Burnet County Appraisal District

If you believe the Burnet County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the right to formally protest that value. Understanding the process and acting within the required timeframe is essential to a successful outcome.

Know Your Deadline

The protest deadline in Burnet County is May 15, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed — whichever is later. Missing this deadline typically forfeits your right to protest for that tax year, so monitor your mail carefully in the spring.

File Your Protest

To initiate a protest, contact the Burnet County Appraisal District directly. The district can be reached by phone at 512-756-8291, and their website is located at http://www.burnet-cad.org/. At this time, there is no online filing portal available for Burnet County, so protests must be submitted by mail or in person using Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest), which is available through the Texas Comptroller's office or directly from the appraisal district. The chief appraiser is Stan Hemphill.

Prepare Your Evidence

The strength of your protest depends on the evidence you bring. Useful documentation includes:

• Recent comparable sales of similar properties in your area
• A recent independent appraisal of your property
• Photos documenting physical condition issues, damage, or deferred maintenance
• Any errors in the appraisal district's property description (incorrect square footage, lot size, or features)

The Informal Hearing

After filing, you may be offered an informal meeting with an appraisal district staff member. This is an opportunity to present your evidence and potentially reach an agreement without proceeding to a formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. Many protests are resolved at this stage.

The ARB Hearing

If no agreement is reached informally, your case proceeds to the ARB — an independent panel that reviews evidence from both you and the appraisal district. You will present your case, the district will present theirs, and the board will issue a ruling.

If you disagree with the ARB's decision, further appeal options include binding arbitration, the State Office of Administrative Hearings, or district court.

Acting early, organizing your evidence, and understanding each step of the process significantly improves your chances of a favorable result.

1. What is the protest deadline for Burnet County property owners?

The deadline to file a property tax protest with the Burnet County Appraisal District is May 15 of the tax year, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed — whichever date falls later. If you do not receive a notice but believe your value has changed, you can still file before the May 15 deadline. Missing this window generally eliminates your ability to challenge that year's appraised value.

2. How do I file a protest with the Burnet County Appraisal District?

Because Burnet County does not currently offer an online protest filing portal, protests must be submitted by mail or delivered in person to the Burnet County Appraisal District. You can reach the district at 512-756-8291 or visit their website at http://www.burnet-cad.org/ for current office information and hours. Use Texas Comptroller Form 50-132 to formally initiate your protest. Filing early gives you more time to gather evidence and prepare for any hearings.

3. What homestead exemption is available to Burnet County homeowners?

Burnet County offers a General Residence Homestead exemption of $140,000 or 20% — whichever is greater — applied against the assessed value of your primary residence. Additionally, homeowners who are 65 or older, or who qualify as disabled persons, are eligible for an additional $200,000 exemption. Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating between 10% and 100% may qualify for a $5,000 exemption. These exemptions can meaningfully reduce your taxable property value, so it is worth confirming with the appraisal district that all applicable exemptions are reflected on your account.

4. What makes a strong protest case in Burnet County?

Burnet County's Hill Country location means property values can shift significantly based on waterfront access, rural acreage, and proximity to Lake Lyndon B. Johnson or Inks Lake. If your property was appraised without properly accounting for limited water access, poor road frontage, condition issues, or recent comparable sales of similar rural or lakefront properties, those factors can form the basis of a compelling protest. Bring documented evidence — not just an opinion of value — to support your position before the Appraisal Review Board.

Filing a protest with the Burnet County Appraisal District requires preparation and attention to detail. The following practical steps will help you make the most of the process.

Contact the District Early

Since there is no online filing option in Burnet County, reach out to the appraisal district as soon as you receive your Notice of Appraised Value. Call 512-756-8291 or visit http://www.burnet-cad.org/ to confirm current mailing addresses, office hours, and any updated procedures. Getting your protest filed well before the May 15 deadline allows time to gather supporting materials and request an informal review.

Document Everything in Writing

Because all filings are handled by mail or in person, keep copies of every document you submit and request written confirmation of receipt when possible. Note the date you mailed or delivered your protest form, and retain any correspondence from the district.

Build a Comparable Sales File

The most effective protests are grounded in market data. Research recent sales of properties similar to yours in Burnet County — ideally within the past 12 months and within a reasonable geographic radius. Pay attention to differences in acreage, water access, road type, and condition, as these factors carry significant weight in rural and lake-area markets common to this county.

Review Your Property Record Card

Request your property record card from the Burnet County Appraisal District before your hearing. Errors in recorded square footage, lot dimensions, improvement descriptions, or the number of bathrooms and bedrooms can directly inflate your appraised value — and corrections to factual errors are among the easiest wins in a protest.

Prepare a Clear, Organized Presentation

Whether you attend an informal meeting or a formal ARB hearing, present your evidence in a logical order. Label each exhibit, summarize your key points briefly, and let the data speak for itself. Chief Appraiser Stan Hemphill's office can answer procedural questions in advance to help you arrive prepared.