If you’ve fallen behind on property taxes in the Rio Grande Valley, you’re not alone. Many homeowners in Hidalgo County and Cameron County find themselves in this situation — and the good news is that having a tax lien on your property does not mean you can’t sell it.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Property Tax Lien in Texas?
In Texas, when property taxes go unpaid, the county automatically places a lien on the property. This lien gives the taxing authority — whether that’s Hidalgo County, Cameron County, or a local municipality — a legal claim against your property until the debt is paid.
Unlike most other states, Texas property tax liens take priority over almost every other type of lien, including mortgage liens. This means the taxing authority gets paid first when the property sells.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Property Taxes in Texas?
If property taxes remain unpaid, here’s the general timeline in Texas:
- February 1 — Taxes become delinquent if not paid by January 31
- July 1 — The account is turned over to a delinquent tax attorney, and additional fees are added
- After 2 years — The county can initiate a tax foreclosure lawsuit to force the sale of the property
Once a tax foreclosure lawsuit is filed, the process moves quickly. At that point your options become very limited. Acting before that happens gives you far more control over the outcome.
Can You Sell a House With Delinquent Property Taxes?
Yes — and it’s one of the most common situations we handle at Sunbelt Cash Offer.
When you sell your house to us, the delinquent taxes, penalties, and attorney fees are all paid off at closing from the sale proceeds. You don’t need to come up with the money upfront. The title company handles the payoff directly, and you receive whatever is left after the liens are cleared.
This means even if you owe several years of back taxes, you can still sell and walk away clean — no more tax debt, no more threatening letters, no more risk of losing the property to foreclosure.
How Much Do Delinquent Property Taxes Cost in Texas?
Delinquent taxes in Texas come with significant penalties and interest:
- 6% penalty added on February 1
- An additional 1% interest per month after that
- Up to 20% additional attorney fees once the account is referred to a collections attorney
This means a $5,000 tax debt can quickly grow to $7,000 or more within a single year. The longer you wait, the more it costs.
What If the Tax Debt Is More Than the House Is Worth?
This is a difficult situation but it does happen, especially with older properties or vacant land. In these cases, selling quickly for cash is still often the best option — it stops the fees from growing and eliminates your ongoing liability for a property that is costing you money every month.
We’ll always give you an honest assessment of your situation and never pressure you into a sale that doesn’t make sense for you.
We Buy Houses With Tax Liens Throughout the RGV
If your property in McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Harlingen, Weslaco, San Benito, Donna, or anywhere in Hidalgo or Cameron County has delinquent taxes, call Sunbelt Cash Offer today at (956) 884-4441.
We’ll make you a fair cash offer, handle the tax payoff at closing, and get you out from under the burden of delinquent property taxes — fast.