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Property Tax Bill (Property Tax Statement)

A property tax bill is an annual statement issued by a county, city, or municipal tax assessor that lists the real estate being taxed, its assessed value, the total property tax due, and the payment due date. It identifies the property by address and parcel number and names the owner responsible for payment.

For tax year 2025, the combined state and local tax (SALT) deduction — which includes real estate property taxes — is capped at $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately), up from the prior $10,000 limit and scheduled to revert to $10,000 in 2030.

Source: IRS — Topic No. 503, Deductible Taxes

Written & maintained by the Granite team · Last updated June 2026

Overview

A property tax bill, sometimes called a property tax statement or real estate tax bill, is the document your local government sends to collect tax on land and buildings you own. It shows the assessed value the tax is based on, the millage or rate applied, the total amount due, and when payment is owed — often split into installments.

It is issued by the local taxing authority: a county tax assessor or collector, a city, a township, or a municipal taxing district — not by the IRS. It goes to the property owner of record. If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, your lender often pays the bill on your behalf and you receive the statement for your records.

When you’ll get your Property Tax Bill (Property Tax Statement)

  • You own a home, land, or other real estate and the annual assessment cycle has come due
  • Your county or city reassessed your property's value, changing what you owe
  • You need proof of property taxes paid to claim an itemized federal deduction on Schedule A (state and local taxes are capped — see the SALT FAQ below)
  • Your mortgage lender escrows taxes and sent you the statement for your records
  • You bought or sold property mid-year and taxes are being prorated between parties
  • You're appealing your assessed value and need the original statement as the baseline

What’s on your Property Tax Bill (Property Tax Statement)

These are the fields Granite reads and extracts automatically the moment you upload one.

Taxing authority
The county, city, township, or municipal office that issued the bill (e.g. 'Harris County Tax Office').
Taxpayer / owner name
The property owner of record responsible for paying the tax.
Property address
The street address of the parcel being taxed.
Parcel number (APN)
The Assessor's Parcel Number or tax ID that uniquely identifies the property in county records — what you quote when calling or appealing.
Assessed value
The dollar value the jurisdiction assigned to the property and used to calculate the tax. Often lower than market value.
Total tax due
The full property tax amount owed for the year, before any installment split.
Amount paid
Any portion already paid, if printed on the statement — useful when your lender escrows and pays in installments.
Due date
When payment is owed; if taxes are split, this is the first installment deadline.

How long to keep it

Keep at least 7 years; keep permanently for any property you still own.

The IRS can audit a return up to 3 years normally and up to 6 years if income was substantially understated, so keep paid bills about 7 years to back up a property-tax deduction. But hold every year's statement for as long as you own the property — the running history of assessed values is your evidence base for appeals and your cost-basis paper trail when you eventually sell.

How Granite handles your Property Tax Bill (Property Tax Statement)

Drop a property tax bill into Granite and it reads the document, pulls the taxing authority, parcel number, assessed value, total tax due, and due date, then titles and files it automatically. It links the bill to a property entity, so every year's statement for the same address stacks together — your assessed-value history in one view. Because Granite tracks the due date, it reminds you before payment is owed. Search 'Harris County property tax' or your address and the bill surfaces instantly.

FAQ

Property Tax Bill (Property Tax Statement): common questions

How do I get a copy of my property tax statement?
Get it from the county or municipal office where your property sits — usually the county treasurer, tax collector, or assessor. Most counties post current and past statements on their property-search portal, searchable by address or parcel number, and let you download a PDF. You stay responsible for paying on time even if you never receive a mailed copy.
Where do I find my property tax on Form 1098?
If your lender escrows taxes, the amount paid from escrow often appears in Box 10 ('Other') of Form 1098, sometimes labeled real estate taxes. Box 10 is optional, so many servicers leave it blank or report it on a separate escrow disbursement statement instead. The official figure still comes from your county tax bill, not the 1098.
What is the difference between a property tax bill and Form 1098?
A property tax bill is issued by your local government to collect real estate tax. Form 1098 is issued by your mortgage lender and reports mortgage interest. If your lender escrows taxes, the property tax paid may also appear in Box 10 of the 1098, but the official tax statement comes from the county or city, not the lender.
Is property tax the same as a real estate tax bill?
Yes. 'Property tax bill,' 'property tax statement,' and 'real estate tax bill' refer to the same document: the annual charge your county, city, or municipality levies on land and buildings you own. Some jurisdictions also tax personal property like vehicles separately, but on a home this is your real estate tax.
Where do I find the parcel number on my property tax statement?
The parcel number — also called the APN (Assessor's Parcel Number) or tax ID — is usually printed near the top of the statement beside the property address. It uniquely identifies your property in county records and is the number you quote when paying, calling the assessor, or filing an appeal.
Can I deduct property taxes on my federal return?
Yes, if you itemize on Schedule A (real estate taxes go on line 5b). State and local taxes — income or sales plus property tax — share one combined cap: $40,000 for 2025 ($20,000 if married filing separately), reduced for high incomes but not below $10,000, and scheduled to drop back to $10,000 in 2030. Keep the paid statement as proof of the amount and date.

Sources

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