New Braunfels Property Tax: Rates, Exemptions & 2026 Deadline

New Braunfels Property Tax rates for 2026 rose to 30.5 cents per $100 valuation after the Comal County commissioners approved the budget, affecting both residential and commercial owners. The Comal County tax rates combine city, school district tax rates, and municipal tax levy to determine the total bill. Homeowners should check the New Braunfels tax appraisal district portal for their assessment value and eligibility for property tax exemptions Texas offers, such as the homestead exemption New Braunfels and senior citizen deferral. The tax collector office New Braunfels accepts payment online, by phone, or mailed to the Frost Bank lockbox, and the deadline for the Texas property tax deadline 2026 is January 31, with a grace period to February 2.

New Braunfels Property Tax delinquency triggers a notice of delinquency, possible lien sale, and limited property tax refund eligibility if overpayment is proven. Property owners can appeal property tax assessment through the Comal County Tax Assessor‑Collector using Form 50‑132 before the protest deadline, typically 30 days after the notice. For those facing financial strain, Texas property tax relief programs and property tax deferral for senior citizens offer additional support. Accurate record searches at the Comal County clerk and real estate tax calculator Texas tools help clarify the impact of recent census data and new construction prorated taxes.

Search New Braunfels City Property Tax

Property tax records for parcels inside the New Braunfels city limits sit with the Comal County Tax Assessor-Collector, the office that bills, collects, and publishes public account data for every taxing unit overlapping the city. The official entry point for searching an account, viewing the certified assessment value, checking exemption status, and locating the parcel ID is the Comal County government website at https://www.comalcounty.gov, while the Tax Assessor-Collector’s own portal is available at www.co.comal.tx.us. The same office supplies a secure online payment channel at property.co.comal.tx.us, printable tax statements, and downloadable forms used for protests, refunds, and address changes.

1. Open https://www.comalcounty.gov and click the Property Tax & Motor Vehicle quick link in the main navigation bar.
2. Choose the property search tool, then enter the parcel ID, street address, or owner name into the lookup field.
3. Review the account summary, including market value, assessed value, exemption status, and the combined rate shown for the parcel.
4. Download the tax statement or click through to the payment portal to settle the balance by the January 31 deadline.

Comal County Tax Rates and Recent Budget Decisions

The Comal County Commissioners Court sets the county portion of the property tax rate each September after public hearings on the proposed budget. For tax year 2026, the court approved an amended budget of roughly $181 million and a county tax rate of 30.5 cents per $100 of valuation, up from 26.4 cents in tax year 2026. The four-cent increase funds pay-scale adjustments, road and bridge work, and law enforcement staffing, so every parcel inside New Braunfels sees a higher county line item on the 2026 statement.

• County general fund receives the largest share of the rate increase for public safety and personnel costs.
• Road and bridge fund receives a dedicated allocation of roughly $21 million in the amended budget.
• New Braunfels residents pay the county rate plus city, school district, and any special district rates on the same statement.

Components of the Total Tax Bill in New Braunfels

A property tax bill in New Braunfels combines rates adopted by multiple taxing units, each setting its own rate after separate public hearings. The Texas Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division tracks every rate adopted in the county and publishes the combined total for each parcel. The biggest line items on a typical New Braunfels statement are the county rate, the city of New Braunfels rate, the Comal Independent School District rate, and any water, emergency services, or college district rates that overlap the parcel.

• Every unit sets its own rate through a public hearing process, and the Comptroller certifies the totals each year.
• The effective tax rate, the rollback rate, and the adopted rate appear on the unit’s Truth in Taxation notice before adoption.
• Refer to the Texas Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division for the current combined rate totals in Comal County.

Assessment Value in New Braunfels

The Comal Appraisal District sets the assessed value for every property in the county, including parcels inside the New Braunfels city limits, and mails the Notice of Appraised Value between April and May each year. The 2026 certified values reflect sharp growth in land prices across Comal County, with many neighborhoods seeing double-digit increases from 2026. Property owners should review the notice carefully, check the comps used by the appraiser, and confirm the exemption status before the protest deadline.

