Tarrant County Homeowners & Delinquent Property Taxes

The last few years have been extremely challenging for residents of Tarrant County. We’ve faced many challenges, from the onslaught of COVID-19, which began in March 2020 and continues to sicken county residents, to the ongoing negative impact of rampant inflation, which has spiked food and energy prices.

Because of the pandemic, many Tarrant County residents lost their jobs or had their hours at work dramatically cut back, making many homeowners unable to pay their mortgages and property taxes. Sadly, the rapidly rising cost of living has forced some families to choose between buying food and paying their mortgage and taxes.

Fortunately, there are steps property owners in Tarrant County can take to find out where they stand concerning their property tax payment status and rectify the situation. How Tarrant County is Helping Residents with Delinquent Property Taxes

As part of the American Rescue Plan, some Tarrant County property owners can apply for assistance with delinquent property taxes.

The program, administered through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), helps qualified homeowners avoid foreclosure associated with financial hardship during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. All information is submitted to, and approved by, TDHCA.

Homeowners can apply for up to $25,000 to cover delinquent property taxes and mortgage payments. The funds can also be applied to eligible court costs, abstract fees, and other suit-related fees. Basic eligibility guidelines and required documents include the following:

• Evidence of delinquency (delinquent tax statement, notice from tax attorney)
  
  
• Late on one or more payments: property tax, mortgage, property insurance, HOA/condo fees
  
  
• Household income at or below 100% Area Median Income (AMI) or 100% of the median income for the U.S., whichever is greater
  
  
• Own and occupy a home in Texas as a primary residence with an existing homestead exemption in place with the Appraisal District
  
  
• Experienced a qualified financial hardship after January 21, 2020 (lost income or increased expenses resulting from the pandemic)
  
  
• Include an approved form of ID, driver's license, Social Security Card, Military ID, State ID, birth certificate
  
  
• Verified income statement (W2, IRS Form 1099, tax return, pay stub, employer attestation)

The application process entails:

• Homeowners can submit an application through the online portal.
  
  
• Resources are available to assist homeowners with completing applications by reviewing comprehensive help documents within the application system. For additional assistance, contact the Call Center at 1-833-651-3874.
  
  
• Applications are reviewed to determine whether the homeowner qualifies for program assistance. Check the status of your application here.
  
  
• Once the homeowner's application is approved, payments are sent directly to the mortgage servicer or property charge payee (tax authority, insurance company, or HOA).

Required documentation includes:

• Identification card, like a driver's license or Social Security card
  
  
• Past Due Mortgage Statement, Property Tax Statement, Insurance Statement, and/or HOA Statement
  
  
• Proof of occupancy, like a utility bill
  
  
• Income documentation, like pay stubs or tax returns

For more information, go to www.TexasHomeownerAssistance.com or call 833-651-3874.

Non-Covid Related Property Tax Assistance in Tarrant County HERE.

Tarrant County offers residents different payment options for property tax assistance. You can do the following:

• Make your Tarrant County property tax payment in full when you get your bill.
  
  
• Choose the Half Payment Option — you’ll pay two equal installments, one on November 30th and one on June 30th, without entering delinquency.
  
  
• Select the Quarter Payment Option — you’ll pay four smaller payments, but it must be for your residence homestead (i.e., not a rental), and you must be eligible for an exemption.