Cochran County Appraisal District

If you believe the Cochran County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the right to formally protest that value. The protest process is governed by the Texas Property Tax Code and administered locally by the Cochran County Appraisal District, led by Interim Chief Appraiser Greg Kelley.

Know Your Deadline

The protest deadline in Cochran County is May 15 or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. Missing this deadline forfeits your right to protest for that tax year, so act as soon as you receive your notice of appraised value.

How to File a Protest

Cochran County does not currently offer an online filing portal. Property owners must file their protest by contacting the Cochran County Appraisal District directly. You can reach the district by phone at 806-266-5584 or visit their website at http://www.cochrancad.com for additional guidance. You may also submit a written protest using Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest), which can be delivered in person or by mail to the appraisal district office.

What Happens After You File

Once your protest is filed, you will be scheduled for a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), an independent panel separate from the appraisal district. Before your formal hearing, the district may offer an informal review with an appraiser. Many protests are resolved at this stage without proceeding to a full ARB hearing.

Building Your Case

The strongest protests are supported by evidence. Gather recent sales of comparable properties in your area, photographs documenting any physical deficiencies, repair estimates for structural issues, or a recent independent appraisal. The ARB will weigh your evidence against the district's records, so organized and specific documentation carries more weight than general disagreement with the value.

After the ARB Hearing

If you disagree with the ARB's decision, you may appeal further through district court, binding arbitration, or the State Office of Administrative Hearings, depending on your property type and value. Understanding the local process and acting promptly within Cochran County's timeline gives you the best chance of a fair outcome.

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

The deadline to file a property tax protest with the Cochran County Appraisal District is May 15, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed — whichever date falls later. If you do not receive a notice but believe your value has changed, you can still file a protest by the standard May 15 deadline. Do not wait to see if a notice arrives; contact the appraisal district at 806-266-5584 to confirm your current appraised value and notice date.

2. How do I file a protest if there is no online portal?

Cochran County does not currently offer an online filing option. To protest your appraisal, you must submit a written notice of protest — using Texas Form 50-132 or a signed written statement expressing your intent to protest — directly to the Cochran County Appraisal District. This can be done in person at the district office or by mail. Contact the district at 806-266-5584 or check http://www.cochrancad.com for the mailing address and any updated procedures before submitting.

3. What homestead exemption is available in Cochran County?

Cochran County offers a General Residence Homestead exemption valued at $140,000 or 20% of the appraised value, whichever is greater. Additionally, homeowners who are 65 or older or who qualify as a disabled person may receive an additional exemption of $200,000. These exemptions directly reduce the taxable value of your home, which lowers the amount subject to local tax rates. To apply, file Form 50-114 with the Cochran County Appraisal District. The standard application deadline is April 30 of the tax year.

4. What exemption options are available for veterans in Cochran County?

Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating between 10% and 100% may qualify for a $5,000 property tax exemption in Cochran County. The exemption amount may be higher depending on the disability rating under the Texas Property Tax Code's tiered schedule, with 100% disabled veterans potentially qualifying for a full exemption under state law. Surviving spouses of disabled veterans may also have access to related exemption benefits. Contact the Cochran County Appraisal District at 806-266-5584 to confirm current eligibility requirements and required documentation.

Filing a property tax protest in Cochran County requires preparation and attention to timing. Because the district does not offer an online portal, every step of the process involves direct communication with the Cochran County Appraisal District. Here is how to approach it effectively.

Contact the district early. Call 806-266-5584 as soon as you receive your appraisal notice. Confirm your appraised value, ask about the informal review process, and request any documentation the district used to arrive at your value. Early contact often leads to informal resolution before a formal ARB hearing is needed.

Submit your protest in writing and keep a copy. Since filing must be done by mail or in person, send your Form 50-132 via certified mail with return receipt requested. This creates a timestamped record that your protest was filed before the May 15 deadline or within 30 days of your notice date.

Gather comparable sales data before your hearing. Search recent sales of similar properties in Cochran County — properties of comparable size, age, and condition. If the market data suggests your assessed value is higher than what similar homes have sold for, that is your strongest argument.

Document property condition thoroughly. If your property has physical problems — foundation issues, roof damage, outdated systems — photograph everything and obtain written repair estimates. The ARB responds to concrete evidence, not general claims.

Review your exemptions before protesting. Confirm that all applicable exemptions, including the General Residence Homestead exemption and any Over-65 or disabled veteran exemptions, are already applied to your account. An unapplied exemption can sometimes resolve a tax burden concern without a formal protest.

For questions about procedures or to verify the district's current mailing address, visit http://www.cochrancad.com or call the district directly at 806-266-5584.