Payne Springs, Texas
Payne Springs is a town in Henderson County, in the East Texas lake country about 46 miles west of Tyler. It sits on the eastern shore of Cedar Creek Reservoir, a large lake that draws anglers and lakeside residents to the surrounding wooded, gently rolling terrain. Like the neighboring communities strung along the reservoir, its character is shaped by the water and the recreation it supports.
Property here runs through the Henderson Central Appraisal District and the county tax office — the homestead exemption, the appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level. The Henderson County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Henderson County notes
What to know around Payne Springs
Property Tax
Two offices handle your property taxes
In Henderson County, one office sets your property value and a separate office collects your tax bill.
Property Tax Exemption
Homestead exemption lowers your school tax bill
If your home in Henderson County is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces what you owe.
Property Tax
Your tax bill combines rates from several taxing units
Property owners in Henderson County pay taxes to several different entities at once, not just the county.
Fishing
Cedar Creek Reservoir offers big-lake fishing near Athens
Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 32,000-acre lake about 15 miles west of Athens with good bass, catfish, and striper fishing.
State Park / Fishing
Purtis Creek State Park has strict bass rules and free fishing licenses
Purtis Creek State Park in Henderson County has a 355-acre lake with catch-and-release-only rules for bass and no fishing license required inside the park.
Wildlife Management Area
Cedar Creek Islands WMA gives public outdoor access
Cedar Creek Islands Wildlife Management Area on Cedar Creek Reservoir provides public fishing and wildlife watching access in Henderson County.
Nearby
Places near Payne Springs
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Van Zandt County
19 local notes · East Texas / Piney Woods
Kaufman County
21 local notes · DFW / North Texas
Navarro County
24 local notes · DFW / North Texas
Anderson County
19 local notes · East Texas / Piney Woods
Freestone County
4 local notes · East Texas / Piney Woods
Ellis County
27 local notes · DFW / North Texas
Next steps for Payne Springs
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->Henderson County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
Browse county ->Look up another place
Every Texas town and all 254 counties.
Find a place ->