The Smith County Tax Office is mailing out 186,349 property tax statements.

This week, 168,378 bills were mailed out, and another 17,971 statements will be mailed next week to residents who live in the Whitehouse Independent School District area.

January 31, 2026, is the deadline for paying property taxes.

Payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement -- it will take you directly to the payment page on your account.

“It has been a game changer in how people pay their property taxes,” Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber said of adding the QR code. “If you want to skip the long lines at the Tax Office, I highly recommend you pay online.”

Taxpayers can visit: https://publictax.smith-county.com to pay their tax bills with debit or credit card or e-check, which is the easiest and fastest way to pay.

The tax statements mailed and online reflect the new homestead exemptions that were approved in the statewide Constitutional Amendment Election.

If you think you qualify for a homestead exemption, please contact the Smith County Appraisal District and file your exemption form. There is no charge to file for a homestead exemption. For more, visit: www.smithcad.org.

Taxpayers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop box outside of the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail.

Barber asked that when dropping off property tax payments in the drop box, you should write your phone number on the envelope so the Tax Office can call if any issues come up or questions need answered. He also said they will not accept cash left in the drop box. There is a sign pointing to the drop box, which is on the Glenwood Boulevard side of the Cotton Belt Building, located at 1517 W. Front St. in Tyler.

When you pay online with an e-check (bank account and routing numbers are needed), it is free. You can skip the line at the Tax Office and do not have to pay postage or credit card fees. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to make sure all accounts are included, and banking information is correct to avoid additional fees.

The Tax Office also takes payments in person with cash, check, money order and debit or credit cards. A 2.5 percent fee is added to credit card payments with a $2 minimum, and a 1.5 percent fee is added to debit card payments with a $2 minimum.

If mailed, the payments must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2026.

Barber said his office does take partial payments, and he encourages people to pay what they can, when they can since late fees are only added to the balance due.

Once delinquent, 7 percent penalties and interest are added to what is due. Those fees increase by 2 percent for each month payments are late. If the property taxes are not paid by July 1, 2026, there are up to 38 percent in penalty, interest and collection fees added to the account, Barber said.

For those who have paid off their mortgage company within the last year, and who have not received a property tax bill directly, Barber asks them to call his office as soon as possible.

The Tax Office in the Cotton Belt Building is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Property tax payments can also be made in person at the Tax Office Substations, at 2616 S. Main St. in Lindale; and in Noonday, at 15405 Highway 155 South.

For more information, call 903-590-2920 or visit www.smith-county.com/government/elected-officials/tax-assessor/property-taxes