Taxes in Texas
Texas State Tax Quick Facts
- Income tax: None
- Sales tax: 6.25% (local tax: 0% - 2%)
- Property tax: 1.74% average effective rate
- Gas tax: 20 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel
The Lone Star State is one of only a few states that collect no income taxes of any kind. For that reason, it often ranks high on lists of the most tax-friendly states, but its sales and property taxes aren’t quite as kind to the average taxpayer’s wallet. In fact, the maximum sales tax rate in a county is 8.25%. The 1.74% average effective property tax rate in Texas is higher than all but five states.
A financial advisor can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you canhave a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Texas Income Taxes
Don’t mess with Texas. And once you’re there, you won't have to mess with a state income tax return, either. It is one of a handful states that do not levy taxes on income of any kind. Of course, you’ll still need to pay federal income taxes and file a federal income tax return.
Texas Sales Tax
While Texas’ statewide sales tax rate is a relatively modest 6.25%, total sales taxes (including county and city taxes) of up to 8.25% are levied. To make matters worse, rates in most major cities reach this limit. Dallas, Houston and San Antonio all have combined state and local sales tax rates of 8.25%, for example. Below are the rates for every county in Texas.
Sales Tax Rates(Updated January 2024)
County Name | State Tax | Local Tax | Max Tax Rate in County |
---|---|---|---|
Anderson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Andrews County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Angelina County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Aransas County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Archer County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Armstrong County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Atascosa County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Austin County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bailey County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bandera County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bastrop County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Baylor County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bee County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bell County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bexar County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Blanco County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Borden County | 6.250% | 1.000% | 7.250% |
Bosque County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Bowie County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Brazoria County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Brazos County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Brewster County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Briscoe County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Brooks County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Brown County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Burleson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Burnet County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Caldwell County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Calhoun County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Callahan County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Cameron County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Camp County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Carson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Cass County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Castro County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Chambers County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Cherokee County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Childress County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Clay County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Cochran County | 6.250% | 1.500% | 7.750% |
co*ke County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Coleman County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Collin County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Collingsworth County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Colorado County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Comal County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Comanche County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Concho County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Cooke County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Coryell County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Cottle County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Crane County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Crockett County | 6.250% | 0.500% | 6.750% |
Crosby County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Culberson County | 6.250% | 1.750% | 8.000% |
Dallam County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Dallas County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Dawson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
De Witt County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Deaf Smith County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Delta County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Denton County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Dickens County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Dimmit County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Donley County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Duval County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Eastland County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Ector County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Edwards County | 6.250% | 1.750% | 8.000% |
El Paso County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Ellis County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Erath County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Falls County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Fannin County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Fayette County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Fisher County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Floyd County | 6.250% | 1.750% | 8.000% |
Foard County | 6.250% | 1.750% | 8.000% |
Fort Bend County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Franklin County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Freestone County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Frio County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Gaines County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Galveston County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Garza County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Gillespie County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Glassco*ck County | 6.250% | 0.500% | 6.750% |
Goliad County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Gonzales County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Gray County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Grayson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Gregg County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Grimes County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Guadalupe County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hale County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hall County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hamilton County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hansford County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hardeman County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hardin County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Harris County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Harrison County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hartley County | 6.250% | 1.000% | 7.250% |
Haskell County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hays County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hemphill County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Henderson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hidalgo County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hill County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hockley County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hood County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hopkins County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Houston County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Howard County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hudspeth County | 6.250% | 1.000% | 7.250% |
Hunt County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Hutchinson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Irion County | 6.250% | 1.000% | 7.250% |
Jack County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jackson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jasper County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jeff Davis County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jefferson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jim Hogg County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jim Wells County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Johnson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Jones County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Karnes County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Kaufman County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Kendall County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Kenedy County | 6.250% | 0.000% | 6.250% |
Kent County | 6.250% | 1.000% | 7.250% |
Kerr County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Kimble County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
King County | 6.250% | 0.000% | 6.250% |
