Bell County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob Hartley·Updated February 23, 2026

Bell County is located in Central Texas with Belton as its county seat. The county's major population centers include Killeen (the largest city), Temple, Harker Heights, and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), which significantly influences the local economy. With a population approaching 411,000 and rapid growth, property taxes are a critical concern for homeowners as the county has an effective property tax rate of 1.62%, substantially higher than the national median of 1.02%. The median annual property tax bill in Bell County is $3,358, which is $958 above the national median of $2,400, making property tax protests particularly important for residents seeking to manage their housing costs.

Notable cities: Killeen, Temple, Belton, Harker Heights, Fort Cavazos

Median Home

$246,375

Tax Rate

1.62%

Annual Tax

$3,358

Population

410,604

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value is delivered, whichever is later

The usual deadline to protest is May 15 or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever date comes later. For 2026, most homeowners will need to file by May 15, 2026, unless their notice is mailed late. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to protest for the year, though late protests may be allowed if you can demonstrate good cause beyond your control.

Property in Bell County, Texas — local tax assessment and protest guide

How Bell County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Tax Appraisal District of Bell County (Bell CAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April (by April 1 for residence homesteads, by May 1 for other properties)

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as of January 1st each year. This means there is no assessment ratio discount—your assessed value equals your appraised market value. For example, if your home's market value is $246,375 (Bell County's median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be the full $246,375. After applying the mandatory $140,000 school homestead exemption, your taxable value for school taxes would be $106,375, resulting in approximately $3,990 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.62%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, Bell CAD may offer an informal meeting with an appraiser to discuss your concerns and potentially reach a settlement. If no agreement is reached, your case advances to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, where you present evidence and the board reviews your case to issue a binding decision.

Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in April to verify the property details, including square footage, lot size, year built, and any listed improvements for accuracy.

Step 2: File your protest by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days of receiving your notice (whichever is later) using Bell CAD's online portal at https://portal.bellcad.org/, by mail to P.O. Box 390, Belton, TX 76513, or in person at any of the three Bell CAD offices.

Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales of similar properties in your area, photographs showing property condition or defects, repair estimates for any damage, and an independent appraisal if available.

Step 4: Attend an informal review meeting with a Bell CAD appraiser to discuss your concerns and negotiate a possible settlement before proceeding to a formal hearing.

Step 5: If the informal review does not resolve your protest, present your case at a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), where a panel will review your evidence and issue a written order with their decision.

Step 6: If dissatisfied with the ARB's decision, you may appeal to state district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's written order, or pursue binding arbitration or appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) depending on property type and value.

Required form: Form 50-132 (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) or written notice of disagreement

Filing Methods

online:Bell CAD Online Protest Portal at https://portal.bellcad.org/ (preferred method, requires PIN from appraisal notice)

mail:P.O. Box 390, Belton, TX 76513

in-person:Belton Office: 411 E. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513; Killeen Office: 301 Priest Dr., Killeen, TX 76541; Temple Office: 205 E. Central Ave., Temple, TX 76501

email:customerservice@bellcad.org

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar propertiesProperty photographs showing condition or defectsIndependent appraisal reportRepair estimates for damage or needed improvementsDocumentation of property record errors

Bell County Assessor Contact

Tax Appraisal District of Bell County (Bell CAD)

Phone: 254-939-5841

Address: P.O. Box 390, Belton, TX 76513 (Belton Office: 411 E. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513)

Website: https://bellcad.org

Online Portal: https://portal.bellcad.org/

Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

Tax Exemptions in Bell County

Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 off school district taxable value (2026)

Mandatory school district exemption for primary residences that reduces the taxable value for school taxes.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1st of the tax yearDeadline: April 30 (late filing options may be available)

Age 65 or Older Exemption

Additional $60,000 school tax exemption (stacks with homestead for $200,000 total school exemption)

Additional school tax exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, plus a tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at the amount paid when you qualified.

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older and qualify for homestead exemption on your primary residenceDeadline: April 30 (late filing options may be available)

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 school tax exemption (stacks with homestead for $200,000 total school exemption)

Exemption for homeowners with a disability as defined by Social Security Administration, includes a tax ceiling that freezes school taxes.

Eligibility: Must meet Social Security Administration definition of disabled and qualify for homestead exemptionDeadline: April 30 (late filing options may be available)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

Total exemption from all property taxes

Complete property tax exemption for qualifying veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA or their branch of service.

Eligibility: Must be 100% disabled veteran with current VA award letter, or surviving spouse who has not remarriedDeadline: April 30 (late filing options may be available)

Partial Disabled Veteran Exemption

Ranges from $12,000 (for 70% or below disability) to higher amounts based on disability percentage

Exemption amounts based on VA disability rating percentage for veterans with disability ratings below 100%.

Eligibility: Must be disabled veteran with current VA award letter showing disability ratingDeadline: April 30 (late filing options may be available)

Official Resources

Bell County Appraisal District Official Website →

Official Bell CAD website with property search, exemption applications, forms, and comprehensive property tax information.

Bell CAD Online Protest Portal →

Secure online portal for filing property tax protests, managing applications, and accessing your property documents electronically.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Protest Guide →

Official state resource explaining protest procedures, deadlines, forms, and property owner rights under Texas property tax law.

Bell CAD Property Search Tool →

Online property search tool to look up property values, view tax statements, pay taxes, and access detailed property records for any Bell County property.

