Scurry County Appraisal District

If you believe the Scurry County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the legal right to protest that valuation. Understanding the process before your deadline arrives gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.

Know Your Deadline

Your protest must be filed by May 15 or within 30 days of the date printed on your appraisal notice — whichever is later. Missing this window forfeits your right to challenge the current year's value, so treat the notice date as a hard deadline the moment it arrives.

Contact the Appraisal District

The Scurry County Appraisal District handles all appraisal and protest matters for the county. You can reach them directly at 325-573-8549 or visit their website at http://www.scurrytex.com/ for additional information. Beverly Silen serves as Interim Chief Appraiser. If you have questions about your notice, your property record, or the protest procedure, calling the district before filing is a reasonable first step.

File Your Protest

Because no online filing portal is currently available through the Scurry County Appraisal District, protests must be submitted by mail or in person. Use the protest form included with your appraisal notice, or request one directly from the district. Make sure your submission clearly identifies your property, states the basis for your protest — typically unequal appraisal or market value in excess of actual value — and is delivered before the deadline.

Prepare Your Evidence

The Appraisal Review Board weighs evidence, not arguments. Gather documentation that supports a lower value: recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, a licensed appraisal, repair estimates for physical deficiencies, or photographs of conditions that affect marketability. Organize this material clearly so it can be presented efficiently during your hearing.

The Hearing

After filing, you will receive a scheduled hearing date before the Appraisal Review Board, an independent panel that reviews protests. Both you and the appraisal district will present evidence. The board issues a binding determination, though further appeal options exist if the result is unsatisfactory.

Acting promptly and arriving prepared with solid comparable data are the two factors most within your control.

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

The deadline to file a property tax protest with the Scurry County Appraisal District is May 15, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed — whichever date falls later. The notice date controls if it pushes the deadline past May 15, so read your notice carefully and do not assume the standard date applies to your situation.

2. How do I file a protest in Scurry County?

The Scurry County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing portal. Protests must be submitted in person or by mail. A protest form is typically included with your appraisal notice. You can also contact the district at 325-573-8549 or visit http://www.scurrytex.com/ to request a form or clarify submission requirements. File as early as possible to avoid last-minute complications.

3. What homestead exemptions are available in Scurry County?

Scurry County offers a General Residence Homestead exemption of $140,000 or 20% — whichever is greater — reducing the taxable value of your primary residence. 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 reduce your annual tax burden and are worth verifying if you have not already applied.

4. What should I bring to my Appraisal Review Board hearing?

The Appraisal Review Board makes decisions based on evidence, so documentation is essential. Bring printed records of comparable property sales in your area, any independent appraisal you have obtained, photographs showing the condition of your property, and any repair estimates relevant to its value. Verbal arguments alone carry little weight. Organized, factual evidence tied directly to your property's market value gives you the strongest foundation for a reduced appraisal.

Filing a protest with the Scurry County Appraisal District requires advance preparation, particularly because no online submission option is currently available. Here is how to approach the process efficiently.

Start with your appraisal notice. The notice contains your property's appraised value, the mailing date, and the applicable protest deadline. Confirm whether your deadline is May 15 or 30 days from the notice date — do not assume.

Request forms early. Since online filing is not available, contact the Scurry County Appraisal District at 325-573-8549 or check http://www.scurrytex.com/ to confirm the correct protest form and mailing address. Submitting an incomplete or incorrect form can delay your case.

Send written protests by certified mail. If mailing your protest, use certified mail with return receipt requested. This creates a delivery record that protects you if a dispute arises over whether your protest was filed on time.

Pull your property record before the hearing. The appraisal district maintains a property detail card with the characteristics used to calculate your value — square footage, year built, condition rating, and comparable properties. Request this record and check it for errors. An incorrect bedroom count or overstated square footage can inflate your appraised value without any basis in fact.

Gather neighborhood sales data. Look for arm's-length sales of similar properties that closed within the prior 12 months. Properties with the same general size, age, and condition in comparable locations are the most persuasive evidence. County deed records and public real estate databases can help you identify these sales.

Verify your exemptions are on file. If you qualify for the General Residence Homestead, Over-65, Disabled Person, or Disabled Veteran exemptions, confirm with the district that your application is active before your hearing. An unapplied exemption can be corrected separately from the protest but should not be overlooked.

Preparation done before the filing deadline is almost always more effective than scrambling after the notice arrives.