Property tax and mill rates on the real estate exam

Property tax = assessed value x tax rate. A mill is one-tenth of a cent: $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. Apply exemptions to assessed value before the rate.

Updated 2026-09-23 · 1 source · By the RealEstateExamKit team
Formula card

Assessed value = market value x assessment ratio. Tax = (assessed value - exemptions) x rate. 1 mill = 0.001, so 25 mills = 0.025.

Worked example

Market value $300,000, assessment ratio 40%, tax rate 25 mills, homestead exemption $25,000.

  1. Assessed value: $300,000 x 0.40 = $120,000
  2. Taxable value: $120,000 - $25,000 = $95,000
  3. Tax: $95,000 x 0.025 = $2,375 (without the exemption: $3,000)

Here is the trap

  • Mills vs percent. 25 mills is 2.5%, not 25%.
  • Exemption timing. Subtract it from assessed value, not from the tax bill (unless the question says it is a tax credit).
  • Rate per $100. Some questions quote “$2.50 per $100” - that is also 2.5%.

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Sources

  1. Pearson VUE - Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook (national salesperson outline, effective March 1, 2025) (accessed 2026-09-23)