your notice was mailed after April 15, use the date printed on the notice and the 30-day rule. If a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it moves to the next business day.

5. Use an accepted filing method. Collin ARB says protests are accepted by Online Appeals/eFile if eligible, mail, in person, or the 24/7 drop box. The ARB FAQ is explicit: no email or fax protests. Mail or deliver to: Collin Appraisal Review Board, 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069. In-person business hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the doors lock at 4:00 p.m. For the May 15 deadline, the drop box is emptied at midnight.

6. Fee. Collin’s protest materials do not list a filing fee for a normal Notice of Protest. If you later appeal an ARB order to district court, SOAH, or binding arbitration, fees or deposits apply.

What happens after

Filing a protest preserves your right to a formal ARB hearing, but Collin CAD usually reviews your evidence first through an informal process. Informal reviews may happen in person, in writing, or online. For real property, CCAD specifically invites closing disclosures, contracts, comparable sales, appraisals, loan documents, repair estimates, photographs, and other relevant evidence. If you and the appraiser agree, you sign a settlement/waiver and the protest closes for that year.

If not settled, the Collin Appraisal Review Board schedules the case. The ARB sends a hearing notice at least 15 days before the hearing; the appraisal district must make its evidence available before the hearing. Residential and commercial hearings typically run from mid-May to early July, and the ARB must finish most hearings and approve appraisal records by about July 20, with certification by July 25.

A standard Collin ARB hearing is usually before a three-member panel, unless a single-member panel is requested. Hearings are held at the Collin CAD office in McKinney, and Collin has run as many as 15 ARB panels concurrently. The panel hears you and the appraisal district, then issues a decision based on the evidence. The final determination/order is sent by certified mail with information about further appeal rights.

You do not have to appear in person. You may participate by sworn affidavit or written declaration, with telephone or video conference if requested. For phone/video, notify the ARB in writing no later than the 10th day before the hearing; evidence must be offered by affidavit or declaration and received before the hearing. Collin ARB requests evidence about three days before the hearing. For video hearings, Collin ARB says to use a PC/laptop/Mac; mobile phone devices are not supported, and the hearing uses audio plus screen sharing of previously submitted evidence.

Local tips

First, file the protest even if you are still gathering evidence. An informal appointment alone does not create an ARB protest. Second, do not rely on USPS drop-off timing at the last minute; the 2026 Collin protest form warns that local post offices no longer date-stamp mail the day it is dropped in the bin and that postmarks may be applied 1–2 days later at regional hubs.

Third, compare your property to homes the ARB will see as genuinely similar: same subdivision or competitive market area, similar build year, size, condition, lot influence, and sale date close to January 1. For condition arguments, bring vendor estimates or inspection reports—not just a list of complaints.

Worked savings example: Collin County’s adopted FY 2026 county tax rate is $0.149343 per $100. A $60,000 taxable-value reduction saves about $89.61 on the county portion alone: $60,000 ÷ 100 × 0.149343. But most homeowners pay multiple taxing units. Collin County’s FY 2026 budget example for a Plano homeowner used a combined rate of 1.710713 for Collin County, City of Plano, Plano ISD, and Collin College. At that combined rate, the same $60,000 reduction would save about $1,026.43 for the year—unless exemptions or the homestead cap mean the taxable value does not actually drop.

Collin County Property Tax Rate

2025 Collin County adopted property tax rate: $0.149343 per $100 of taxable value (0.149343%). For FY 2026, Collin County states that the adopted $0.149343 per $100 rate, with the 5% homestead exemption, would impose $682.10 in county property taxes on the current median homestead value of $480,773.

Source: https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/budget-and-finance/documents/fy-2026-adopted-budget-book.pdf?sfvrsn=635e8a74_3

When Are Property Taxes Due in Collin County?

