This guide helps you check, pay, and manage Property Tax in Ellis County, Texas through the Ellis County Tax Office and related county offices. It covers the main online search, payment choices, important deadlines, and where to go for value or protest questions.
Our site is independent and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice or guarantees. Use official county resources for current account details, billing, payments, and filing decisions.
Ellis County Tax Office property search
Start with the official Ellis County Tax Office property search. This is the main place to look up accounts collected by the Tax Office and review the record before you choose a payment route.
Have one of these details ready:
- Owner name, usually entered with the last name first
- Property address, without words like street, lane, or boulevard
- Tax Office account number
- CAD Reference Number
- Owner ID
You can add a second search term to narrow the results by name or address.
- Search by owner name, property address, account number, CAD Reference Number, or Owner ID.
- Open the matching account collected by the Ellis County Tax Office.
- Review the balance and follow the payment instructions shown on that account, or switch to an in-person or mail payment if you need more control over how the payment is applied.
Tip: If you want a payment applied to a specific tax year, use mail or an office counter and note the year on your check.
Payment options for property tax
The Tax Office offers several payment paths for current and delinquent property taxes.
| Option | Who it fits | Key timing |
|---|---|---|
| One-time payment | Any taxpayer and any tax account | Pay in one payment by January 31 to avoid penalty and interest |
| Partial payment | Any taxpayer and any tax account | You can make multiple payments after statements are sent in October, but normal penalty and interest rules still apply |
| Quarter payment plan | Qualified residential homestead owners with Over 65, Disabled Person, or Disabled Veteran exemptions | At least one-fourth is due by January 31, and a formal agreement must be filed each tax year |
| Residential Homestead Agreement | Eligible residence homestead owners with a homestead exemption who meet the Tax Office agreement rules | Used for delinquent taxes over 12 to 36 months, with monthly 1 percent interest |
For current taxes, statements are sent each October and the last day to pay without penalty and interest is January 31. For delinquent taxes, contact the Tax Office to ask whether you qualify for a Residential Payment Agreement.
Key property tax deadlines
These dates shape when bills go out, when charges begin, and when special payment plans are due.
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| October 1 | The current collection period begins, and tax bills are mailed on October 1 or as soon as possible after that date |
| January 31 | Last day to pay before delinquency, and first quarter-plan payment is due for eligible Over-65 and disability homestead accounts |
| February 1 | Penalty and interest begin on unpaid taxes |
| March 31 | Second quarter-plan payment due for eligible Over-65 and disability homestead accounts |
| May 31 | Third quarter-plan payment due for eligible Over-65 and disability homestead accounts |
| July 1 | Current-year delinquent accounts are turned over to tax attorneys for collection, with a collection penalty of up to 20 percent of the unpaid balance |
| July 31 | Final quarter-plan payment due for eligible Over-65 and disability homestead accounts |
Appraised value, exemptions, and protests
The Ellis County Tax Office handles current and delinquent tax collection, but the Ellis Appraisal District handles value questions, exemption filings, protests, ownership corrections, and mailing address updates.
You can use the Ellis Appraisal District Property Search to review value-related information. If you need to challenge a value, the district also provides a way to file your protest online.
- File exemption applications with the Ellis Appraisal District by April 30.
- File a current-year protest with the Ellis Appraisal District by May 15.
- Contact the Appraisal District for owner name, mailing address, or value issues rather than the Tax Office.
In-person payments and special requests
Ellis County also offers office counter service for tasks that are easier to handle in person or by mail.
- You can pay property taxes in person at the Waxahachie, Red Oak, Midlothian, or Ennis tax offices.
- Tax certificates are sold only at the Waxahachie Tax Office, and the fee is $10 for each certificate.
- The delinquent tax roll is available for a $40.00 fee through the main office in Waxahachie or by mail, and credit or debit cards are not accepted for that request.
If you mail a payment, include a copy of your statement and write the Property ID and your phone number on the check. Use the mailing address in the contact section for mail sent to the main Ellis County Tax Office.
Property tax offices and contacts
Use these offices for payments, account help, value questions, and protest-related follow-up.
-
Ellis County Tax Office — 302 N Monroe Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5150
Fax: (972) 825-5151
Email: taxoffice@elliscountytx.gov
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mailing address: P.O. Drawer 188, Waxahachie, TX 75168 -
Red Oak Tax Office — 101 Live Oak St., Red Oak, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 825-5640
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. -
Ennis Tax Office — 207 South Sonoma Trail, Ennis, TX 75119
Phone: (972) 825-5390
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. -
Midlothian Tax Office — 661 Aspen Pkwy, Suite 100, Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (972) 825-5600
Fax: (972) 775-8415
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. -
Ellis Appraisal District — 400 Ferris Avenue, Waxahachie, Texas 75165
Phone: (972) 937-3552
Fax: (972) 937-1618
Email: ecad@elliscad.com
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Common questions
Where do I look up my Ellis County property tax account?
Use the Ellis County Tax Office online property search to find accounts collected by that office. Search by owner name, address, account number, CAD Reference Number, or Owner ID. If you need a narrower result, add a second search term by name or address.
What should I do if I want to pay a specific tax year first?
The online route does not let you choose the tax year for payment. To direct money to a specific year, pay by mail or in person and clearly note the tax year on your check. Include your Property ID and phone number with the payment.
Who handles value questions, protests, or address changes?
The Ellis Appraisal District handles appraised value issues, exemption filings, protests, ownership questions, and mailing address updates. Use the district for those tasks instead of the Tax Office. If you are disputing value, start with the district’s value records and file the protest there.
When do penalties and interest start on unpaid property taxes?
Taxes must be paid by January 31 to avoid delinquency. Penalty and interest begin on February 1. If the account remains delinquent, current-year delinquent accounts are turned over to tax attorneys on July 1 and may incur a collection penalty of up to 20 percent.
Can I get a tax certificate or delinquent tax roll from the Tax Office?
Yes, but these are handled as separate requests. Tax certificates are sold only at the Waxahachie Tax Office for $10 each. The delinquent tax roll costs $40.00 and must be requested through the main office in Waxahachie or by mail, and credit or debit cards are not accepted for that request.