News and Updates from the Office of Rick Barnes.

United by a shared commitment to excellence, we are a team of dedicated professionals who serve with joy, respect, and integrity.

What’s In Store This Week:

New ID Requirements for Registration

Property Tax Reminders

Important Update: New ID Requirements at the Tax Office

To ensure a smooth visit to the Tarrant County Tax Office, please double-check your identification before you arrive.

Please Note: These new identification standards for vehicle registration and title transfers are mandated by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) statewide. The Tarrant County Tax Office is required to implement these state-level changes.  Call, email or chat with us if you have any questions.

817-884-1100

[email protected]

Here is what you need to know to comply with the new TxDMV requirements:

1. Does your ID have the Star? Most customers will need an unexpired REAL ID compliant license or identification card. Check the top right corner of your card for one of these symbols:

• Gold Star

• Black Star

• Star inside a Gold or Black Circle

  Note: California IDs may show a Bear with a Star, and "Enhanced IDs" from WA, MI, NY, or VT may show an American Flag.

  
  

2. Other Acceptable Forms of ID If you do not have a REAL ID driver’s license, you may also present:

• Passports: Unexpired U.S. or Foreign Passports (Foreign passports must include a valid U.S. Visa or Green Card).

• Military: Unexpired U.S. Military ID or NATO ID.

• Handgun License: Unexpired Texas License to Carry (LTC/CHL).

  
  

3. What is NOT Accepted? Please do not bring the following as your primary identification for title or registration:

• IDs marked “Federal Limits Apply” or “Not for Federal Identification”.

• Employment Authorization Cards.

• City Identification Cards.

• Border Crossing Cards.

  
  

4. Good News & Exceptions

• When You Don’t Need a REAL ID: You do not need to meet these new strict requirements if you are processing a Title Only transaction, picking up a Disabled Person Placard, or obtaining a temporary Permit.

Mineral Account Update

Mineral account bills were mailed out on January 5, 2026. Please note that the Tarrant Appraisal District recently changed mineral vendors from Pritchard & Abbot to Capitol Appraisal. Due to this change, the system encountered challenges during the migration of the multi-mineral accounts. In this mailing, you may receive most minerals bundled in one statement, while still receiving single statements for individual accounts. We appreciate your patience as we work diligently with the Tarrant Appraisal District to correct this issue.

🏠 Property Tax Payment Reminder

Need help figuring out how much property tax you owe? We’re here to help!

📞 Call us at 817‑884‑1100 for assistance.

💻 Check your account online anytime — view details and updates to your Tarrant County Tax Office account from the comfort of your home or mobile device, available 24/7.

⚠️ Please note: Confidential accounts are not accessible online, but payments can still be made by phone or in person.

✅ Fast & Secure Payment Options

• Use our online portal

• Pay by phone at 817‑884‑1110

• Visit us in person

These methods help avoid delays, lost mail, or stolen payments — ensuring your payment is processed quickly and securely.

You likely received a notification from your mortgage company around the second week of December confirming that your property taxes have been paid. However, please be aware that most lenders use third-party tax services that wait to issue the Tax Office one large lump-sum payment on December 31.

We kindly request your patience as we process these bulk payments. We recommend verifying your account status on our website in early January.

Questions? Please contact our office at 817-884-1100.

Important Deadline: Property Taxes Due Jan 31

Please mark your calendars. January 31 is the final deadline to pay property taxes to avoid penalty and interest.

• General Accounts: This is the last day to pay before accounts become delinquent.

• Quarter Payment Plans: For those with Over-65 or Disability Homestead exemptions, the first payment of your quarter payment plan is due on or before this date.

  
  

Please ensure your payment is postmarked or processed online by January 31 to avoid any additional fees.

Haven’t Received Your Tax Statement Yet?

Please be advised that all Tarrant County tax statements have now been mailed. If you have not yet received your property tax statement, please contact our office immediately so we can assist you.  

Call: 817-884-1100

Email: [email protected]

Reminder:  Statements are available to view online.

Important: Double-Check Your Property Tax Payment

We have received reports from taxpayers who received an initial payment confirmation from our system, only to discover days later that their financial institution rejected the transaction. Please be aware that the Tax Office has no control over these bank denials. To ensure a successful payment process, please review your online banking or account activity within 5–7 days of the transaction to confirm the funds have posted.

Important Update regarding Delinquent Tax Notifications

The office of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, Sampson LLP will soon begin a new text messaging program to collect on delinquent accounts. Please note that the Tarrant County Tax Office does not contract with Linebarger; instead, each entity (City, County, School) contracts with a delinquent attorney to collect on delinquent accounts.

Friendly Reminder for Dealers

Yellow SIT Property Tax Statements

If you receive a yellow Annual SIT Property Tax Statement from the Tarrant County Tax Office and pay into your 2025 SIT escrow account, please do not pay from the statement until the transfer is complete.  Important:  Statements include: “Do Not Pay from this statement.”  Escrowed funds will be applied automatically in mid-January.

Escrow Transfer Highlights:

• Funds are transferred mid-January to pay taxes.

• No action is needed unless your 2025 escrow account has no funds.

Deficiency Notices:
If escrow doesn’t cover the full amount, a Deficiency Notice will be mailed showing the remaining balance.