Dallas County homeowners already struggling with mortgage payments or facing foreclosure will have less time to prepare for their 2026 property tax bills because the county will not mail those bills until after the Nov. 3 election, when voters decide whether to approve a higher tax rate. The delay compresses the period between receiving a bill and the Jan. 31 payment deadline, leaving financially distressed homeowners with fewer weeks to arrange funds. According to WFAA reports, the election will determine whether the county adopts a higher rate, but taxes will increase regardless of the outcome.
For a median homestead, the county portion of the bill would be $666.52 at the higher rate, up from $558.97 last year, according to Dallas County figures. The rate rises to about 22.5 cents per $100 of value even if voters reject the measure and would reach about 24.9 cents with approval. That means homeowners behind on their mortgages could see their escrow payments rise after the servicer's next review, further straining household budgets.
Texas property taxes are secured by a lien on the home, and a bankruptcy filing does not remove that lien. Homeowners who are already delinquent on their mortgages may find that past-due property taxes compound their arrears. 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. This option may help homeowners avoid foreclosure by giving them a structured way to catch up.
The timing of the election adds urgency. On Oct. 1, the county calculated bills at tentative rates, so online balances before Election Day may reflect the higher proposed rate. After the election, the county mails final bills, and payment is due in most cases by Jan. 31. The Texas Comptroller notes that delinquent taxes incur a 6 percent penalty and 1 percent interest on Feb. 1. For homeowners already behind, that penalty can deepen financial distress and make it harder to keep their homes.
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 and debt matters, and consultations can be requested online.
With the election less than a month away, homeowners should assess their options promptly. The combination of delayed bills, higher taxes, and existing mortgage arrears creates a narrow window to act before penalties and foreclosure risks escalate.