Taxes are due upon receipt of the tax notice; the last day to pay without penalty and interest is January 31, and taxes become delinquent on February 1. Only taxpayers with an Over-65 or Disabled Person exemption may pay current taxes on their homestead residence in four installments without penalty or interest: 1/4 by January 31, 1/4 by March 31, 1/4 by May 31, and 1/4 by July 31; if an installment is missed, the full penalty accrues. The Tax Office also says partial payments are allowed, but any remaining amount not paid by January 31 begins to accrue penalty and interest.

This is not the same as the assessment appeal deadline above. The appeal deadline is your window to contest your assessed value; the payment due date is when the resulting tax bill must be paid. Missing one does not affect the other, but missing either has real consequences — one forfeits your right to appeal for the year, the other can trigger penalties and interest.

Source: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Tax-Assessor/faq

Property Tax Exemptions in Collin County

• Collin County residence homestead exemption — Homeowners whose principal residence is the property; Collin County’s FAQ says the residence homestead exemption is available for homeowners on their residence as long as they lived there on January 1 of the tax year.. For the Collin County taxing unit: 5% of value, with a $5,000 minimum exemption. Yes, file with the Collin Central Appraisal District; the Collin County Tax Office states there is no fee to apply. Apply by April 30. (Source: https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/tax-assessor/documents/taxratesummary.pdf?sfvrsn=a823c089_2)
• Collin County Age 65 or Older exemption — Homeowners age 65 or older on their residence; may be taken in addition to the homestead exemption.. For the Collin County taxing unit: $30,000; the county tax-rate summary also lists an optional freeze for this category. Yes, file with the Collin Central Appraisal District; the Collin County Tax Office states there is no fee to apply. Apply by April 30. (Source: https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/tax-assessor/documents/taxratesummary.pdf?sfvrsn=a823c089_2)
• Collin County Disabled Person exemption — Homeowners with a qualifying disability on their residence; may be taken in addition to the homestead exemption.. For the Collin County taxing unit: $20,000. Yes, file with the Collin Central Appraisal District; the Collin County Tax Office states there is no fee to apply. Apply by April 30. (Source: https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/tax-assessor/documents/taxratesummary.pdf?sfvrsn=a823c089_2)
• Texas school-district general residence homestead exemption — Homeowners on their primary residence; this is the state-provided school-district residence homestead exemption.. $140,000 school-district exemption on a homeowner’s primary residence, per the Texas Comptroller’s January 2026 property-tax update. Yes, file the residence homestead exemption application with the appraisal district. Apply by April 30. (Source: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/newsletter/vol35-jan26.php)
• Texas school-district Age 65 or Older or Disabled additional homestead exemption — Homeowners who qualify as age 65 or older or disabled for their residence homestead.. Additional $60,000 school-district residence homestead exemption for persons age 65 or older or disabled, per the Texas Comptroller’s January 2026 property-tax update. Yes, file the residence homestead exemption application with the appraisal district. Apply by April 30. (Source: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/newsletter/vol35-jan26.php)
• Texas disabled veteran or survivor exemption — A Texas resident veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the applicable armed-service branch; certain surviving spouses and children may also qualify. This exemption may be applied to any one property the disabled veteran owns and is not limited to a residence homestead.. Up to $5,000 for 10%–29% disability; $7,500 for 30%–49%; $10,000 for 50%–69%; $12,000 for 70%–100%. A veteran age 65 or older with at least 10% disability, totally blind in one or both eyes, or with loss of use of one or more limbs may qualify for $12,000. Yes, file the disabled veteran or survivor exemption application with the appraisal district. Apply by April 30; the Comptroller states disabled veterans and certain survivors applying under Tax Code Section 11.22 have up to five years after the delinquency date to submit the application.. (Source: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/disabledvet-faq.php/utils/lib/zlib/lib/common)

How to Look Up Your Property Record in Collin County

You can look up your property's official record at https://esearch.collincad.org/. The Collin Central Appraisal District property search is the CCAD appraisal database for property and value information; appraisal records include owner name and address, legal description, parcel identifiers, appraised land and improvement values, applicable exemptions, tax year, and related appraisal-record information.