Brown County Appraisal District

If you believe the Brown County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the right to protest that valuation. Understanding the process and acting promptly are the two most important factors in a successful protest.

Know Your Deadline

Your protest must be filed by May 15 or within 30 days of the date on your appraisal notice, whichever is later. Missing this window forfeits your right to challenge the current year's value, so treat the notice arrival date as a trigger for immediate action.

Contact the Brown County Appraisal District

The Brown County Appraisal District is located in Brownwood and can be reached by phone at 325-643-5676. Their website is http://www.brown-cad.org/. Chief Appraiser Brett McKibben oversees the district's operations. If you have questions about your notice or need clarification on your account, calling the office directly is often the fastest way to get answers.

Filing Your Protest

At this time, the Brown County Appraisal District does not offer an online filing portal. Protests must be submitted in person or by mail. Your written notice of protest should clearly identify the property in question and state the basis for your disagreement — typically that the appraised value exceeds market value or is unequal compared to similar properties.

Prepare Your Evidence

Before your hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), gather supporting documentation. Useful evidence includes recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood, a current independent appraisal, photographs documenting condition issues, repair estimates, or any factual errors in the district's property records such as incorrect square footage or lot size.

The ARB Hearing

Once your protest is filed, you will receive a scheduled hearing date with the Appraisal Review Board, an independent panel separate from the appraisal district. Present your evidence clearly and concisely. The ARB will issue a written order following the hearing. If you are unsatisfied with the result, further appeal options include binding arbitration or district court.

Acting early, organizing your evidence, and communicating directly with the Brown County Appraisal District staff gives you the strongest foundation for a successful protest.

1. What is the protest deadline for Brown County property taxes?

The deadline to file a property tax protest with the Brown County Appraisal District is May 15, or 30 days after the date printed on your appraisal notice, whichever falls later. If your notice arrives close to or after May 15, the 30-day window from the notice date controls. Do not wait — once the deadline passes, you lose the right to challenge that year's appraised value.

2. Can I file my protest online with the Brown County Appraisal District?

Currently, the Brown County Appraisal District does not offer an online protest filing portal. Protests must be submitted by mail or delivered in person to the district office in Brownwood. You can reach the office at 325-643-5676 or visit http://www.brown-cad.org/ for additional guidance on submitting your written notice of protest.

3. What homestead exemption is available in Brown County?

Brown County property owners who occupy their home as a primary residence may qualify for a General Residence Homestead exemption of $140,000 or 20%, whichever is greater, applied against the school district portion of their tax bill. Additionally, homeowners who are age 65 or older, or who qualify as a disabled person, are eligible for an additional $200,000 exemption. These exemptions can meaningfully reduce your taxable value and should be applied for as soon as you establish primary residency.

4. Are there property tax benefits available for disabled veterans in Brown County?

Yes. Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating between 10% and 100% may qualify for a $5,000 exemption on their property taxes in Brown County. The exemption amount scales based on disability rating under state law, with veterans rated at 100% eligible for a full exemption on their residence homestead. Contact the Brown County Appraisal District at 325-643-5676 to obtain the required application forms and learn what documentation is needed to establish eligibility.

Because the Brown County Appraisal District does not currently offer online protest filing, preparation and timing are especially important. Use the following practical steps to strengthen your submission.

Start with your appraisal notice. The notice contains your property's appraised value, the account number, and the date that starts your 30-day window. Keep this document and note the deadline immediately.

Submit in writing and keep a copy. Since protests must be mailed or hand-delivered, always retain a copy of your written protest notice. If mailing, use certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof of timely delivery. The protest only needs to state that you disagree with the value — you do not need to submit all your evidence at the initial filing stage.

Call the district before your hearing. The Brown County Appraisal District staff at 325-643-5676 can confirm your hearing date, clarify what comparable sales data is most relevant for your area, and answer procedural questions. In smaller counties like Brown, informal discussions with appraisal staff before a formal hearing sometimes lead to a resolution without requiring a full ARB appearance.

Gather localized comparable sales. Focus on properties similar in size, age, and condition that sold within the past 12 months in your immediate area. The appraisal district's own records, available through http://www.brown-cad.org/, can help you identify what comparable properties were assessed at, which supports an unequal appraisal argument.

Check your property record card for errors. Incorrect data — wrong square footage, extra bathrooms that don't exist, an inaccurate lot size — can inflate your value and are among the easiest errors to correct. Request your property record card from the district and review it carefully before your hearing date.