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Brazoria County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 23, 2026

Brazoria County is located along the Texas Gulf Coast with Angleton serving as the county seat. Major cities include Pearland, Alvin, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport, and Clute, with a population of over 370,000 residents. Property tax protests are especially important here because Brazoria County has an effective property tax rate of 1.70%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and the median annual property tax bill of $4,236 is $1,836 higher than the national median of $2,400. With rapidly rising property values and one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, protesting annually can save homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Notable cities: Pearland, Alvin, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport, Clute, Manvel, Friendswood

Median Home

$341,000

Tax Rate

1.70%

Annual Tax

$4,236

Population

370,000+

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later

The protest deadline for Brazoria County is May 15th or 30 days from the date the appraisal district mails your notice of appraised value, whichever date is later. Since notices are typically mailed by mid-April to mid-May, most homeowners have until mid-June to file. Missing this deadline means losing your right to challenge your assessment for the entire tax year.

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

How Brazoria County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Brazoria Central Appraisal District (BCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May (typically by mid-May)

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value as determined by the Brazoria Central Appraisal District. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market. Your assessed value equals your market value minus any exemptions you qualify for, such as the homestead exemption. For example, if your home's market value is $341,000 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $341,000 before exemptions. With the $140,000 school district homestead exemption, your taxable value for school taxes would be $201,000, resulting in approximately $5,797 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.70%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you may receive a settlement offer from an appraiser during an informal conference. If no agreement is reached, you'll be scheduled for a formal ARB hearing where you'll present your case to board members who will deliberate and issue a decision on your property's value.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives (typically April-May). Compare the assessed value to recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood and check for any errors in property details.

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Step 2: File your protest before the deadline—May 15, 2026 or 30 days after your notice was mailed, whichever is later. You can file online through the eProtest system at eprotest.brazoriacad.org, by mail, or in person at the appraisal district office.

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Step 3: Gather and submit evidence to support your case, including comparable sales data (recent sales of similar properties), photographs documenting property condition or defects, repair estimates for any damage, and your appraisal notice. Evidence can be uploaded through the eProtest portal or mailed to the district.

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Step 4: Request an informal conference with an appraiser on your protest form. An appraiser will review your evidence and may offer a settlement. The district receives 50,000-65,000 protests annually, so responses may take several months. If you accept a settlement offer, return it in writing to close your protest at that value.

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Step 5: If you don't reach a settlement or decline the informal offer, you'll be scheduled for a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). You'll receive notice of your hearing date by mail, certified mail, or email based on your preference. Attend your hearing and present your evidence clearly and concisely.

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Step 6: The ARB will issue a written decision. If you're not satisfied with the ARB's determination, you have additional appeal options including binding arbitration (for properties under $5 million or any homestead), judicial appeal (lawsuit in district court within 60 days), or State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) in limited cases.

Required form: Notice of Protest form or online filing through eProtest system

Filing Methods

online:File through the Brazoria Central Appraisal District eProtest portal at https://eprotest.brazoriacad.org/ - create an account, register your property using your Property ID and eFile Pin from your notice, and submit your appeal online
mail:Mail your completed Notice of Protest form to: Brazoria Central Appraisal District, 500 N. Chenango St., Angleton, TX 77515
in-person:Drop off your protest form at the appraisal district office at 500 N. Chenango St., Angleton, TX 77515 (note: dropping off does not guarantee same-day meeting with an appraiser)

Evidence to Bring

Recent sales data of comparable properties in Brazoria CountyPhotographs showing property condition, defects, or factors that lower valueProfessional appraisals or repair estimates for damagesDocumentation of property characteristics that may have been incorrectly recordedMarket analysis showing declining values in your neighborhood

Brazoria County Assessor Contact

Brazoria Central Appraisal District (BCAD)

Phone: (979) 849-7792

Address: 500 N. Chenango St., Angleton, TX 77515

Website: https://www.brazoriacad.org/

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

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (except holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Brazoria County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes (mandatory statewide as of 2026); local taxing units may offer up to 20% of appraised value (minimum $5,000); counties with farm-to-market or flood control taxes offer $3,000

The most common exemption available to homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence. This exemption reduces the taxable value of your home for school district and other taxing units.

