Collingsworth County Appraisal District

If you believe the Collingsworth County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the legal right to challenge that assessment through a formal protest. Understanding the process is the first step toward a potentially lower tax bill.

Know Your Deadline

The protest deadline in Collingsworth County is May 15, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed — whichever is later. Missing this window forecloses your right to protest for that tax year, so act promptly once your notice arrives.

File Your Protest

Collingsworth County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing portal. That means you will need to submit your protest by mail or in person. Contact the district directly at 806-447-5172 or visit their website at http://www.collingsworthcad.org to obtain the correct protest form (Form 50-132) and confirm current submission procedures with Chief Appraiser Brittany Jameson's office.

Prepare Your Evidence

A protest without supporting documentation rarely succeeds. Gather evidence that demonstrates the appraisal district's assessed value exceeds your property's actual market value. Useful materials include:

• A recent independent appraisal
• Comparable sales data for similar properties in the area
• Photographs documenting physical defects or deterioration
• Repair estimates for structural or functional issues
• Any closing documents if you purchased the property recently at a price below the assessed value

The Appraisal Review Board Hearing

Once your protest is filed, you may be offered an informal meeting with an appraiser before a formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing is scheduled. Take advantage of the informal meeting — many protests are resolved at this stage. If no agreement is reached, you will present your case before the ARB, an independent panel that has authority to adjust the appraised value. Bring organized, clearly labeled evidence and be prepared to explain your position concisely.

After the Hearing

If the ARB's decision still does not reflect a fair value, you have additional options including binding arbitration or district court appeal. For most residential property owners in a rural county like Collingsworth, arbitration is often the more practical and cost-effective route.

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

The deadline to file a protest with the Collingsworth County Appraisal District is May 15 of the tax year, or 30 days after the date printed on your appraisal notice — whichever date falls later. If you did not receive a notice but believe your value changed, you may still have grounds to protest. Contact the appraisal district at 806-447-5172 to verify your specific deadline and confirm your current assessed value.

2. How do I file a property tax protest in Collingsworth County?

Because the Collingsworth County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing portal, protests must be submitted by mail or delivered in person to the district office. You can find contact details and office information at http://www.collingsworthcad.org. Make sure your written protest is postmarked or received before the applicable deadline, and keep a copy of everything you submit for your own records.

3. What homestead exemptions are available to Collingsworth County residents?

Collingsworth County property owners who occupy their home as a primary residence can apply for a General Residence Homestead exemption. The exemption is structured as $140,000 or 20% of the appraised value, whichever is greater, applied against school district taxes. Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who qualify as a disabled person, 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 value, so it is worth confirming with the appraisal district that all applicable exemptions are already reflected on your account.

4. Does Collingsworth County have an agricultural land valuation option?

Yes. Texas law allows qualifying agricultural land to be appraised based on its productive capacity rather than its market value under the 1-d-1 open-space designation. For landowners in Collingsworth County — where ranching and farming are central to the local economy — this valuation method can result in a significantly lower assessed value compared to market-based appraisal. Contact the Collingsworth County Appraisal District at 806-447-5172 to learn about eligibility requirements and application deadlines for agricultural use appraisal.

Filing a property tax protest in a smaller rural county like Collingsworth requires a bit more preparation than in larger metro areas, largely because all communication with the appraisal district happens by phone, mail, or in-person visit rather than through a digital portal.

Call Before You File

Before submitting anything, call the Collingsworth County Appraisal District at 806-447-5172 to confirm current office hours, the exact mailing address, and any procedural updates for the current tax year. Chief Appraiser Brittany Jameson's office can also clarify whether an informal review is available before a formal ARB hearing is scheduled.

Use Certified Mail

Since there is no online filing option, send your protest form via certified mail with return receipt requested. This gives you documented proof of the postmark date — critical if your deadline falls close to May 15 or within the 30-day notice window.

Organize Your Evidence in Advance

Appraisal Review Board hearings move quickly. Prepare a concise packet with your evidence organized in the order you plan to present it. Label each document clearly and bring multiple copies — one for the board, one for the appraiser, and one for yourself.

Check Your Exemptions First

Before protesting the value itself, verify that all exemptions you qualify for — particularly the homestead, over-65, or disabled veteran exemptions — are already applied to your account. An unapplied exemption can sometimes reduce your tax burden more effectively than a value protest alone.

Keep Records of Everything

Retain copies of your protest form, all correspondence with the appraisal district, and any evidence you submit. If your case proceeds beyond the ARB to arbitration or court, this documentation will be essential. Visit http://www.collingsworthcad.org for forms and additional district information.