Bastrop County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Bastrop County is located in Central Texas, approximately 30 miles east of Austin, with the city of Bastrop serving as the county seat. With an estimated population of 118,908 as of 2025, the county has experienced rapid growth of over 64% since 2010, driving up property values significantly. The effective property tax rate in Bastrop County ranges from 1.41% to 1.51%, substantially higher than the national median of 0.91% and approximately 19% higher than the Texas state average of 1.28%. The median home value is approximately $269,500, and homeowners pay a median annual property tax bill of $4,077, which is $1,677 above the national median of $2,400. This makes property tax protests particularly valuable for Bastrop County homeowners facing one of the highest tax burdens in Texas.

Notable cities: Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville

Median Home

$269,500

Tax Rate

1.51%

Annual Tax

$4,077

On the typical Bastrop County home, valued near $269,500 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.51%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you protest it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Protest Deadline: May 29, 2026, or 30 days from the date of notice, whichever is later

The protest deadline for 2026 is May 29, 2026, or 30 days from the date printed on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever date is later. If you receive your notice after April 29, you have 30 days from that date to file. Missing this deadline generally forfeits your right to challenge the value for that tax year.

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How Bastrop County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Bastrop Central Appraisal District (Bastrop CAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value as of January 1 each year according to the Texas Property Tax Code. This means your assessed value equals your market value before exemptions are applied. For example: If your home's market value is $350,000, at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $350,000. With the $140,000 homestead exemption applied, your taxable value becomes $210,000, resulting in approximately $5,285 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.51% (calculated on the taxable value after exemptions).

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing, you'll first be offered an informal conference with an appraiser where many cases settle. If unresolved, you'll receive a formal hearing notice with your scheduled date before the ARB, typically beginning after June 1st. Hearings are brief (15-30 minutes), and you'll present your evidence explaining why the value should be reduced.

Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in April or May. Compare the stated value to what you believe your home would actually sell for and identify any errors in property details.

Step 2: File your protest before the deadline (May 29, 2026, or 30 days from notice date, whichever is later) using one of the available filing methods: online portal, mail, email, or drop box. Obtain a PIN for online filing by emailing protest@bastropcad.org.

Step 3: Gather evidence to support your protest including comparable sales of similar properties, photographs showing property condition or damage, repair estimates, recent appraisals, or documentation of incorrect property characteristics in the appraisal district records.

Step 4: Attend an informal conference with a Bastrop CAD appraiser (typically conducted by phone or email). Many cases are resolved at this stage if you present strong evidence. If no agreement is reached, your case proceeds to a formal hearing.

Step 5: Present your case at a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), typically scheduled after June 1st. The ARB will review your evidence and the appraisal district's defense, then issue a binding determination.

Step 6: If you disagree with the ARB decision, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for binding arbitration (properties under $3 million) or file a judicial appeal in district court within specified deadlines.

Step 7: If dissatisfied with district court results, you may appeal to the Texas Court of Appeals and potentially the Texas Supreme Court, though most property tax disputes are resolved at the ARB or district court level.

Required form: Notice of Protest form (available online or from Bastrop CAD)

Filing Methods

online:Online through Bastrop CAD Taxpayer Portal at https://eprotest.bastropcad.org/ (requires PIN number obtained by emailing protest@bastropcad.org)

mail:Mail completed and signed form to P.O. Box 578, Bastrop, TX 78602

email:Email completed PDF form (not photo images) to protest@bastropcad.org

in-person:Drop box located on the south side of the office at 212 Jackson Street, Bastrop, TX 78602

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood from the past 6-12 monthsPhotographs documenting property condition, deferred maintenance, or damageRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed workIndependent appraisals or broker price opinionsDocumentation of incorrect property data (square footage, lot size, age, condition)Recent closing statements if you purchased the property recentlyEvidence of unequal appraisal showing similar properties assessed at lower values

Bastrop County Assessor Contact

Bastrop Central Appraisal District

Phone: 512-303-1930

Address: 212 Jackson Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 (Physical) / P.O. Box 578, Bastrop, TX 78602 (Mailing)

Website: https://bastropcad.org/

Online Portal: https://eprotest.bastropcad.org/

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in Bastrop County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 off school district taxes (increased from $100,000 in 2026); local taxing units may offer up to 20% of appraised value

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district taxes and activates the 10% annual appraisal cap on homestead properties.

Eligibility: Any Texas homeowner who owns and occupies the property as their primary residence as of January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: April 30 (late filing accepted up to 2 years after taxes become delinquent)

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 off school district taxes (stacks with general homestead for total of $200,000); plus school tax ceiling

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, includes a school tax ceiling that freezes the dollar amount of school taxes.

Eligibility: Homeowners who are 65 years or older as of January 1 of the tax year and have a homestead exemptionDeadline: April 30, but can apply anytime after turning 65

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 off school district taxes; tax ceiling on school taxes

Exemption for homeowners who qualify as disabled under Social Security Administration guidelines.

Eligibility: Homeowners certified as disabled by the Social Security Administration and occupying the home as primary residenceDeadline: April 30

Disabled Veteran Exemption

10-29% rating: $5,000; 30-49%: $7,500; 50-69%: $10,000; 70-100%: $12,000; 100% or unemployable: 100% exempt from property taxes on homestead

Exemption based on the veteran's disability rating from the VA.

Eligibility: Disabled veterans with a VA disability rating and surviving spouses of qualifying veteransDeadline: April 30

Bastrop County Protest Statistics

Avg Reduction

$1,374

Bastrop County Protest Packet — $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Bastrop County for 2026?