• Median home values in Comal County run between roughly $402,000 and $438,000, based on 2026–2026 market reports.
• Land values for raw tracts have risen sharply, pushing many unimproved parcels into higher valuation tiers.
• Improvements such as new construction are added to the roll on January 1 of the tax year they are substantially complete.
• Property owners can pull the property record card from the appraisal district to see the comps, building details, and land breakdown.

Property Tax Exemptions Texas Offers Homeowners

Texas law provides a long list of property tax exemptions, and Comal County homeowners who claim every exemption they qualify for can lower their bill by hundreds or thousands of dollars each year. The standard homestead exemption, the additional school district exemption, the over-65 exemption, the disabled person exemption, and the veteran exemption are the most common filings at the Comal Appraisal District. Each exemption carries its own form, deadline, and documentation requirement, and a missing signature or proof of age can cost a full year of savings.

• Most exemption applications are filed with the Comal Appraisal District, not with the tax collector.
• Homestead applications filed between January 1 and April 30 are processed before the fall tax bills are sent.
• Disabled veterans with a 100% rating may qualify for a total exemption from school district property taxes on the primary homestead.

Homestead Exemption New Braunfels Filing Steps

New Braunfels homeowners can file the homestead exemption with the Comal Appraisal District once the property becomes their primary residence. The application requires a Texas driver license or state ID showing the property address, and the homeowner must not claim a homestead on any other property in any state. Filing between January 1 and April 30 ensures the exemption is in place for the upcoming fall tax bills.

1. Confirm the home is your principal residence on January 1 of the tax year and that your Texas driver license lists the home address.
2. Download the homestead exemption application form from the Comal Appraisal District website.
3. Complete the form, sign it, and attach a copy of the driver license or state ID showing the property address.
4. Submit the form to the Comal Appraisal District by mail, in person, or through the online Taxpayer Portal before April 30.

Over-65 Exemption and School District Tax Ceiling

Homeowners age 65 or older qualify for an additional homestead exemption off the school district value, plus a school tax ceiling that freezes the school portion of the bill at the amount paid in the year the homeowner turned 65. The ceiling protects against future school rate increases, but it does not freeze the city, county, or special district portions of the bill. Once the ceiling is in place, the school district line on the statement stays flat even when the school district adopts a higher rate.

• File the homestead exemption application with the Over-65 box checked and a copy of a photo ID showing the date of birth.
• The school tax ceiling survives a transfer to a new homestead in Texas under the rules set by the state legislature; check current rules with the Comal Appraisal District before moving.
• Surviving spouses of homeowners who had the Over-65 exemption can keep the ceiling for the rest of their lives in most cases.

Disabled Person Exemption in Comal County

Homeowners with a qualifying disability can claim the disabled person exemption, which mirrors the Over-65 school tax ceiling and adds an additional amount to the homestead exemption. The Comal Appraisal District accepts disability ratings from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Disability Insurance, or a similar certifying agency. A separate filing is needed for the disabled veteran exemption, which can reach a 100% reduction of the school portion of the bill.

• Provide a current disability award letter from the certifying agency along with the homestead exemption application.
• Disability ratings below 100% may qualify for a partial school tax exemption based on the percentage of disability.
• Re-certification is not required every year once the exemption is in place, but the appraisal district may ask for proof on audit.

Veteran and Military Exemptions

Texas offers several exemptions tied to military service, including the disabled veteran exemption, the surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces exemption, and other partial exemptions for donated property. A veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating can claim a full exemption from school district property taxes on the primary homestead. The surviving spouse of a service member killed in action or a first responder killed in the line of duty can claim a 100% school value exemption without an age limit.

• File the disabled veteran exemption using the VA award letter and the homestead exemption application with the veteran box checked.
• Surviving spouses file a separate form and supply a death certificate and line-of-duty determination.
• Partial disability ratings translate into a proportional school tax exemption, scaled to the percentage of the rating.

Commercial Property Tax New Braunfels

Commercial properties in New Braunfels follow the same appraisal and protest process as residential parcels, but the exemption list is shorter and the values move with the income approach, market approach, and cost approach used by the Comal Appraisal District. Office buildings, retail centers, restaurants, hotels, and industrial sites in the city see their income, expenses, and capitalization rates reviewed each year. Business owners can file a rendition through the Taxpayer Portal to report personal property, fixtures, and inventory to the appraisal district.

