Your bill is the sum of five pieces
| Taxing entity | Typical rate (per $100) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| School district | $0.9496 (Conroe ISD) | Tomball ISD $1.0629; Magnolia ISD $0.9895 |
| County (incl. hospital and college districts) | $0.5363 (Montgomery) | Harris County portion is $0.7163 |
| The Woodlands Township | $0.1714 | Same across the Township; Town Center adds a $0.12 owners-association fee |
| Municipal Utility District (MUD) | $0.04–$0.44 | Varies by street; pays for water, sewer and drainage |
| Total | about $1.70–$2.43 | Exact rate depends on your MUD |
Rates shown are those payable in 2025 (Howard Hughes tax table). Conroe ISD and the Township kept the same rates for the 2025–26 year.
The homestead exemption, explained
A homestead exemption removes part of your home's value from taxation, so you pay tax on a smaller number. It applies only to your primary residence, and you file it once with the appraisal district after you've moved in. Each taxing entity sets its own exemption, so your bill shows several.
In November 2025, Texas voters raised the school-tax homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. Homeowners 65 or older, or disabled, receive an extra $60,000 off school taxes, for $200,000 in total.
Worked example: a $550,000 home
Conroe ISD, 1.80% area, homestead filed, owner under 65.
| Line | Taxable value | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| School (Conroe ISD) | $410,000 | $3,893 |
| Township | $533,500 | $914 |
| County, MUD and other | $550,000 | $3,740 |
| Estimated total | about $8,550 |
Without the homestead exemption, the same home would owe about $9,900, so filing saves roughly $1,350 a year.
Exemptions by taxing entity
| Taxing entity | General homestead exemption | Age 65+ or disabled (added on top) |
|---|---|---|
| School district (Conroe, Tomball or Magnolia ISD) | $140,000 off value | +$60,000 (total $200,000), plus a school-tax freeze |
| The Woodlands Township | 3% of value | +$50,000 |
| Montgomery County | Check your bill | +$50,000, plus a county tax freeze |
| Harris County (Creekside Park) | 20% of value | Additional senior exemption available |
| MUD | Varies by district | Varies by district |
Other protections
- The 10% homestead cap. Once you have a homestead exemption, your taxable value can't rise more than 10% a year, even if the market value jumps (new improvements excepted).
- Age 65+ tax freeze. Your school taxes are frozen at the level of the year you qualify. Montgomery County and Lone Star College also offer a freeze.
- Disabled veterans. Partial exemptions based on disability rating, and veterans rated 100% disabled can be fully exempt.
- Surviving spouses of qualifying seniors, veterans and first responders may keep certain exemptions.
The property-tax calendar
- Jan 1Your home's value is set as of this date
- April–MayAppraisal notices arrive
- April 30Usual deadline to file exemptions for the current year
- May 15Deadline to protest (or 30 days after your notice)
- May–JulyProtest hearings
- Aug–SeptTax rates are set
- Oct–NovTax bills are mailed
- Jan 31Taxes due; penalties start Feb. 1
If you have a mortgage, your lender usually pays the bill from escrow, but you're still responsible for filing exemptions and any protest.
Should you protest?
Many Woodlands homeowners protest their appraisal every year. You can file online with your notice's Online Protest ID, compare recent sales of similar homes, and often settle at an informal review. Some owners hire a protest service for a share of the savings.
- Montgomery Central Appraisal District: mcad-tx.org
- Harris Central Appraisal District (Creekside Park): hcad.org
Other costs to plan for
- HOA fees. Most of The Woodlands has no separate HOA dues because the Township tax funds parks and covenant enforcement. Exceptions include East Shore ($1,800–$3,000 a year), Windsor Hills (about $275 a month) and gated communities like Carlton Woods.
- Home prices. The Woodlands spans condos to lakefront estates. The median sale price was about $540,000 in September 2025, with median rent near $2,650 a month. Prices vary widely by ZIP code, and most Woodlands-area ZIP codes saw softer prices through 2026, so ask for a current neighborhood report.
- Insurance. As anywhere on the Gulf Coast, budget for windstorm coverage and check flood-zone status and flood insurance for any home you consider.
Not tax or legal advice. Exemption amounts change; confirm current figures with your appraisal district. Sources: Texas Prop. 13 results, Township exemption, Montgomery County senior exemption.