Webb County Appraisal District

Protesting your property tax appraisal in Webb County is a legal right, and exercising it can result in meaningful savings — particularly given the combined tax burden residents face from both the City of Laredo (0.5076 per $100 valuation) and United ISD (0.7252 per $100 valuation). Understanding the process administered by the Webb County Appraisal District is the first step toward challenging an appraisal you believe is inaccurate.

Step 1: Review Your Notice of Appraised Value

The Webb County Appraisal District mails notices of appraised value each spring. When you receive yours, compare the assessed value against recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood. Webb County encompasses the city of Laredo and surrounding communities along the U.S.-Mexico border, where real estate market dynamics can differ significantly from other Texas metros. Local factors — including cross-border economic activity, neighborhood-by-neighborhood variation, and the pace of commercial versus residential development — can all affect whether the CAD's valuation accurately reflects market reality.

Step 2: File Your Protest Before the Deadline

The protest deadline in Webb County is May 15 or 30 days after the date your notice of appraised value was mailed, whichever is later. Missing this deadline almost always means forfeiting your right to protest for that tax year, so act promptly. The Webb County Appraisal District does not currently offer an online filing portal, so you must file your protest by mail or in person. Contact the CAD directly at 956-718-4091 or visit their website at webbcad.org to confirm the current preferred submission method and to obtain the appropriate protest form (Form 50-132).

Step 3: Gather Your Evidence

Your protest will be evaluated based on the evidence you present. Useful documentation includes:

• Recent sales prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood (pulled from public records or real estate listing sites)
• A recent independent appraisal of your property
• Photographs documenting physical defects, deferred maintenance, or damage that the CAD may not have accounted for
• Documentation of any conditions that make your property less desirable or functional than comparable properties
• Any prior appraisal notices showing inconsistent year-over-year valuation jumps

Because no online filing portal is available, organizing your evidence into a clear, printed packet is especially important for in-person or mailed submissions.

Step 4: Attend the Informal Hearing

Before your case goes to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), the Webb County Appraisal District typically offers an informal meeting with a staff appraiser. This is your first opportunity to present your evidence and negotiate a settlement. Many protests are resolved at this stage without needing a formal hearing. Be professional, concise, and focused on market data rather than your tax bill amount — appraisers evaluate market value, not affordability.

Step 5: Proceed to the ARB if Necessary

If you cannot reach an agreement at the informal level, your case will be scheduled before the Webb County Appraisal Review Board. The ARB is an independent panel that hears evidence from both you and the CAD. You will be notified of your hearing date and time. Arrive early, bring multiple printed copies of your evidence, and present your case clearly and factually. The ARB issues a written order following the hearing.

Step 6: Further Appeal Options

If you disagree with the ARB's determination, you may pursue further appeal through district court, binding arbitration, or — for certain property types — the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). These options involve additional costs and timelines, so weigh them carefully against the potential tax savings.

Given the combined city and school district tax rates in Webb County, even a modest reduction in your appraised value can translate into hundreds of dollars in annual savings. The process requires preparation and follow-through, but it is accessible to any property owner willing to invest the time.

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

The deadline to file a property tax protest with the Webb County Appraisal District is May 15, or 30 days after the date printed on your notice of appraised value, whichever date falls later. If you do not receive a notice but believe your property was reappraised, you still have the right to protest — contact the CAD at 956-718-4091 to confirm your options. Missing the deadline typically eliminates your right to protest for that tax year.

2. Does Webb County Appraisal District offer online protest filing?

No. As of the current information available, the Webb County Appraisal District does not offer an online filing portal for protests. Homeowners must file by mail or in person. Contact the CAD at 956-718-4091 or visit webbcad.org for the most current instructions on where and how to submit your protest form. Given this limitation, it is especially important to file early and confirm receipt of your submission.

3. What exemptions are available to homeowners in Webb County?

Webb County offers several exemptions that can reduce your taxable property value. The General Residence Homestead exemption provides either $140,000 off your appraised value or a 20% reduction, whichever is greater. 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% qualify for a $5,000 exemption. To claim any exemption, you must file an application with the Webb County Appraisal District and provide supporting documentation.

4. What are the current tax rates affecting Laredo homeowners?

Property owners within the City of Laredo pay a city tax rate of 0.5076 per $100 of appraised value. Those in the United ISD attendance zone pay an additional school district rate of 0.7252 per $100. Combined with any applicable county and special district rates, the total effective tax rate for many Webb County homeowners is substantial. A home appraised at $200,000, for example, would face over $2,400 in city and school taxes alone before exemptions are applied — making accurate appraisals and proper exemption filings financially significant.

