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Need to pay your property taxes? Here’s how to navigate the system. [1]

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Date: 2025-01-12

The deadline to pay property tax bills is fast approaching, and waiting until the last minute is not advised, the city tax assessor collector said.

Homeowners receive their property tax bills in October when they are due, but the deadline to pay that bill without accruing penalties is Jan. 31. Penalties are assessed beginning Feb. 1.

“Come see us now because the last week in January, we have Disneyland lines. Our lobby is full … the first floor is full. There have been years that we even have people lined up around Kansas (Street) toward Texas (Avenue),” city Tax Assessor Collector Maria Pasillas said.

The city handles about 440,000 taxpayer accounts – about 140,000 of them homeowners with a mortgage. Last October, the tax office billed about $1.6 billion in property taxes for several entities, including the city, county, hospital district, community college, school districts and more.

Property taxes are based on three key factors. Those are the value of the property set by the El Paso Central Appraisal District, the exemptions – if any – have been claimed and the tax rates adopted by the various taxing entities.

Read more about how property taxes are calculated

Pasillas said all avenues to pay property tax bills are saturated the last week of January, whether paying by phone or in person. Mistakes with account numbers being entered incorrectly may be made online by taxpayers, which could mean the payment is not received by Jan. 31. Those paying by mail should also ensure the envelope is postmarked by Jan. 31 to ensure the payment is processed accurately, she said.

The best way to avoid mistakes and penalties is to make the payment as soon as possible.

“I have a wonderful team, and we have timed those lines, and it can be up to 45 minutes,” Pasillas said of paying in person. “We understand everybody’s time is valuable, so, the sooner you pay you’re going to avoid those long lines.”

Here are some key tips to pay your property tax bill and how to avoid possible pitfalls.

What if I can’t pay my full tax bill by the deadline?

Pasillas said the best approach is to contact the tax office immediately and set up an appointment to discuss payment arrangement options. She said those facing financial hardships may be able to make arrangements to pay between 12 and 36 months.

What if I am offered a payment plan from an outside lender?

Pasillas said she does not recommend accepting a payment plan from an outside lender. Lenders often submit open records requests for properties that have liens then approach homeowners for loans to pay off their property tax bills, she said.

Those lenders generally have higher interest rates than what the city imposes and are not as flexible as the city with payment arrangements. The lenders will also then have the lien on the property which – in a worst-case scenario – means the lender can foreclose on the home if the bill isn’t paid on time, Pasillas warned.

What if I forgot to apply for my homestead exemption?

Pasillas said even if the homeowner did not apply for the homestead exemption or other exemptions such as the age 65 and older, or disabled veteran exemptions by the time they got their bills in October, they can still apply and the discount will be applied for at least two previous years. She said the city may issue a refund if the tax bill was already paid for the previous years.

Homestead exemption applications can be filled out with the El Paso Central Appraisal District, 5801 Trowbridge Drive.

What if my mortgage is paid off, but I am under the age of 65 and don’t qualify for an installment plan?

Homeowners who are still paying off a mortgage have payments made toward their tax bill throughout the year. Those aged 65 and older can qualify for installment payments. Pasillas said anyone who has paid off their mortgage can enroll in an escrow account with the tax office to make payments throughout the year ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline. Any amount that had not yet been paid off will then be due by Jan. 31

Can I mail my property tax payment?

Yes, the payments can be sent in the mail, but Pasillas advised that the envelope be postmarked or sent by certified mail by no later than the Jan. 31 deadline to avoid any penalties.

Checks, cashiers checks or money orders can be mailed in the envelope that was provided with the tax bill made payable to the City of El Paso Tax Office; P.O. Box 2992; El Paso, TX 79999-2992.

Where can I pay my property tax bill in person?

There are several options to pay your bill in person, though some locations have varying hours. Pasillas said wait times can be long during the last week of January. Having the current tax bill at county locations is required.

In-person payment locations:

Consolidated Tax Office,221 N. Kansas St., Suite 300, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Personal and cashiers checks, money orders, cash and debit or credit cards are accepted.

County Tax Offices

Locations will accept current year tax payments in money orders, cash or personal or cashiers checks with the current tax bill documentation. Offices may cutt off the line to new customers on high-volume days.

Locations open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday:

Ascarate Annex, 301 Manny Martinez Drive; 915-771-2300

Ysleta Annex at 9521 Socorro Road, Suite B4; 915-860-2563

Northeast Annex at 4641 Cohen Ave. Suite B; 915-751-1229

Eastside Annex, 2350 George Dieter Drive, Suite B, Room 211; 915-538-1662

Locations open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.):

Westside Tax Office, 424 Executive Center Blvd., Suite 102; 915-886-1085

Northwest Annex, 435 E. Vinton Road, Suite B; 915-886-1092

Locations open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

El Paso Central Appraisal District Mobile Bank, 5801 Trowbridge Drive, from Jan. 27 to 31.

Fort Bliss Soldier Support Center, Pershing Road, Building 505 Room A115.; 915-562-6602

Can I pay my tax bill online?

Yes, property tax bills can be paid online on the city’s website with credit or debit cards or by E-check with a checking account and routing number. Savings accounts cannot be used.

Property owners must search for their account and make sure it is accurate, then proceed to the “property tax balance” and follow the steps to submit the payment.

Pasillas recommends entering the routing and account numbers for the checking account carefully to avoid mistakes and ensuring the payment is processed correctly by Jan. 31.

Can I pay my bill by phone?

Yes, call 915-212-0106 to pay over the phone.

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[1] Url: https://elpasomatters.org/2025/01/12/el-paso-property-tax-bills-due-deadline-how-to-pay-taxes/

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