Your 2026 Texas property tax bill is arriving — and the school-district homestead exemption is now $140,000 (Proposition 13), with another $60,000 for homeowners 65+ or disabled (Proposition 11, $200,000 total). But none of that relief applies unless the exemption is on file. Issac Harper — Texas broker and property-tax arbitrator — and Chloe Brooks walk through the 5 checks to run before you pay: homestead on file, 65+/disabled/veteran exemptions, escrow vs. paying yourself (and the escrow-shortage payment bump), the appraised value behind the bill, and your real payment options — early discounts, senior installments, and why January 31, 2027 (a Sunday) makes February 1 timely under Tax Code §1.06.In this episode:- The 3 facts first: bills due on receipt, last penalty-free day Jan 31, Dallas County bills held until after the Nov 3 rate election- TEACH: How a Texas tax bill is built — appraised value minus exemptions, times local rates- Check 1: Is your $140,000 homestead exemption (Prop 13) actually on file? How to file free (Form 50-114)- Worked example: a $400,000 Texas home — $4,000 vs $2,600 vs $2,000 school tax- Check 2: 65+/disabled +$60,000 (Prop 11), the school tax ceiling, veteran and surviving-spouse exemptions- Check 3: Escrow or you? Reading the escrow analysis and budgeting the shortage bump- Check 4: The appraised value — fix factual errors now, calendar your protest for next May- Check 5: Payment options — early-payment discounts (up to 3%/2%/1%), partial and split payments, 4-installment plan for 65+/disabled, and the penalty ladder (6% + 1%/month)https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3H9FvDGOjFlicWiD3vZLZgPlaylist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR9q3rB6m7sASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AFpa5EVdpWh0UplBhXrL4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-market-update/id6820718692iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/347247850/Co-hosted by Issac Harper & Chloe BrooksQuestions about buying, selling, or your Texas home? Call 512-203-2245 · issac.harper@ireaf.com · Real Estate Broker/Realtor | TREC Lic. #0437275 | Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS #2580938This episode is education, not personal tax or financial advice. Example rates and bills are illustrations, not quotes — check your own county appraisal district and tax office for your numbers.