• File a Business Personal Property rendition with the Comal Appraisal District through the Taxpayer Portal to avoid late-filing penalties.
• Use income, expense, and rent comps from comparable properties to support a commercial protest on the Notice of Appraised Value.
• Consult the Comal Appraisal District for information on local-option exemptions and incentives that may be available to commercial owners.

Texas Property Tax Deadline and Grace Period

Property taxes in Comal County are due January 31 each year, and when that date falls on a weekend the office accepts payments through the next business day without penalty. For tax year 2026, the Comal County Tax Office accepted payments through February 2, 2026, because January 31 fell on a Saturday. Payments received after the grace date begin accruing interest and penalty under the Texas Property Tax Code, and the late charges stack on top of the original bill.

• Mark your calendar for January 31 as the statutory due date, and check the Comal County Tax Office for the current grace period every year.
• Partial payments are accepted, but the unpaid balance still accrues penalty and interest on the standard schedule.
• Refer to the Texas Property Tax Code for the current penalty and interest rates that apply to late property tax payments in Comal County.

Property Tax Bill Payment Options in Comal County

The Comal County Tax Office accepts property tax payments by mail, online, by phone, and in person at the main office, the Sattler office, and the Bulverde office. Online payments through the property tax portal at property.co.comal.tx.us accept e-check and major credit cards, with card payments subject to a processing fee charged by the card processor. Phone payments are handled by the same processor and follow the same fee schedule, and mailed payments are sent to the Frost Bank lockbox for faster posting.

• The Frost Bank lockbox address for mailed payments is P.O. Box 659480, San Antonio, TX 78265.
• Include the statement or parcel ID number on every check to make sure the payment is posted to the right account.
• Extended hours on January 30 and the next business day in February help cut the line at the New Braunfels office.

Online Search and Portal Tools for Comal County Records

Comal County operates an online records portal that lets residents pull up property tax history, exemption status, payment records, and current balances from any device. The Comal Appraisal District runs a separate Taxpayer Portal at https://portal.comalad.org where property owners can register to access property details, file renditions, opt into electronic communication, and manage exemption applications. Both portals run on standard browsers, and most records are available the same day they are posted.

• Search by owner name, parcel ID, or address in the tax portal to see the tax history and exemptions on the account.
• Pull deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases from the county records system to verify ownership before paying a tax bill on a new purchase.
• Subscribe to electronic communication through the Taxpayer Portal to receive tax statements and exemption decisions by email.

How to Appeal Property Tax Assessment in Comal County

Property owners who disagree with the Comal Appraisal District’s value can file a protest, and most protests settle before they ever reach a formal hearing. The protest window opens when the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed in April or May, and it closes on May 15 or 30 days after the notice date, whichever is later. Filing early, building a comp set, and presenting the data clearly through the online portal gives most owners the best shot at a reduction.

1. Review the Notice of Appraised Value and pull the property record card from the Comal Appraisal District website.
2. Gather at least three recent sales comps from the same neighborhood, with sale price, square footage, and closing date.
3. File Form 50-132, Notice of Protest, with the Comal Appraisal District by the protest deadline, online or by mail.
4. Attend the informal hearing, share your comp set, and ask for a reduced value based on the market data.
5. If the informal offer is too high, request a formal hearing before the Comal County Appraisal Review Board.

Form 50-132 Notice of Protest Details

Form 50-132 is the Texas Comptroller’s standard Notice of Protest, and every property tax protest in Comal County starts with this single-page form. The form asks for the parcel ID, the property address, the owner name, the taxing units, the reason for the protest, and the requested value. A clean, complete form with the correct parcel ID and a specific reason for the protest is much more likely to produce a useful settlement than a vague filing.

• Select the protest reason from the checklist, such as unequal appraisal, market value, or both.
• List the requested value at the bottom of the form, with a number tied to your comp set rather than a round guess.
• File the form online through the Comal Appraisal District portal, by mail, or in person at the appraisal district office at 900 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130.

