Help Change the System
🚨 North Texas Tax Action Center
Budget Season Alert: Your tax bill is set by local elected officials, not the Appraisal District. With rising property values, they have more revenue than ever—we must demand they lower the tax rate to offset these increases.
July 2026: Tax Rate Tracker
Current Status: Taxing units are in the budget-drafting phase.
Timeline:
- August: Proposed Tax Rates published.
- Late Aug – Sept: Public hearings (your chance to speak).
- Sept 30: Tax rates finalized.
1. Why We Demand a Rate Reduction
Many people believe the "No-New-Revenue" (NNR) rate is the goal. It is not enough.
- The Reality: Because property values have seen enormous increases, the taxing entities are already receiving a massive windfall of extra money if they simply keep the tax rate the same.
- The Goal: We must compare this year’s proposed budget to the last few year’s. If they have more revenue than last year due to higher home values, they have the budget capacity to lower the tax rate.
- Your Argument: "I oppose the proposed tax rate. Your budget has grown significantly due to appraisal spikes; you must lower the tax rate to ensure my total tax bill does not increase."
2. The Analysis: In August view your homes portal
| County | Truth-in-Taxation Portal | Assessor Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Collin | Visit Collin Portal | Email County |
| Dallas | Visit Dallas Portal | Tax Office |
| Denton | Visit Denton Portal | Tax Office |
If your county is not above click here Texas Property Tax Transparency Portal.
Look at the No-New-Revenue (NNR) Tax Rate versus the Proposed Tax Rate.
- The NNR Rate: The tax rate that would give the taxing unit the same amount of money as last year.
- The Proposed Rate: The rate they are asking to adopt.
- While you are there use the "Public Feedback" form to submit your official feedback. It's at the end of your homes page.
- Select "No" if you oppose the proposed rate.
- In the comments, keep it professional: "I oppose the proposed tax rate because the increase exceeds the rate of inflation. Please seek further budget efficiencies before asking taxpayers to cover this increase."
3. Take Action: Make Your Voice Heard
✅ Your Advocacy Checklist
- 📢 Contact Officials: Voice your opinion on tax rates directly to your representatives.
- 📝 Fill Surveys: Complete the survey mailed with your protest results: Take the ARB Survey.
- 🗓️ Attend Meetings: Check your city's website (e.g., PlanoTV) for budget and tax rate meetings.
- 💻 Submit Feedback: Use the form on your home’s tax portal page.
- ✉️ Email Reps: Use the contact info and script provided below.
Step A: Find Your Reps
Use the official Texas lookup tool to find the email addresses for your specific City Council, School Board, and County Commissioner: (View Collin County below)
Step B: Use This Script (Copy & Paste)
Subject: Demand for Tax Rate Reduction – [Taxing Unit Name]
Dear [Official Name],
I am a resident and property owner in your district. I am writing to strongly oppose any proposed tax rate that does not account for the significant increase in property valuations this year.
Because property values have risen so sharply, simply maintaining the current tax rate results in an effective tax increase. I urge you to vote for a tax rate reduction that offsets these rising values and prevents a ballooning tax bill. Please prioritize fiscal responsibility and return the excess revenue to your constituents.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Collin County Reps
🚨 Action Alert:
Protect the 20% Commercial/Investment Cap
(Circuit Breaker)
The 20% "Circuit Breaker" cap that protects your rental properties and business buildings is currently a pilot program scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026. If this expires, there will be no limit to how much your non-homestead property values can be raised in a single year.
Don't wait until your 2027 tax bill triples. Take 2 minutes to contact your representatives today.
1. Contact Your Representatives Directly:
- State Senator Angela Paxton: Click here to Email Senator Paxton (Ph: 972-908-3424)
- State Representative Jeff Leach: Click here to Email Rep. Leach (Ph: 214-491-1537)
- Not in their district? Find Your Specific Representative Here
2. Local District Office Numbers:
- Matt Shaheen (Plano/Frisco): 469-499-9055
- Candy Noble (Allen/Lucas): 972-359-1114
- Mihaela Plesa (Plano): 972-424-2226
3. Use This Script (Copy & Paste):
"As a constituent and property owner in North Texas, I am writing to urge you to support making the 20% appraisal cap for non-homestead properties permanent. Small business owners and investors rely on this 'circuit breaker' to stay in business. Please do not let this vital protection expire in 2026."
From our workshop how to find your homes tax transparency portal.
Taxes are calculated by taking the Taxable Value, dividing by 100, and multiplying the result by the tax rate. Tax Amount = Taxable Value/100*Tax Rate
View every years tax rates click here
Link to Collin County Public Notices click here
Valuing the relationship over the transaction.
Alicia Duffy | Team Duffy | Texas Urban Living
