Mills County Appraisal District

If you believe the Mills County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the right to formally protest that value. Understanding the process helps you make the most of that right.

Know Your Deadline

The protest deadline in Mills County is May 15, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed — whichever is later. Missing this window forecloses your options for the current tax year, so mark the date as soon as your notice arrives.

File a Notice of Protest

Your protest begins by filing a Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) with the Mills County Appraisal District. You can contact the district directly at 325-648-2253 or visit their website at http://www.millscad.org for forms and procedural information. Note that online filing is not currently available through the district's portal, so protests must be submitted by mail or in person.

Prepare Your Evidence

The strength of your protest depends on the evidence you bring. Useful documentation includes recent sales of comparable properties in your area, a recent independent appraisal, photographs showing property condition or damage, and any factual errors in the appraisal record — such as incorrect square footage or lot size. The appraisal district's records for your property are public and available upon request, which gives you a baseline for comparison.

The Informal Hearing

Most protests in smaller counties like Mills County are resolved at the informal review stage, where you meet with an appraiser to discuss your evidence. Chief Appraiser Michael Hall oversees the district, and staff can often address straightforward factual errors or valuation discrepancies without escalating to a formal hearing.

The Appraisal Review Board

If the informal review does not produce a satisfactory result, your protest proceeds to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), an independent panel that hears evidence from both you and the district. Present your comparable sales data clearly and concisely. The ARB issues a binding determination, though you retain the right to appeal further through binding arbitration or district court if necessary.

Acting promptly and arriving prepared with solid documentation gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.

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

The deadline to file a protest with the Mills County Appraisal District is May 15, or 30 days after the date printed on your appraisal notice — whichever date falls later. If you do not receive a notice but believe your value has changed, you can still file before the deadline. Missing the cutoff means you generally cannot challenge that year's appraised value, so treat the notice date as time-sensitive.

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

Because the Mills County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing portal, protests must be submitted by mail or delivered in person. Contact the district at 325-648-2253 or check http://www.millscad.org for the current mailing address and any updated procedures. Your written protest should clearly identify your property and state the basis for your objection — typically that the appraised value exceeds market value or that an error exists in the property record.

3. What homestead exemption is available in Mills County?

Mills County offers a General Residence Homestead exemption of $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 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. These exemptions can meaningfully reduce your taxable value, so it is worth confirming with the appraisal district that all applicable exemptions are reflected on your account.

4. Does Mills County offer an agricultural land valuation, and how does it affect my taxes?

Mills County recognizes agricultural and open-space land under the 1-d-1 productivity valuation method. Rather than taxing land based on its market value, this approach values the land according to its capacity to produce agricultural income. For qualifying rural landowners in Mills County — where ranching and farming remain central to the local economy — this distinction can result in a substantially lower taxable value compared to market-based assessment. Contact the Mills County Appraisal District at 325-648-2253 to learn about eligibility requirements and the application process.

Because the Mills County Appraisal District does not offer an online filing option, preparation and timely action matter more than in counties with digital submission portals. These practical steps will help you file effectively.

Contact the District Early

Reach out to the Mills County Appraisal District at 325-648-2253 as soon as your appraisal notice arrives. Staff can confirm your protest deadline, explain what forms you need, and tell you whether an in-person or mailed submission is preferable. Getting this information early prevents last-minute confusion.

Request Your Property Record

Ask the district for a copy of your property's appraisal card or record. Review it carefully for factual errors — incorrect living area square footage, wrong construction class, or inaccurate lot size are common mistakes that can inflate your appraised value without justification. Correcting a factual error is often the most straightforward path to a reduced value.

Gather Comparable Sales

In a rural county like Mills County, comparable sales can be harder to find than in urban areas, but they remain the most persuasive evidence at a protest hearing. Look for properties with similar acreage, improvements, and location that sold within the past 12 months. Document each sale with the address, sale price, and sale date.

Submit by Mail with Confirmation

Since paper filing is the standard method here, send your Notice of Protest by certified mail with return receipt requested. This gives you proof of submission and the exact date it was received — important if any deadline question arises later. Visit http://www.millscad.org to verify the current mailing address before sending.

Be Concise at Your Hearing

Whether you attend an informal review or a formal ARB hearing, present your evidence clearly and briefly. Focus on comparable sales and any factual errors rather than general dissatisfaction with tax levels. A focused, evidence-based presentation is far more effective than a lengthy narrative.