Property Tax Delinquency Process in Comal County

Once a property tax bill goes unpaid past the grace period, the account moves into delinquent status and begins accruing penalty and interest under the Texas Property Tax Code. The Comal County Tax Office sends a Notice of Delinquency by certified mail once the bill reaches a year past due, and the notice gives the owner a window to cure the default. If the bill stays unpaid, the account can move toward a tax lien sale, which can strip the property from the owner at public auction.

• Refer to the Texas Property Tax Code for the current penalty rate that applies during the first year of delinquency.
• Refer to the Texas Property Tax Code for the current interest rate and any cap that applies to delinquent property tax accounts.
• Collection fees and attorney fees are added once the account is sent to the delinquent tax attorney for enforcement.

Notice of Delinquency and Collection Steps

The Notice of Delinquency is the first formal collection step on a delinquent Comal County property tax account, and it is mailed to the property owner of record and to the lienholder. The notice lists the original tax, the penalty, the interest, the collection fee, and the total amount needed to cure the default. Owners have a set window from the date of the notice to pay in full or to enter an installment agreement, and missing the window can push the account into a tax warrant.

• Pay the full amount listed on the notice, including penalty, interest, and collection fees, to bring the account current.
• Request an installment agreement if the full amount is hard to pay in one lump sum, then stick to the agreed schedule.
• Contact the Comal County Tax Office to verify the current balance and the payment instructions before writing a single check.

Property Tax Lien Sale in Texas

Delinquent property tax accounts in Texas can be foreclosed through a tax lien sale, and Comal County accounts follow the same state-level process used across the state. The tax collector refers the account to the delinquent tax attorney, who obtains a court judgment and schedules a sale of the property at public auction. Buyers at a tax sale receive a tax sale deed after the redemption period ends, and the original owner can lose the home, the land, or both if the debt stays unpaid.

• Tax lien sales are advertised through the channels required by Texas law, including the Comal County courthouse and the local newspaper.
• The original owner has a redemption period set by state statute, with interest due on the redemption amount.
• Owners facing a sale should contact a Texas property tax attorney or a nonprofit housing counselor to explore every option before the sale date.

Property Tax Refund Eligibility in Comal County

Property owners who pay too much in property tax can request a refund through the Comal County Tax Assessor-Collector, but the refund request must be filed within the statute of limitations. Common reasons for a refund include a successful protest that lowers the value, an exemption that is granted after the bill was paid, a clerical error on the tax statement, and a duplicate payment. Refund requests require supporting paperwork, including the tax receipt, the corrected tax statement, the protest decision, or the exemption approval letter.

• File a written refund request with the Comal County Tax Office within the time period required by the Texas Property Tax Code.
• Include copies of the tax receipt, the corrected statement, and any letter from the appraisal district that supports the refund.
• The tax office will issue the refund by check or apply the credit to the next year’s tax bill, based on the request from the property owner.

Texas Property Tax Relief Programs Available in 2026

Texas runs a long list of property tax relief programs, and Comal County homeowners can stack several of them to lower the bill each year. The homestead exemption, the school district additional homestead exemption, the over-65 ceiling, the disabled veteran exemption, the surviving spouse exemption, and the property tax deferral for seniors all count as relief programs. The Texas Comptroller publishes a complete list of state-level programs and local-option exemptions on the Property Tax Assistance Division page, including the latest eligibility rules and filing steps.

• Apply for the homestead exemption between January 1 and April 30 to lock in the relief for the upcoming fall tax bills.
• Check the Comal Appraisal District website for the current list of local-option exemptions adopted by the city, county, and school district.
• Review the Property Tax Assistance Division page for state-level relief programs that may be available for seniors, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses.

Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens in Texas

Texas allows homeowners age 65 or older to defer the property tax bill on the homestead, and the deferral stays in place until the homeowner moves, sells the home, or passes away. Deferred taxes accrue interest at a rate set by the Texas Comptroller, and the deferred amount becomes a lien on the home that is paid out of the sale proceeds. To qualify, the homeowner must have the over-65 exemption, the home must be the homestead, and the homeowner must file a deferral affidavit with the appraisal district.

