The Weekly Roundup from the Office of Rick Barnes

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:

Property Tax Penalty & Interest Information

New ID Requirements for Registration

Save Time, Register Your Vehicle Online

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Penalty & Interest Accrual Beginning February 3, 2026

Please be advised: Per Texas Tax Code penalty and interest charges begin to accrue on taxes for the preceding year if not paid by the due date.

Penalties: Charges begin at 6% and increase monthly, reaching a maximum of 12% in July.
Interest: Accrues at a rate of 1% per month until the account is paid in full.

To avoid these additional costs, please ensure your payment is processed or postmarked by the applicable deadline.

Month Paid	Penalty	Interest	Total
February	6%	1%	7%
March	7%	2%	9%
April	8%	3%	11%
May	9%	4%	13%
June	10%	5%	15%
July	12%	6%	18%

It’s Not Too Late: Still Time to Stay on the Quarter Payment Plan!

You can still participate in the Quarter Payment Plan if you have qualifying exemptions, but you must act quickly to keep your account on track.

To resume your quarterly installments for the year, pay your first quarter payment, along with the 6% penalty and 1% interest fee, on or before March 2, 2026.

What You Need to Know:

The Deadline: Your payment (including penalty and interest) must be received by March 2, 2026.
The Benefit: Once this payment is made, you are officially back on the plan and can resume your remaining installments as scheduled.
The Penalty: Acting now prevents further penalty and interest from accruing and keeps your payment plan active for the rest of 2026.

Don't let one missed date derail your budget for the year. Pay online or visit one of our offices today to stay on the plan!

Property Tax Payment Portal

Property Tax Payment Information

Need help determining what you owe? We’re here to assist.

Contact Us:

📞 Call: 817‑884‑1100
💻 Online: Check your account 24/7 from home or mobile. View details and updates instantly.
- Note: Confidential accounts are not accessible online. Please pay by phone or in person.

✅ Fast & Secure Payment Options Avoid delays, lost mail, or stolen payments by using one of these secure methods:

Use our Online Portal
Pay by Phone: 817‑884‑1110
Visit us in person at one of our 8 locations

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.

Beat the Wait!

Did you know you can check the line before you even leave your house? Our Live Wait Time Clock shows you exactly how long the queue is at every one of our locations in real-time.

Check Wait Times Here

New TxDMV Mandate: Updated Identification Standards

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; Maine IDs may show the State Outline 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. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, or a Foreign Passport.
- Important: Foreign passports must be accompanied by a valid unexpired U.S. Visa (must read "IMMIGRANT VISA") or a Permanent Resident Card.
Military: Unexpired U.S. Military ID, NATO ID, or ID issued under a Status of Forces Agreement.
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 that are not REAL ID Compliant
Employment Authorization Cards
City Identification Cards
Border Crossing Cards (B1/B2 Visas)
International Driver's Licenses

4. Good News & Exceptions You do not need to meet these strict REAL ID requirements for the following transactions:

Title Only transactions
Replacement Plates or Stickers
Address Changes
Adding/Removing a Lienholder
Obtaining a Disabled Person Placard
Obtaining a Temporary Permit

5. Buying with a Co-Owner? If you are adding another person to the title, both parties must provide a compliant ID. If the co-owner cannot be present, you must have a clear copy or photo of their compliant ID to proceed.

Skip the line: Renew your vehicle registration online!

Registration renewal doesn’t have to be a chore. Instead of driving to one of our county offices, you can now renew your vehicle registration in minutes using Texas by Texas (TxT)—the official, secure digital assistant for the State of Texas.

Why renew online?

Instant Confirmation: Receive an immediate digital payment receipt.
Highly Secure: Your data is protected by the state's official digital platform.
Convenient: Renew from your phone or computer, 24/7.
Tracking: Easily track the status of your sticker delivery.

Ready to get started? Visit the official TxDMV portal by following the link using the button labeled "Vehicle Registration" below.

Vehicle Registration

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Tarrant County Tax Office · 100 E Weatherford St · Fort Worth, TX 76196-0206 · USA

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