Kaufman County Appraisal District

Kaufman County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, and rapid population growth has pushed property values — and tax bills — sharply upward in recent years. If you believe the Kaufman County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the legal right to protest that value, and doing so successfully can produce meaningful savings.

The protest process begins when the Kaufman County Appraisal District mails your Notice of Appraised Value. Once you receive that notice, you have until May 15 or 30 days from the date on the notice, whichever is later, to file a formal protest. Missing this deadline forfeits your right to challenge the value for that tax year, so treat it as a hard cutoff.

To initiate a protest, contact the Kaufman County Appraisal District directly at 972-932-6081. Because the district does not currently offer an online filing portal, you will need to submit your protest by mail or in person. Request a protest form (Form 50-132) or obtain one from the appraisal district office. Complete the form clearly, stating the grounds for your protest — most commonly that the appraised value exceeds the property's market value or is unequal compared to similar properties.

Once your protest is filed, you will be scheduled for an informal hearing with an appraisal district staff member. Many cases are resolved at this stage without proceeding further. Come prepared with supporting documentation: recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, a recent independent appraisal, photos documenting property condition issues, or repair estimates for any damage. The more specific and well-organized your evidence, the stronger your position.

If the informal hearing does not produce a satisfactory result, you can proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), an independent panel authorized to adjust values. You will present your evidence, the district will present theirs, and the board will render a decision.

Chief Appraiser Sarah Curtis oversees the Kaufman County Appraisal District. For questions about the process, deadlines, or your notice, call the district at 972-932-6081.

1. What is the deadline to protest my property value in Kaufman County?

You must file your protest with the Kaufman County Appraisal District by May 15 of the tax year, or within 30 days of the date printed on your Notice of Appraised Value — whichever deadline falls later. If May 15 passes before you receive your notice, the 30-day window from the notice date controls. Do not wait to act; late filings are generally not accepted, and you would lose the opportunity to challenge your value until the following year.

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

Because the Kaufman County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online protest filing option, you must submit your protest by mail or deliver it in person to the district office. Call 972-932-6081 to confirm the current mailing address, office hours, and any specific instructions for submission. Make sure your written protest clearly identifies your property and states the reason for the protest, and retain a copy for your records along with proof of delivery if mailing.

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

Kaufman County offers a General Residence Homestead exemption of $140,000 or 20% of appraised value, whichever is greater, applied against the school district portion of your tax bill. Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who qualify as disabled persons, receive an additional $200,000 exemption. Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating between 10% and 100% are eligible for a $5,000 exemption. To claim any of these exemptions, you must file an application with the Kaufman County Appraisal District, and your primary residence must be your principal place of residence as of January 1 of the tax year.

4. Why are Kaufman County property values rising so significantly?

Kaufman County has been among the fastest-growing counties in Texas, with a current population of over 160,000 residents. Proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has driven sustained demand for housing, pushing market values upward across cities like Forney, Terrell, and Kaufman. The appraisal district is required by Texas law to appraise all property at 100% of its estimated market value as of January 1 each year, meaning strong regional demand is directly reflected in assessed values — and in many homeowners' tax bills.

Because the Kaufman County Appraisal District does not offer an online filing portal, preparation and timing matter more than in counties with digital submission options. Follow these practical steps to give your protest the best chance of success.

Act immediately when your notice arrives. The protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days from your notice date. Do not set the notice aside. Mark the deadline on your calendar the day you receive it and begin gathering evidence right away.

Call the district before submitting. Reach the Kaufman County Appraisal District at 972-932-6081 to confirm the correct mailing address, current office hours, and any procedural requirements for protest submissions. Staff can also clarify what information needs to appear on your protest form to ensure it is accepted.

Build a specific evidence file. Generic objections rarely succeed. Focus on recent sales of comparable properties — homes similar in size, age, condition, and location that sold for less than your appraised value. County sales records, real estate listing data, and your own purchase price (if recent) are all relevant. If your property has physical deficiencies — foundation issues, roof damage, outdated systems — document them with photos and contractor estimates.

Request your property record card. Ask the appraisal district for the property record card used to determine your value. Errors in square footage, bedroom count, or construction quality are not uncommon and can be corrected during the informal hearing stage.

Send protest documents by certified mail. Since you cannot file online, mailing your protest with certified mail and return receipt gives you a timestamped record of delivery — important if there is ever a question about whether your filing arrived before the deadline.

Attend your hearing prepared to be concise. ARB hearings move quickly. Organize your evidence in a logical order, state your requested value clearly, and let your documentation do the work. Chief Appraiser Sarah Curtis and the district staff are accessible — if you have questions before your hearing, 972-932-6081 is your direct line.