Van Alstyne, Texas
Van Alstyne is a small city in North Texas, about 16 miles north of McKinney along the U.S. Highway 75 corridor. It lies in the Blackland Prairie, a belt of rich farmland north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area that has increasingly drawn suburban and exurban growth. The town developed as a stop on the railroad running north toward the Red River.
Property here runs through the Collin 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 Collin County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Collin County notes
What to know around Van Alstyne
Property Tax Relief
How the Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Property Tax Bill
If you own and live in your home in Collin County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that removes part of your home's value from the tax calculation.
Property Tax Basics
Two Offices Handle Property Taxes in Collin County
Two separate offices deal with your property taxes. One sets your home's value. The other sends your bill and collects payment.
Agricultural Appraisal
Land Used for Farming Can Be Taxed at a Much Lower Rate
Texas law lets land used for farming be taxed on its farming value, not its full market value. This can sharply lower the tax bill.
Special Districts
Many New Subdivisions Have an Extra Tax Line for a MUD or PID
Many new neighborhoods in Collin County have an extra charge on top of regular property taxes. It pays for water lines, roads, and parks built by the developer.
Flood Risk
FEMA Updated Flood Maps for Parts of Collin County
FEMA has issued preliminary updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for several Collin County cities and unincorporated areas — check whether your property's flood zone changed.
Land Use
Unincorporated Collin County Has Almost No Zoning Rules
Collin County does not zone most unincorporated land. But you still need permits to build, and city rules can apply if you are near a city limit.
Nearby
Places near Van Alstyne
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Van Alstyne
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->Collin County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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