• File the deferral affidavit with the Comal Appraisal District after the over-65 exemption is in place.
• Continue to file the annual homestead application to keep the over-65 exemption active and the deferral in place.
• Pay the deferred balance plus interest out of the sale proceeds when the home is sold or transferred.

School District Tax Rates in Comal County

School district rates are the single largest line item on most Comal County property tax bills, and the Comal Independent School District sets its rate each year through a Truth in Taxation public hearing. New Braunfels ISD, Comal ISD, and the smaller districts that overlap the county all publish their adopted rates and budget summaries on their own websites. Property owners who want a lower school tax bill can support the district’s local-option homestead exemption, file for the additional exemption, and protest the home’s value at the appraisal district.

• Attend the school district’s Truth in Taxation hearing in August or September to hear the proposed rate and the rollback rate.
• File the additional homestead exemption on the principal residence to capture the full school value reduction.
• Protest the appraised value to lower the basis on which the school district rate is applied.

Municipal Tax Levy New Braunfels

The City of New Braunfels adopts its own property tax rate each year after a public hearing, and the city rate funds police, fire, streets, parks, and general municipal services. The municipal levy stacks on top of the county, school district, and any special district rates that overlap a parcel inside the city limits. Property owners can find the city’s adopted rate, the rollback rate, and the Truth in Taxation notice on the City of New Braunfels website and in the local newspaper before the vote.

• Check the city’s published Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase for the proposed rate and the rollback rate.
• File a homestead exemption with the Comal Appraisal District to lower the city portion of the tax bill as well.
• Protest the appraised value with the Comal Appraisal District to lower the basis on which the city rate is applied.

New Construction and Prorated Property Taxes

New construction in New Braunfels is added to the tax roll on January 1 of the year the structure is substantially complete, and the property owner receives a supplemental tax bill once the value is certified. The supplemental bill covers the period from the January 1 lien date to the end of the tax year, and the amount is prorated under the Texas Property Tax Code. A home that is finished in June of 2026 will see a 2026 supplemental bill that covers about half a year of taxes, on top of the regular 2026 tax bill on the land only.

• Confirm the January 1 completion date with the Comal Appraisal District and ask for a copy of the supplemental appraisal record.
• Pay the supplemental bill separately from the regular tax bill, on the same January 31 deadline for the regular bill.
• Protest the new construction value if the appraised amount looks high compared to similar new homes in the same neighborhood.

Property Tax Audit Process in New Braunfels

The Comal Appraisal District runs a routine audit of business personal property accounts, exemption claims, and agricultural valuation claims, and Comal County homeowners can be asked to verify exemption paperwork as well. An audit notice gives the property owner a set window to supply receipts, leases, income records, or exemption documentation, and a failure to respond can result in a rolled-back exemption or a higher value. Owners facing an audit should gather the requested records, respond in writing, and ask for a written determination once the audit is complete.

• Read the audit notice carefully, mark the response deadline on the calendar, and list the requested documents before the due date.
• Provide clear copies of the requested records, and keep the originals in a safe place for at least three years after the audit closes.
• Request a written copy of the audit determination, the corrected value, and the corrected exemption status once the review is finished.

Real Estate Tax Calculator Tools in Texas

Real estate tax calculators help New Braunfels buyers and owners estimate the annual property tax bill on a parcel, using the assessed value and the combined tax rate for the area. Most calculators use the current year certified value and the combined rate for the county, city, school district, and special districts that overlap the parcel. A reliable estimate lets a buyer compare properties, plan monthly escrow, and stress-test the impact of a future rate increase or a future value change.

• Pull the current assessed value from the Comal Appraisal District property record before running any estimate.
• Pull the combined tax rate for the parcel from the Texas Comptroller’s property tax database for the year you want to estimate.
• Use the calculator to model a purchase, a refinance, a renovation, and a senior exemption to see the year-by-year bill.

Census Data Impact on Property Tax

Federal census data shapes Comal County property tax in several ways, from the population count that drives state funding formulas to the income and housing data that feeds the appraisal district’s market models. Comal County was one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation in the 2020 census, with the population jumping to roughly 161,501 residents. The growth pattern has driven land values, rental rates, and single-family home prices sharply higher, and those higher values show up directly on the tax roll every January.

