For homeowners in Magnolia Springs, the 2026 Notice of Estimated Taxes is more than another piece of property-related mail. It provides an early look at how decisions made by school districts, cities, Montgomery County and other local taxing entities could affect household property tax bills.

The Montgomery County Tax Office is encouraging property owners to use the state and county Truth in Taxation websites to review estimated taxes and follow proposed tax rates as they move through the public approval process.

The information is expected to be updated regularly during August and September as local elected officials develop budgets, propose tax rates, hold public meetings and ultimately adopt the rates that will determine 2026 property tax bills.

How Montgomery County Residents Can Review Estimated Property Taxes

Property owners can begin at the Texas Property Tax Directory, available through Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes, to locate Montgomery County’s local property tax database.

The county’s Truth in Taxation website allows residents to search for individual properties and review information provided by the Montgomery Central Appraisal District and local taxing units. Depending on when a resident checks the site, the information may include:

• The property’s market and taxable values
• The taxing entities associated with the property
• Proposed property tax rates
• No-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates
• Estimated taxes under proposed rates
• Public hearing dates, times and locations
• Contact information for local taxing units
• Options for submitting feedback

Texas law requires county property tax databases to be updated as taxing entities provide new information during the rate-setting process. Property owners are generally notified by early August, or as soon as practicable, that their estimated taxes are available online.

For residents of Magnolia Springs, checking the database more than once may be helpful because an early estimate can change as local governments and other taxing entities revise or adopt their rates.

How to Register for Property Tax Notifications

Montgomery County property owners can also register for updates through the county’s tax transparency portal.

After entering the Montgomery Central Appraisal District portal, residents can create an account or sign in to an existing account. Properties can then be added under the “My Properties” tab and marked to “Receive Updates.”

Registration can help homeowners follow changes without repeatedly searching for their property throughout the budget and tax-rate season.

Residents should keep in mind that the Notice of Estimated Taxes is not the final property tax bill. It is intended to show what each taxing entity may impose if its proposed rate is adopted.

What Is Truth in Taxation?

Truth in Taxation is the process designed to make local property tax decisions more visible to taxpayers. It requires local taxing units to disclose proposed rates, provide required notices and give residents opportunities to participate when budgets and tax rates are being considered.

The system does not prevent a tax increase. Instead, it allows property owners to see how proposed decisions may affect their bills before final rates are adopted.

The Texas Comptroller explains that property owners have a right to know about increases in appraised values and the estimated taxes that could result. Local appraisal districts and taxing units must publish detailed information to help residents understand proposed budgets and tax rates.

Understanding the No-New-Revenue Tax Rate

The no-new-revenue tax rate, often listed as the NNR rate, is the rate calculated to generate approximately the same amount of property tax revenue from properties taxed in both the current and previous year.

In simple terms, when existing property values rise, the no-new-revenue rate generally decreases. When values fall, the calculated rate may increase.

The calculation accounts for factors such as changes to the tax roll, lost property and new construction. It provides taxpayers with a comparison point when evaluating a proposed tax rate, but it does not necessarily mean an individual homeowner’s bill will remain unchanged.

What Is the Voter-Approval Tax Rate?

The voter-approval tax rate is generally the highest rate a taxing unit may adopt without triggering an election or another voter-related approval process, depending on the type of taxing entity and the circumstances.

For many cities and counties, the calculation includes a 3.5% revenue-growth threshold for maintenance and operations. Certain special taxing units, including some hospital and junior college districts, may use an 8% threshold. School districts follow separate calculations that take operating funding and debt obligations into account.

These percentages do not mean every resident’s tax bill will rise by the same amount. A final bill depends on several factors, including the property’s taxable value, exemptions and the combined rates adopted by every entity that taxes the property.

Who Actually Determines a Property Tax Bill?

Texas does not impose a state property tax. Property taxes are levied by local governments and other local taxing entities to support services such as public schools, roads, law enforcement, fire protection, emergency services and community infrastructure.

Locally elected officials—including school board trustees, city council members and county commissioners—adopt budgets and tax rates for their respective entities.

The appraisal district determines property values and administers exemptions, but it does not set the tax rates. The Texas Legislature also does not establish the amount of an individual local property tax bill.

Most property owners receive one consolidated bill showing the taxes owed to multiple entities. When a homeowner pays property taxes through a mortgage escrow account, the bill is generally sent to the mortgage company for payment.

Why Public Hearings Matter

Local taxing units must publish information about proposed budgets and tax rates and, when required, announce public hearing details.

Montgomery County’s Truth in Taxation website is designed to bring much of that information together in one place. Residents can review meeting details, compare proposed rates and provide feedback directly to taxing entities.

Some taxing units must issue specific notices when a proposed rate exceeds the no-new-revenue rate, the voter-approval rate or both. The applicable notice and election requirements vary by entity and the proposed rate.

For homeowners concerned about rising costs, this period offers an opportunity to ask questions before decisions are final—not after tax bills arrive.

New Texas Database Tracks Local Bonds and Tax Elections

Property owners also have access to another transparency resource following the passage of House Bill 103 during the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025.

The law directed the Texas Comptroller’s Office to maintain a statewide Local Government Bond, Tax and Project Transparency Database. Taxing units were required to submit applicable historical information covering tax years 2015 through 2025 by Jan. 1, 2026.

The database includes information about qualifying bond elections, voter-approval tax rate elections and school district maintenance-and-operations tax elections. Available details may include ballot language, election results, projected debt-service tax rates and projects supported by bond proceeds.

The Comptroller notes that information in the database is submitted by local taxing units and is not independently verified by the state agency.

Questions About Montgomery County Property Taxes

Residents seeking additional information or contact details for a specific taxing unit may contact:

Montgomery County Tax Office
Tammy McRae, Tax Assessor-Collector
400 N. San Jacinto St., Conroe, TX 77301-2823
936-539-7897 

The practical takeaway for Magnolia Springs homeowners is to review their property information early, register for notifications and pay attention to public hearing dates. Estimated taxes can provide valuable advance notice, but the final amount will depend on the tax rates ultimately adopted by each local taxing entity.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates that help Montgomery County residents understand local tax decisions, public meetings and other issues affecting their homes and neighborhoods.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal or professional advice. Property tax circumstances vary by property and taxpayer. Residents with questions about their individual situation should consult a qualified tax professional, financial adviser, attorney or the appropriate local taxing authority.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.