The three key reasons for Texas’ high property taxes are:

• The state has no personal income tax.
• Local taxing authorities set their own property tax rates.
• Appraisal values on real estate continually go up.

Because there is no income tax, every county relies heavily on property taxes to fund essential public services, such as schools and police and fire departments. Texans definitely enjoy the lack of income tax, but why are Texas property taxes so high? That money has to come from somewhere. And, since different localities have different needs (and can make their own decisions on how to appraise real estate and other taxed property), rates vary wildly even across the state itself.