5. How does the Over-65 exemption work in Webb County, and does it freeze my taxes?

Homeowners who are 65 or older qualify for a $200,000 exemption from their appraised value for applicable taxing units. In Texas, the Over-65 exemption also triggers a school district tax ceiling, which freezes the dollar amount of school taxes you owe on your homestead — meaning that even if the tax rate or appraised value increases, your school taxes cannot exceed the amount you paid in the first year the ceiling applied. This ceiling is a significant financial protection for senior homeowners in Webb County given the area's United ISD tax rate.

6. Who is the Chief Appraiser for the Webb County Appraisal District?

The Chief Appraiser for the Webb County Appraisal District is Bobby Peregoy. The CAD is responsible for appraising all taxable property within Webb County for ad valorem tax purposes. The CAD does not set tax rates — that authority rests with individual taxing units such as the City of Laredo and United ISD. For appraisal-related questions, contact the CAD at 956-718-4091 or webbcad.org.

7. What happens at an Appraisal Review Board hearing in Webb County?

The Webb County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) is an independent panel that hears unresolved property tax protests. At your hearing, both you and a representative from the Webb County Appraisal District will present evidence regarding the property's value. The ARB weighs that evidence and issues a written order. You are not required to have legal representation, but you must present factual, market-based evidence — not arguments about tax affordability. Hearings are typically scheduled within a few weeks of the protest filing deadline.

8. Can I protest my property taxes even if I did not receive a notice of appraised value?

Yes. Under Texas law, failure to receive a notice does not eliminate your right to protest, provided you act within the applicable deadline. If you believe your property was reappraised or if you discover a change in your appraised value without having received written notice, contact the Webb County Appraisal District promptly to confirm your status and filing window. This situation is not uncommon, and the CAD can advise you on how to proceed.

Because the Webb County Appraisal District does not offer an online protest filing portal, every step of your submission requires more deliberate preparation than in counties with digital filing options. The following tips are tailored to the realities of filing in Webb County.

File by Mail or In Person — and Confirm Receipt

Without an online portal, your protest form must be delivered physically. If mailing, use certified mail with return receipt so you have documented proof of timely filing. If delivering in person to the CAD office, ask for a date-stamped copy of your protest form. Either method creates a paper trail that protects you if any question arises about whether your protest was received before the May 15 deadline.

Prepare a Organized Evidence Packet

Bring or mail a clearly organized packet of supporting documents. Appraisers and ARB members review many cases — a well-organized submission stands out. Include a cover page summarizing your argument, followed by comparable sales data, photographs of your property's condition, and any independent appraisal or repair estimates. Comparable sales should be from properties similar in size, age, and condition within your neighborhood or a closely comparable area of Laredo, ideally sold within the 12 months prior to January 1 of the tax year in question.

Account for Laredo's Unique Market Characteristics

Webb County's real estate market is shaped by its location as a major U.S.-Mexico border trade hub. Property values in Laredo can vary considerably by proximity to commercial corridors, international bridges, and industrial activity. When selecting comparable sales, be precise about neighborhood boundaries — a home two miles away in a different part of Laredo may not be a valid comparable if the market conditions differ. Local MLS data, Webb County deed records, and the CAD's own comparable sales database (accessible through their website) are all useful starting points.

Request the CAD's Evidence Before Your Informal Hearing

You have the right to request the appraisal district's evidence package before your hearing. This typically includes the property record card, the CAD's comparable sales, and the methodology used to arrive at your appraised value. Reviewing this material in advance allows you to identify weaknesses in the CAD's analysis and prepare targeted counterarguments. Contact the Webb County Appraisal District at 956-718-4091 to ask about their evidence request process.

Apply for All Exemptions You Qualify For

Before focusing on a protest, verify that all applicable exemptions are already on file. If you have not yet applied for the General Residence Homestead exemption, the Over-65 exemption, or the Disabled Person exemption, doing so may reduce your tax burden more efficiently than a protest alone. Exemption applications must also be submitted to the CAD and are separate from the protest process. A homestead exemption providing $140,000 off your appraised value — or 20%, whichever is greater — represents meaningful savings at Webb County's combined tax rates.

Be Ready for the ARB if the Informal Hearing Doesn't Resolve Your Case

If the informal meeting with a CAD appraiser does not produce an acceptable settlement, your case proceeds to the ARB. Prepare a second, complete copy of your evidence packet for the formal hearing. Present your case calmly, focus on market data, and be specific about the value you believe is correct and why. The ARB is an independent body — approach the hearing as an opportunity to make a factual, evidence-based argument rather than an appeal for sympathy.