Hays County, home to San Marcos and some 0.3 million Texans, has a property tax structure composed of 4 overlapping taxing entities. A homeowner inside San Marcos pays the school district, city, county, and several additional special districts — each with their own rate. This guide explains every line, how to calculate your bill, and which exemptions you are almost certainly leaving on the table.
How the bill is built
Your annual property tax bill is the product of two numbers: your property's taxable value (its appraised value minus any exemptions you qualify for) and the combined tax rate levied by every entity whose jurisdiction includes your parcel. In Hays County, the combined rate reaches approximately 2.08% for a typical San Marcos address, with the single largest line — school district tax — representing roughly half the bill.
The calculator to the right lets you input your appraised value and toggle the most common exemptions. The breakdown below uses the rates stored in this county record. Confirm the applicable tax year and rates with Hays Central Appraisal District before using the estimate.
Hays County rate breakdown (per $100 AV, San Marcos district)
| Taxing entity | Rate |
|---|---|
| Hays Consolidated ISD | 1.0292 |
| Hays County (general) | 0.3867 |
| City of San Marcos | 0.5703 |
| Austin Community College | 0.0987 |
| Combined total | 2.0849 |
Data record updated April 27, 2026. This is an editorial update date, not a tax year or a guarantee that every figure has been independently verified.
Sources and scope: Check rates and parcel details with Hays Central Appraisal District. Figures may refer to different source years; a county-seat rate does not apply to every address. How we use data and estimates.
Exemptions you should actually file
Residence Homestead — everyone who owns their primary residence
Texas exempts the first $140,000 of your home's value from school district property tax — raised from $100,000 by Proposition 13, approved by voters in November 2025. Homeowners aged 65 or older, and those who are disabled, get a further $60,000 off (up from $10,000 under Proposition 11), for a combined $200,000. The exemption must be filed with HCAD by April 30 of the tax year for which you want it to apply. There is no fee. You need a Texas driver's license or ID showing the property address and proof of ownership.
Over-65 or Disabled — additional $10,000 school, plus tax ceiling
Homeowners who are 65 or older receive an additional $10,000 school district exemption, and their school district taxes are frozen at the amount owed the year they turned 65. They cannot go up even if rates or appraisals increase.
100% Disabled Veteran — full exemption
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability pay zero property tax on their primary residence. Partial disability ratings receive partial exemptions on a sliding scale.
Protesting your appraisal
The single highest-ROI hour a San Marcos-area homeowner can spend each year is filing a protest with HCAD, which must be submitted by May 15 (or 30 days after you receive your notice, whichever is later). Roughly half of all Texas homeowners who protest receive some reduction in their appraised value.