Taylor County Appraisal District

If you believe the Taylor County Appraisal District has overvalued your property, you have the right to protest that value — and doing so can directly reduce your tax bill. Understanding the process is the first step toward a successful outcome.

Know Your Deadline

The protest deadline in Taylor County is May 15, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed — whichever is later. Missing this window forfeits your right to challenge the value for that tax year, so mark the date as soon as your notice arrives.

File a Notice of Protest

To initiate a protest, you must file a Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) with the Taylor County Appraisal District. The CAD does not currently offer an online filing portal, so you will need to submit your protest by mail or in person. Contact the district directly at 325-676-9381 or visit their website at http://www.taylor-cad.org/ for current submission instructions and office hours.

Prepare Your Evidence

The strength of your protest depends on the evidence you bring. Useful documentation includes recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood, a recent independent appraisal, photos documenting property condition or defects, and any errors you have identified in the appraisal district's property records — such as incorrect square footage or the listing of improvements that don't exist. Pull the district's property data card from their website and review it carefully before your hearing.

The Informal Review

Many protests in Taylor County are resolved at an informal meeting with an appraisal district staff member before a formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing is ever scheduled. Come prepared, be specific about why the value is incorrect, and present your comparable sales or other evidence clearly. A cooperative, fact-based approach tends to produce better results than an adversarial one.

The ARB Hearing

If the informal review doesn't resolve the dispute, your case proceeds to a formal ARB hearing. The ARB is an independent panel that listens to both your argument and the district's position before rendering a decision. You may represent yourself or bring a licensed property tax consultant or attorney.

Chief Appraiser Gary Earnest oversees the Taylor County Appraisal District. For questions about your notice or the protest process, call 325-676-9381.

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

The deadline to file a property tax protest with the Taylor County Appraisal District is May 15, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed — whichever date falls later. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to contest your appraised value for that tax year. Check the date printed on your notice and act promptly, as the 30-day window can expire before May 15 in some cases.

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

Because the Taylor County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online protest filing portal, you must submit your Notice of Protest by mail or in person. Contact the district at 325-676-9381 or check http://www.taylor-cad.org/ for the current mailing address, office hours, and any updated filing procedures. Make sure your written notice clearly identifies the property and states that you are disputing the appraised value.

3. What homestead exemption is available in Taylor County?

Taylor County property owners who occupy their home as a primary residence may qualify for a General Residence Homestead exemption of $140,000 or 20% — whichever provides the greater benefit — applied against the assessed value for school district taxation purposes. Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who qualify as disabled persons, are eligible for an additional $200,000 exemption. These exemptions can meaningfully reduce the taxable value of your home, so filing promptly after you purchase and occupy a property is important.

4. What exemption is available for disabled veterans in Taylor County?

Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating between 10% and 100% may qualify for a $5,000 exemption on their property's assessed value in Taylor County. The exemption amount scales with the severity of the disability rating under Texas law, with veterans holding a 100% disability rating potentially qualifying for a full exemption on their residence homestead. Contact the Taylor County Appraisal District at 325-676-9381 to learn which documentation is required to apply.

Filing a property tax protest in Taylor County requires preparation and attention to detail. These practical tips will help you build the strongest possible case.

Contact the CAD before the deadline. Because the Taylor County Appraisal District does not offer online protest filing, reach out early. Call 325-676-9381 or visit http://www.taylor-cad.org/ to confirm the current mailing address, any required forms, and office hours. Waiting until the final days of the protest window leaves no room for error if your submission is delayed.

Review your property record card. The appraisal district maintains a record of your property's characteristics — square footage, bedroom and bathroom count, construction quality, and listed improvements. Request or download this card and check it against the actual condition of your property. Errors in these records are common and can be among the easiest grounds for a value reduction.

Gather comparable sales data. Look for recent sales of homes similar to yours in size, age, and location within Taylor County. Sales that occurred close to January 1 of the tax year are most relevant, since that is the date Texas law uses to establish appraised value. Document these sales with addresses, sale prices, and dates.

Document property condition. If your home has deferred maintenance, structural issues, or other factors that reduce its market value, photograph them before your hearing. Written repair estimates from licensed contractors add credibility to your evidence.

Be specific and organized at your hearing. Whether you attend an informal review or a formal ARB hearing, present your evidence in a clear, logical order. State the value you believe is correct and explain why, using your comparables and documentation to support that number. The Taylor County Appraisal District staff and ARB members respond better to organized, evidence-based arguments than to general complaints about taxes being too high.

For any questions about the process, contact Chief Appraiser Gary Earnest's office at 325-676-9381.