How delinquent taxes grow in Dallas County
Your property is appraised by the Dallas Central Appraisal District, and taxes are collected by the Dallas County Tax Office. Bills generally must be paid by January 31.
- February 1: the bill becomes delinquent, and penalties and interest start.
- Each month after: penalties and interest keep adding up.
- July 1: an additional collection fee of up to 20% is often added.
- After that: the taxing units can file a lawsuit to foreclose on the property.
What a tax foreclosure means
A tax foreclosure in Dallas County goes through the courts. If the court rules against the owner, the property can be sold at a tax sale. Owners of a residence homestead generally have two years to redeem it after the sale, but redeeming costs more than the original taxes.
Selling before it gets that far protects the equity you have built up.
How selling with back taxes works
You do not need to pay the taxes before you sell. At closing, the title company gets payoff figures from the Dallas County Tax Office and pays them from the sale. Any mortgage is paid off the same way, and the rest goes to you.
If you are 65 or older or disabled and live in the home, ask the Dallas County Tax Office about a tax deferral first. A deferral or payment plan may let you keep the property, and we would rather you know about it.
How Hidden Leaf Holdings can help in Dallas
We are a local buyer, not a call center. Depending on your equity and timeline, we can offer a fast cash offer, a mortgage buyout, or owner financing. We buy as-is in Dallas and nearby towns like Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett.
This page is general information about Texas law and is not legal advice. Deadlines and procedures can change, so confirm details with the Dallas County offices or an attorney.