Bell County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

82% at ARB hearings, 99% at informal hearings

Avg Reduction

$814

% Who Protest

15% (as of 2023)

Check Your Bell County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Bell County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The deadline to file your Bell County property tax protest for 2026 is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed to you, whichever date is later. Most homeowners receive their appraisal notices in April, so the May 15th deadline typically applies. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to protest your property value for the entire tax year, though late protests may be accepted if you can prove good cause beyond your control, such as a medical emergency. It's critical to file early so you have time for both an informal review and, if necessary, a formal ARB hearing.

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

You can file your Bell County property tax protest online through the Bell CAD Taxpayer Portal at https://portal.bellcad.org/. To access the system, you'll need the PIN number found on page 1 of your Notice of Appraised Value, and you'll create a username and password if it's your first time using the portal. The online system is the preferred filing method because it allows for faster processing, easier evidence uploads, and immediate confirmation of your filing. You can also attach supporting documents like comparable sales, photographs, and appraisals directly through the portal. Bell CAD recommends filing online to avoid delays or processing errors that can occur with mail or in-person submissions, especially as the May 15th deadline approaches.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Bell County for 2026?

In Bell County for 2026, the mandatory school district homestead exemption is $140,000 off your home's taxable value for school taxes. This exemption alone can save eligible homeowners over $2,200 annually depending on school district tax rates. If you're age 65 or older, or disabled, you receive an additional $60,000 school exemption, bringing your total school exemption to $200,000, which can result in savings of $3,200 or more per year. Local taxing entities like cities and counties may also offer optional homestead exemptions on top of the state-mandated amount. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1st, and you must file an application with Bell CAD by April 30th (though late filing options may be available).

What happens at an ARB hearing in Bell County?

At a Bell County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing, you'll present your case to a panel of independent board members who will review the evidence and decide whether your property value should be reduced. The hearing is formal but designed to be accessible to property owners without legal representation. You'll have an opportunity to present your evidence, which may include comparable sales data, photographs of your property showing condition issues, repair estimates, or an independent appraisal. The Bell CAD appraiser will also present their evidence supporting the assessed value. The ARB panel will ask questions, review all submitted materials, and then issue a written decision by email or certified mail. In Bell County, 82% of property owners who proceed to ARB hearings receive some reduction in their assessed value, with informal hearings having an even higher 99% success rate.

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

Bell County property owners who successfully protest save an average of $814 per property per year based on 2023 data. However, individual savings vary significantly depending on your property's assessed value and the strength of your evidence. Many homeowners see reductions ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 annually, particularly if their property was significantly overvalued. Over a ten-year period, even a modest $800 annual reduction translates to $8,000 in savings. In 2023, Bell County property owners collectively saved $41 million through protests, with $22.21 million saved through ARB and informal hearings alone. About 82% of property owners who attend ARB hearings receive some reduction, and 99% of those who participate in informal hearings achieve favorable outcomes. Given Bell County's effective tax rate of 1.62%, even a $10,000 reduction in assessed value can save approximately $162 per year.

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

To build a strong Bell County property tax protest, you need recent comparable sales data showing similar properties in your area that sold for less than your assessed value, adjusted for differences like square footage, condition, and features. Photographs documenting property condition issues, deferred maintenance, foundation problems, or outdated features are crucial visual evidence. Repair estimates from licensed contractors for necessary work like roof replacement, HVAC repairs, or structural issues help demonstrate reduced market value. An independent appraisal from a licensed Texas appraiser provides professional third-party validation of your property's true market value. You should also verify that Bell CAD's property records are accurate regarding square footage, lot size, year built, and features—even small errors in these details can inflate your assessed value. Bell CAD appraisers use comparable sales extensively, so providing 3-5 truly comparable properties that recently sold for less than your assessed value is typically the most persuasive evidence.

Can I protest my Bell County property taxes every year?

Yes, Texas law allows you to protest your Bell County property taxes every single year, and you should consider doing so annually, especially in a rapidly appreciating market like Bell County. Approximately 15% of Bell County property owners filed protests in 2023, and that percentage has been steadily increasing since 2021 when only 10% protested. The appraisal district cannot raise your value simply because you protested, so there is no penalty for filing annually. In fact, protesting regularly helps ensure your assessed value stays accurate and fair, particularly since Bell CAD uses mass appraisal methods that may not capture your property's unique characteristics or condition issues. Many successful property owners protest every year as a standard practice, and professional representation firms often handle this automatically for their clients. Given that 82% of ARB hearings and 99% of informal reviews result in reductions, annual protests are a proven strategy for managing your property tax burden over time.

What are the Bell County appraisal district office locations and hours?

The Tax Appraisal District of Bell County (Bell CAD) operates three convenient office locations throughout the county. The main Belton office is located at 411 E. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513 (mailing address: P.O. Box 390, Belton, TX 76513) and can be reached at 254-939-5841. The Killeen office is at 301 Priest Dr., Killeen, TX 76541 (phone: 254-634-9752), and the Temple office is at 205 E. Central Ave., Temple, TX 76501 (phone: 254-771-1108). All three offices are open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Belton office also offers a 24/7 drop box for after-hours payments and document submissions. You can file exemption applications, protest forms, and conduct property tax business at any of the three locations, and all correspondence should be mailed to the central P.O. Box address in Belton.

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

Bexar County (San Antonio)Brazoria County (Pearland)Brazos County (Bryan)Cameron County (Brownsville)Collin County (McKinney)Comal County (New Braunfels)

← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://bellcad.org | https://lrgrealty.com/lrg-blog/bell-county-property-taxes-2026 | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/bell-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/protests/index.php | https://www.poconnor.com/bell-county/

Last verified: 2026-02-23