Kinney County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Kleberg County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Knox County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
La Salle County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lamar County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lamb County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lampasas County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lavaca County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lee County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Leon County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Liberty County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Limestone County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lipscomb County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Live Oak County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Llano County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Loving County | 6.250% | 0.000% | 6.250% |
Lubbock County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Lynn County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Madison County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Marion County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Martin County | 6.250% | 1.750% | 8.000% |
Mason County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Matagorda County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Maverick County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Mcculloch County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Mclennan County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Mcmullen County | 6.250% | 0.000% | 6.250% |
Medina County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Menard County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Midland County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Milam County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Mills County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Mitchell County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Montague County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Montgomery County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Moore County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Morris County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Motley County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Nacogdoches County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Navarro County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Newton County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Nolan County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Nueces County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Ochiltree County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Oldham County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Orange County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Palo Pinto County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Panola County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Parker County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Parmer County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Pecos County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Polk County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Potter County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Presidio County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Rains County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Randall County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Reagan County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Real County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Red River County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Reeves County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Refugio County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Roberts County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Robertson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Rockwall County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Runnels County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Rusk County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Sabine County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
San Augustine County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
San Jacinto County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
San Patricio County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
San Saba County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Schleicher County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Scurry County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Shackelford County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Shelby County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Sherman County | 6.250% | 1.500% | 7.750% |
Smith County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Somervell County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Starr County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Stephens County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Sterling County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Stonewall County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Sutton County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Swisher County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Tarrant County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Taylor County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Terrell County | 6.250% | 1.500% | 7.750% |
Terry County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Throckmorton County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Titus County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Tom Green County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Travis County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Trinity County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Tyler County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Upshur County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Upton County | 6.250% | 1.500% | 7.750% |
Uvalde County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Val Verde County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Van Zandt County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Victoria County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Walker County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Waller County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Ward County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Washington County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Webb County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Wharton County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Wheeler County | 6.250% | 1.750% | 8.000% |
Wichita County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Wilbarger County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Willacy County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Williamson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Wilson County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Winkler County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Wise County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Wood County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Yoakum County | 6.250% | 1.500% | 7.750% |
Young County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Zapata County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Zavala County | 6.250% | 2.000% | 8.250% |
Texas also charges a number of additional fees and taxes on the sales of certain goods. Notable examples include its hotel occupancy tax, which is 6% of the cost of a hotel room, and a manufactured housing tax that equals 5% of a home's sale price.
Some services are also subject to sales tax in Texas. Among the types of services for which you might have to pay sales tax are entertainment like live music or movie tickets, television service (whether cable or satellite) and any kind of automobile parking or storage services. Texas did, however, stop charging sales taxes on internet access services as of July 1, 2020.
Texas Alcohol and Tobacco Taxes
Texas taxes liquor at $2.40 per gallon. The Lone Star State also taxes a pack of 20 cigarettes totals $1.41.
Texas Property Tax
Property taxes in Texas are among the highest in the country. Effective property tax rates average 1.74%, meaning Texan households pay an average of $3,520 in property taxes each year.
Property tax rates have become a contentious issue between local governments and the state. Some state representatives want to cap rates, while cities and counties oppose that measure. That’s because, in most areas, property taxes are the primary source of local revenue.
In Dallas County, for example, the average effective rate is 1.81%. In Harris County, where Houston is located, the average effective property tax rate is 1.91%. That means thousands of dollars a year in property taxes for the typical Texas homeowner.
But high property taxes don’t necessarily mean you should be a renter for life. If you are thinking about purchasing a home in Texas, take a look at our mortgage guide for rates and other information about getting a mortgage in Texas.
Texas Gasoline Tax
The Texas excise taxes on regular and diesel gasoline total 20 cents per gallon.
Texas Estate Tax
As of Jan. 1, 2005, there is no estate tax in Texas.
Other Notable Taxes in Texas
Texas has an oyster sales fee. Shellfish dealers in Texas are required to pay a tax of $1 per 300 pounds of oysters taken from Texas waters.
- Cameron County, Texas is located at 26.15° North, and contains the most southern point along the US-Mexico border.
- Four of the 10-most populous cities in the country are in Texas. These include Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin.
- Texas is the largest oil producer in the U.S. In 2014, it produced more oil than any country in the world except Saudi Arabia.