The deadline to file a property tax protest in Bastrop County is May 29, 2026, or 30 days from the date printed on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever date is later. For example, if you receive your notice on May 15, 2026, you would have until June 14, 2026 to file. The date is based on when the notice is mailed, not when you receive it, so it's important to act quickly upon receiving your appraisal notice. Missing this deadline typically means you forfeit your right to challenge your property value for that tax year, so mark your calendar immediately when you receive your notice.

How do I file a property tax protest online in Bastrop County?

To file your Bastrop County property tax protest online, you must first obtain a PIN number by submitting a written request to protest@bastropcad.org. Bastrop CAD does not provide PIN numbers over the phone. Once you receive your PIN, visit the Bastrop CAD Taxpayer Portal at https://eprotest.bastropcad.org/ to log in and file your protest electronically. If you prefer not to file online, you can alternatively mail a completed protest form to P.O. Box 578, Bastrop, TX 78602, email a PDF (not photo images) to protest@bastropcad.org, or use the drop box on the south side of the CAD office at 212 Jackson Street in Bastrop.

How much can the homestead exemption save me in Bastrop County?

In Bastrop County, the homestead exemption saves homeowners a minimum of $140,000 off their school district taxable value, which translates to approximately $1,400 to $1,650 in annual school tax savings depending on your school district's tax rate. Local taxing entities like the county and city may offer additional exemptions of up to 20% of your home's value, bringing total savings to $2,000-$4,500 per year for most homeowners. For a home valued at $350,000 with the full exemption package, you could save $3,000 or more annually. Seniors age 65 and older receive an additional $60,000 school district exemption plus a tax ceiling that freezes school taxes, creating even greater long-term savings as property values rise.

What happens at an ARB hearing in Bastrop County?

At a Bastrop County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing, you'll have approximately 15-30 minutes to present your case to a panel of board members who are independent from the appraisal district. You'll explain why you believe your property value is too high and present your evidence, such as comparable sales, photos of property condition, or repair estimates. The appraisal district representative will then present their defense of the assessed value. The ARB panel will ask questions, review all evidence, and issue a binding determination that may uphold, reduce, or in rare cases increase your property value. ARB hearings in Bastrop typically begin scheduling after June 1st, and you'll receive advance notice of your hearing date and time.

How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Bastrop County?

Successful property tax protests in Bastrop County save homeowners an average of $1,374 per year according to available data. However, individual savings vary widely based on your property's appraised value, how much it's overvalued, and the strength of your evidence. For example, reducing your home's appraised value from $350,000 to $320,000 (an $30,000 reduction) would save approximately $453 annually at Bastrop County's 1.51% effective tax rate. Properties experiencing the largest appraisal increases or new construction often see the greatest potential for reductions. Given Bastrop County's rapid growth and above-average tax rates, even a modest value reduction can result in significant long-term savings, especially if you maintain the lower value in subsequent years.

What evidence do I need for a successful property tax protest in Bastrop County?

The most effective evidence for a Bastrop County property tax protest includes comparable sales (MLS listings or closed sales) of similar homes in your neighborhood that sold for less than your appraised value within the past 6-12 months. You should also gather photographs documenting any property damage, deferred maintenance, or condition issues that reduce your home's value compared to the appraisal district's assumptions. Repair estimates from licensed contractors, recent appraisals or broker price opinions, and documentation of incorrect property data (wrong square footage, lot size, or features) are also valuable. If you recently purchased your home, bring your closing statement showing the actual sale price. For unequal appraisal protests, provide evidence showing similar properties in your area assessed at lower values per square foot than yours.

Can I protest my Bastrop County property taxes if I just bought my home?

Yes, you can and should protest your Bastrop County property taxes even if you recently purchased your home, especially if the appraisal district valued it significantly higher than your purchase price. Your recent closing statement is powerful evidence of market value since it represents an arm's-length transaction between a willing buyer and seller. However, the appraisal district may argue that market conditions have changed since your purchase, particularly in a rapidly appreciating market like Bastrop County. To strengthen your case, supplement your closing statement with comparable sales of similar homes that occurred around the same time or after your purchase. New homeowners should also verify that all property details in the appraisal records are correct and file for the homestead exemption by April 30 to maximize tax savings.

Does Bastrop County offer an informal review before the formal ARB hearing?

Yes, Bastrop County offers an informal conference with an appraisal district appraiser before your case proceeds to a formal ARB hearing. This informal review is typically conducted by phone or email and provides an opportunity to present your evidence and negotiate a settlement without going through a formal hearing. Many property tax protests in Bastrop County are successfully resolved at this informal stage, saving time for both the property owner and the appraisal district. If you and the appraiser cannot reach an agreement during the informal conference, your protest will automatically be scheduled for a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board. You can withdraw your protest at any time if you're satisfied with the informal conference results.

Official Resources

Bastrop Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Official CAD website for property search, exemption applications, protest forms, and appraisal district contact information.

Bastrop CAD Online Taxpayer Portal →

Online portal for filing property tax protests electronically and viewing your property details and communications from the district.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Assistance →

State of Texas official resource for property tax laws, exemption information, protest procedures, and taxpayer rights.

Bastrop County Tax Office →

County tax office for property tax payments, tax bills, receipts, and delinquent tax information (separate from the appraisal district).

For state-wide protest information including Texas's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Texas Property Tax Protest Guide →

Considering professional help with your protest? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Protest Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Texas Counties

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← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://bastropcad.org/ | https://county-cad.org/bastrop-county-cad/ | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/texas/bastrop-county/ | https://bastropcc.com/blog/property-taxes-2026/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastrop_County,_Texas

Last verified: 2026-07-22