Denton County, home to Denton and some 1.0 million Texans, has a property tax structure composed of 4 overlapping taxing entities. A homeowner inside Denton 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 Denton County, the combined rate reaches approximately 2.03% for a typical Denton 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 reflects the adopted 2025 rates used to bill the 2026 tax year, drawn from the Denton Central Appraisal District's official roll.
2026 Denton County rate breakdown (per $100 AV, Denton district)
| Taxing entity | Rate |
|---|---|
| Denton ISD | 1.1596 |
| City of Denton | 0.5608 |
| Denton County | 0.1895 |
| North Central Texas College | 0.1180 |
| Combined total | 2.0278 |
Exemptions you should actually file
Residence Homestead — everyone who owns their primary residence
As of 2023, Texas exempts the first $100,000 of your home's value from school district property tax. The exemption must be filed with DCAD 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 Denton-area homeowner can spend each year is filing a protest with DCAD, 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.