This guide helps you handle Property Tax in Hays County, Texas, from looking up an account to checking payment options and due dates. It focuses on the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector and Orion Public Access so you can use the main official channels for search and payment.
This site is independent and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice or guarantees. For account details, deadlines, and payments, use the official county offices and online tools.
Search and pay property tax
The main online tool is Orion Public Access. You can use it to search a property account, review tax details, and move into the county’s payment workflow.
- Open search and pay property taxes online.
- Search by a property identifier such as owner name, property number, situs address, QuickRefID, legal description, or tax year.
- Use the Advanced Search option if you need to narrow results by property type, city, zip code, neighborhood, owner information, or legal description details.
- Review the account carefully, then continue to payment if you are ready to pay online.
Important: ACH payments may be intermittently unavailable. The Tax Office states that credit card, in-person payment, and office drop boxes remain available.
Ways to pay and deadline rules
Hays County accepts property tax payments online, by phone, by mail, in person, and through drop boxes at Tax Office locations. Online and phone payments carry a 2.35% convenience fee for card payments and a $0.50 fee for e-check payments.
For 2025 property taxes, payment must be made or postmarked by Monday, February 2, 2026, to avoid penalty and interest. The county states that the U.S. Postal Service postmark, not a meter date, is used as the payment date for credit.
The payment timeline below summarizes the county’s published penalty and interest schedule for unpaid 2025 taxes.
| When payment is late | Penalty and interest |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | 7% total |
| March 2026 | 9% total |
| April 2026 | 11% total |
| May 2026 | 13% total |
| June 2026 | 15% total |
| July 2026 | 18% total |
Taxes that stay delinquent into July may also incur an additional penalty of up to 15% to help cover collection costs.
Installment plan and tax timing
Some homeowners may qualify for a quarterly payment installment plan under Section 31.031 of the Texas Property Tax Code. The county lists this option for disabled individuals, disabled veterans, surviving spouses of disabled veterans, and people age 65 or older who qualify for a homestead exemption.
Late installment payments still accrue penalty and interest. If you think you qualify, contact the Tax Office before missing the first deadline.
The county’s published installment schedule is shown below.
| Installment | Due date |
|---|---|
| First installment | January 31 |
| Second installment | March 31 |
| Third installment | May 31 |
| Fourth and final installment | July 31 |
Note: The Tax Office says it does not have authority to extend the payment period beyond January 31 or waive penalties and interest on unpaid taxes.
Values, rates, and tax estimates
The Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector collects property tax, but property values and exemptions are handled by the Hays Central Appraisal District. Tax rates are set by the governing bodies of the taxing jurisdictions that apply to the property.
If you need a rough estimate, Orion Public Access includes a Tax Estimator. The county says it is only a basic estimate and that some accounts are too complex for a precise estimate.
You can also review adopted tax rates and related tax information through the county’s Truth in Taxation resources and Hays CAD pages.
Hays CAD and tax office roles
Use the Tax Office for tax bills and payments. Use Hays CAD for property values, exemptions, ownership or address changes, notices of appraised value, and protest-related matters.
Hays CAD also notes that Notices of Appraised Value for most property owners were mailed on April 1 and that the protest deadline is May 15 unless the notice was mailed after April 15. It states that property owners can use its online tools for property search, forms, and protest information.
If you are comparing estimated taxes or checking hearing information, the county notes that tax rate hearings are typically held in August and September.
Property tax contacts
These public-facing contacts are the main next step for payment questions, account help, exemptions, and appraisal issues.
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Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector — 712 S Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 1120, San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone: (512) 393-5545
Fax: (512) 393-5547
Email: propertytax@co.hays.tx.us
Hours: 8:00-4:30 M-F Excluding County Approved Holidays -
Dripping Springs Substation — 195 Roger Hanks Parkway, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
Phone: (512) 858-5105
Fax: (512) 858-9245
Hours: 8:00-4:30 M-F Excluding County Approved Holidays -
Kyle Substation — 5458 FM 2770, Kyle, Texas 78640
Phone: (512) 268-8024
Fax: (512) 268-2729
Hours: 8:00-4:30 M-F Excluding County Approved Holidays -
Wimberley Substation — 200 Stillwater, Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: (512) 878-6705
Fax: 512-842-1440
Hours: 8:00-4:30 M-F Excluding County Approved Holidays -
Hays Central Appraisal District — 21001 North IH 35, Kyle, Texas 78640
Phone: (512) 268-2522
Email: info@hayscad.com
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Common questions
How do I look up my Hays County property tax account?
Start with Orion Public Access and search by owner name, property number, situs address, QuickRefID, legal description, or tax year. If the first search is too broad, use the Advanced Search fields to narrow the results. Once you find the account, review the details before making a payment.
What is the deadline to pay 2025 Hays County property taxes without penalty?
The county says 2025 property taxes must be paid in full or postmarked by Monday, February 2, 2026, to avoid penalty and interest. Payments after that date are treated as delinquent. If you are mailing a payment, the U.S. Postal Service postmark is the date used for credit.
Can I pay Hays County property taxes without going to the office?
Yes. The county lists online payment, phone payment, mail, and office drop boxes as available options. Online and phone payments include a 2.35% fee for card payments and a $0.50 fee for e-check payments.
Who handles property values, exemptions, and protest questions?
Those issues go through the Hays Central Appraisal District, not the Tax Office. Hays CAD handles appraised values, exemptions, ownership and address changes, and protest-related matters. Use the Tax Office instead for bills and payments.
What should I do if I think I qualify for quarterly property tax payments?
The county lists a quarterly installment option for certain disabled individuals, disabled veterans, surviving spouses of disabled veterans, and people age 65 or older who qualify for a homestead exemption. Contact the Tax Office before a payment is missed so you can confirm whether the plan applies to your account. Late installment payments still accrue penalty and interest.