• Faster population growth pushes demand for housing, retail, and infrastructure, which lifts the market values used by the appraisal district.
• School district funding formulas are tied to census counts, property wealth, and student counts, all of which change year to year.
• Special districts and city services are reviewed after each census to match the new service area with the new service population.

2026 Property Tax Forecast for Comal County

The 2026 tax year will bring higher Comal County property tax bills for many New Braunfels owners, driven by the new county rate, higher appraised values, and rising school district levies. The county adopted a 30.5-cent rate for 2026, the school district rates are still working through their Truth in Taxation process, and city and special district rates will be set in the same window. Property owners who file every exemption, protest an inflated value, and pay on time will see the smallest possible bill, and any refund or correction will follow the standard Texas Property Tax Code process.

• File the standard homestead exemption and any over-65, disabled, or veteran exemptions before the April 30 deadline.
• Review the Notice of Appraised Value as soon as it arrives in April or May, and protest any value that does not match the market.
• Pay the bill by January 31, or by the next business day if January 31 falls on a weekend, to avoid the standard penalty and interest schedule.

Contact, Local Details, and Map

For property tax questions, payment confirmations, refund requests, and address changes, contact the Comal County Tax Assessor-Collector at the main office on N. Seguin Avenue in New Braunfels. The Taxpayer Portal for the Comal Appraisal District is available at https://portal.comalad.org, and the main Comal County website is https://www.comalcounty.gov. Both offices are open during standard Comal County business hours, and the county website lists the current office hours, public counters, and phone menu for each department.

• Tax Assessor-Collector mailing address: P.O. Box 659480, New Braunfels, TX 78131-9480.
• Main Comal County website: https://ww

  w.comalcounty.gov.

• Comal Appraisal District Taxpayer Portal: https://portal.comalad.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Braunfels property tax matters affect homeowners, renters, and business owners alike. Knowing where to find your tax bill, how to claim exemptions, and whom to call for help can save time and money. The Comal County Tax Assessor‑Collector office handles all tax billing, collection, and public records for parcels inside New Braunfels. Use the official website, phone line, or email to resolve common issues quickly.

Where can I view my New Braunfels property tax bill online?

Visit the Comal County website at https://www.comalcounty.gov and click “Taxpayer Portal.” After logging in with your account number or parcel ID, you can see the current bill, payment history, and any exemptions applied. The portal also shows due dates and lets you pay by credit card, e‑check, or bank transfer. If you do not have login details, the site offers a “Forgot ID” link to retrieve them using your mailing address.

What is the deadline for paying New Braunfels property taxes in 2026?

The tax bill is due by January 31, 2026. Because that date fell on a Saturday, the county accepted payments through February 2, 2026. Payments after the extended deadline incur interest and penalty as required by Texas law. To avoid extra charges, pay online, by phone, or mail your check before the final date.

How do I apply for the homestead exemption in New Braunfels?

Start at the Comal County Appraisal District office, 900 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, or use the online form on their website. Submit proof of ownership and residency, such as a driver’s license and deed, before April 30, 2026. Once approved, the exemption reduces the taxable value by $25,000, lowering your overall bill. Check the portal to confirm the exemption appears on your next statement.

What steps should I take to protest a New Braunfels property tax assessment?

First, locate your Notice of Appraised Value in the taxpayer portal. Then, download Form 50‑132 (Notice of Protest) from the Comptroller’s site. Fill in the form, attach supporting evidence like recent sales data, and file it with the Comal County Tax Assessor‑Collector office by the later of May 15 or 30 days after the notice date. Keep a copy of the filed form and follow up by phone at (830) 221‑1353 if you do not receive a confirmation.

Which payment methods does the New Braunfels tax office accept for commercial property taxes?

Commercial owners can pay via the online portal, credit card, or e‑check. The office also accepts mailed checks sent to the Frost Bank lockbox at P.O. Box 659480, San Antonio, TX 78265. For large balances, you may arrange a payment plan by calling (830) 221‑1353. Always include the parcel ID on the payment to ensure proper posting.