Special to the NEWS
BROWNSVILLE, TX —A total of 21,417 delinquent tax notices for tax year 2024 have been mailed to real estate accounts that have not been paid, announced Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Edelmiro “Eddie” Garcia this week.
Garcia informed taxpayers who have not paid their 2024 taxes that alternative payment plans are available to them.
For example, he explained, that a tax payment agreement is an installment plan for paying taxes, penalties, and interest. All property owners can avoid the burden of delinquent attorney fees added on July 1 by establishing a payment agreement. Down payments may be required.
On July 1, 2025, all delinquent real estate tax accounts, as required by law, are transferred to the delinquent tax law firm for enforcement of collection. At the same time, a 15-20 percent attorney fee (depending on the collection rate adopted by each tax jurisdiction) is automatically assessed or added to the balance of taxes due unless the taxpayer has entered into a tax payment agreement.
Taxes for 2024 became delinquent on February 1, 2025. However, if a taxpayer signs an Installment or Payment Schedule Agreement with the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office on or before June 30 of this year (for real estate tax accounts only), attorney fees for taxes due for 2024 will not be added on July 1 for those taxpayers who continue making timely payments.
“The installment plan provides taxpayers a little relief by allowing them several additional months to pay their taxes in installments without the threat of a lawsuit,” said Garcia. A delinquent tax penalty, adopted under Section 33.07 of the Property Tax Code, does not apply to delinquent taxes subject to installment agreements entered into under Section 33.02 of the Texas Property Tax Code before July 1 of the year in which the taxes became delinquent. Property owners, who have not received their tax statement(s), can access their bill at www.cameroncountvtx.gov/tac or contact one of the offices to receive a copy.
“Approximately 93.53% of property taxes that Cameron County collects have already been paid,” said Garcia. The Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office is responsible for collecting a total tax levy of $588,703,849.12 from October 2024 to September 2025 for a total of 44 tax districts within Cameron County. The office has already collected a total of $542,724,170.51 for the 2024 tax year.
Methods of Payment
• Drop-off boxes — Payments of checks or money orders can be dropped off at available drop boxes located at * Brownsville Drive-Thru, East 8th and Levee St., Brownsville, (956) 589-7088 * Harlingen Branch Office, 3302 Wilson Rd., Harlingen, (956) 427-8013 * Harlingen Drive-Thru, 300 E. Van Buren, Harlingen, (956) 406-6080 * San Benito Drive-Thru, 199 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, (956) 247-8361 * Los Fresnos Branch Office, 745 W. Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos, (956) 233-4494 * Port Isabel Branch Office, 505 Highway 100, Port Isabel, (956) 943-8101.
• Online payments — taxpayers can pay their taxes by electronic check or credit card in the convenience of their home or office by going to www.cameroncountytx.gov/tac. A service fee of $2 will be charged to pay a property tax bill using an Internet check in the amount of $5,000 or less, online check payments over $5,000 will be charged $5. Credit and debit cards will incur a 3% convenience fee online and in person.
• Partial payments — taxpayers can pay any amount of pay their taxes at any office in Cameron County * Installment or Payment Schedule Agreements —a taxpayer may enter into a payment agreement to pay their taxes in payments, a down payment may be required.
• Mail-In payments — when a taxpayer mails the total amount of their property taxes.
• Over the counter payments — when a taxpayer pays their taxes over the counter using their check, cash or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express).
• Payments at any Lone Star National Bank- Current year property taxes can now be paid at Lone Star National Bank Locations in Cameron County. A copy of your 2022 consolidated tax bill must be presented in order to make a payment at Lone Star National Bank.
Cameron County collects for 100% of taxing jurisdictions in Cameron County. Visit www.cameroncountytx.gov/tac for more information.
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