Matagorda County Appraisal District

If you believe the Matagorda County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the right to protest that value — and doing so can directly reduce your tax bill. Here is how the process works.

Understand Your Notice of Appraised Value

Each spring, the Matagorda County Appraisal District mails property owners a Notice of Appraised Value. This document shows the assessed value the district has assigned to your property for the current tax year. Review it carefully. If the value seems higher than what your property would reasonably sell for, or if the property description contains errors, you have grounds to protest.

Meet the Deadline

Your protest must be filed by May 15 or within 30 days of the date your notice was mailed — whichever is later. Missing this deadline typically means forfeiting your right to protest for that tax year. Mark the date as soon as your notice arrives.

How to File

Because Matagorda County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing portal, protests must be submitted by mail or in person. Contact the district directly at 979-244-2031 or visit their website at http://www.matagorda-cad.org/ to obtain the correct protest form and confirm current submission procedures. The chief appraiser, Katharine McGee, oversees the appraisal district, and staff can answer procedural questions.

Prepare Your Evidence

A protest without supporting evidence rarely succeeds. Gather comparable sales data for similar properties in your area, a recent independent appraisal, photographs documenting property condition issues, or repair estimates for any damage affecting value. The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) — an independent panel separate from the appraisal district — will weigh your evidence against the district's records.

The Hearing

Once your protest is filed, you will receive a scheduled hearing date before the ARB. Present your evidence clearly and concisely. The board will issue a written determination after the hearing. If you disagree with the outcome, further appeal options exist through binding arbitration or district court.

Starting the process early and organizing your documentation thoroughly gives you the best chance of a favorable result.

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

The protest deadline is May 15 of the tax year or 30 days from the date printed on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. If you do not receive a notice but believe your value has changed, you can still file a protest before the deadline. Do not wait — late filings are almost always rejected, and you would lose your opportunity to challenge the appraisal for that year.

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

Since the Matagorda County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing option, you will need to file your protest by mail or deliver it in person to the district office. You can reach the district by phone at 979-244-2031 or find forms and additional information at http://www.matagorda-cad.org/. Make sure to keep a copy of your filed protest and, if mailing, consider using certified mail to confirm delivery before the deadline.

3. What homestead exemptions are available in Matagorda County?

Matagorda County offers a General Residence Homestead exemption of $140,000 or 20% — whichever is greater — reducing your property's taxable value for school district purposes. 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 lower your annual tax burden, so it is worth confirming with the appraisal district that all applicable exemptions are on file for your property.

4. What kind of evidence should I bring to an Appraisal Review Board hearing in Matagorda County?

Matagorda County's real estate market includes coastal and rural properties that can be difficult to value uniformly. Strong evidence for your hearing might include recent sales of comparable properties in your immediate area, an independent appraisal, documentation of flood zone designation or storm damage, or evidence of deferred maintenance that affects market value. The ARB responds best to factual, documented comparisons rather than general objections to tax increases. Organizing your materials in a clear, easy-to-follow format will help you make the strongest possible case.

Filing a property tax protest in Matagorda County requires attention to detail, particularly because the appraisal district does not currently offer an online submission option. These practical steps will help you navigate the process effectively.

Contact the district early. Call the Matagorda County Appraisal District at 979-244-2031 as soon as you receive your Notice of Appraised Value. Staff can confirm the current protest form, submission address, and any procedural updates for the current tax year. The district's website at http://www.matagorda-cad.org/ is also a useful starting point for forms and office hours.

Use certified mail if filing by mail. Since there is no online portal, mailing your protest is a common option. Send it via USPS certified mail with return receipt so you have documented proof of the filing date. Keep a copy of everything you submit.

Gather evidence before you file, not after. Do not wait until your hearing is scheduled to start collecting documentation. Pull recent comparable sales from public records, note any structural issues or flood-related concerns that affect your property's value, and photograph relevant conditions. Matagorda County includes coastal and agricultural land where localized factors — such as flood zone classification or soil type — can significantly influence value.

Check all exemptions on your account. When you contact the district, verify that your homestead exemption and any applicable over-65, disabled person, or disabled veteran exemptions are already reflected in your account. A missing exemption can be corrected separately from a value protest and may reduce your tax liability immediately.

Be specific in your protest grounds. When completing the protest form, clearly state whether you are challenging the market value, the equal and uniform appraisal compared to similar properties, or both. Vague protests are harder to support at a hearing. Specific, documented claims give the Appraisal Review Board a clear basis for granting a reduction.