Eligibility: You must own the property, occupy it as your primary residence as of January 1st, not claim a homestead exemption on any other property in or outside Texas, and provide a Texas driver's license or state ID with an address matching the property addressDeadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Over-65 Exemption

$10,000 additional exemption for school districts (mandatory); $60,000 additional for seniors as of 2026; local taxing units may offer additional local option exemptions (minimum $3,000); includes school tax ceiling/freeze

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older that provides extra tax savings and freezes school district taxes at a ceiling amount, protecting against future increases.

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older by January 1st of the tax year, own and occupy the property as primary residence, and meet general homestead requirements. Surviving spouses age 55+ may be eligible to continue the exemption.Deadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Disabled Person Exemption

$10,000 additional for school districts; $60,000 additional as of 2026; local taxing units may offer additional exemptions (minimum $3,000); includes school tax ceiling/freeze

Exemption for homeowners who are disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration. Provides additional tax savings and a school tax freeze similar to the over-65 exemption.

Eligibility: Must be receiving Social Security disability benefits, own and occupy the property as primary residence, and provide documentation from the Social Security Administration showing the date you became disabledDeadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Ranges from $5,000 to $12,000 based on disability percentage (10%-90%); 100% disabled veterans receive total exemption from all property taxes on their primary residence; surviving spouses of disabled veterans may also qualify

Partial or total exemption based on the veteran's disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans with a 100% disability rating receive a complete exemption from all property taxes.

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the VA, own and occupy the property as primary residence, and provide documentation of disability rating. Surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans or those killed on active duty may qualify if they have not remarried.Deadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Official Resources

Brazoria Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file protests, apply for exemptions, and find contact information for the Brazoria Central Appraisal District.

Brazoria County eProtest Online Filing Portal →

File your property tax protest online, submit evidence, and track your protest status through the official Brazoria CAD taxpayer portal.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for Texas property tax laws, exemption information, taxpayer rights, and property tax procedures.

Brazoria County Property Tax Payment Portal →

Search and pay property taxes online, access tax statements, and find payment options for Brazoria County properties.

Brazoria County Protest Statistics

% Who Protest

40-52% (district receives 50,000-65,000 protests annually out of approximately 125,000 properties)

Check Your Brazoria County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a property tax protest in Brazoria County for 2026?
The deadline to file your property tax protest in Brazoria County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the Brazoria Central Appraisal District mails your notice of appraised value, whichever date is later. Since assessment notices are typically mailed between mid-April and mid-May, most homeowners have until mid-to-late June to file their protest. Missing this deadline means you permanently lose your right to challenge your property's assessed value for the 2026 tax year, which could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. It's critical to mark your calendar as soon as you receive your notice and file early to ensure you don't miss this important deadline.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Brazoria County?
Brazoria County offers an online eProtest system that makes filing convenient and efficient. First, go to the Brazoria Central Appraisal District website at brazoriacad.org and click on the Online Protest icon, or go directly to eprotest.brazoriacad.org. Create an account by clicking 'Sign up' and setting a password with at least 10 characters including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Register your account using your Property ID and eFile Pin, which are printed on your appraisal notice. Complete the required fields including your opinion of value, select your reasons for protesting, choose your ARB hearing preferences, and click 'Submit Appeal' before the deadline. After submission, you can upload supporting evidence through the portal. Make absolutely sure you click 'Submit Appeal' or your protest will remain pending and won't be filed.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Brazoria County in 2026?
For 2026, the Texas homestead exemption has increased significantly. All school districts in Texas must provide a $140,000 exemption on your home's appraised value, up from $100,000 in previous years. Additionally, if you're age 65 or older or disabled, you receive an additional $60,000 exemption from school taxes, bringing your total school exemption to $200,000. Local taxing units in Brazoria County may also offer optional exemptions of up to 20% of your home's value (minimum $5,000). For a home valued at the county median of $341,000, the $140,000 school exemption alone saves approximately $1,600-$2,000 annually depending on your school district's tax rate. These exemptions apply automatically if you already have a homestead exemption on file, but you should verify they appear correctly on your 2026 tax statement.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Brazoria County?
Property tax protest savings in Brazoria County typically range from $400 to $800 annually for residential properties, with some homeowners saving over $1,000 per year depending on the size of the reduction achieved. With the county's effective tax rate of 1.70% and median home value of $341,000, even a modest 10% reduction in your assessed value would save approximately $580 per year. The savings compound over time—if you successfully protest for five consecutive years, that $580 annual savings becomes $2,900 in total tax relief. In 2021, Brazoria County property owners won assessment reductions totaling $197.9 million at the ARB level, resulting in an estimated $5.34 million in property tax savings. Professional protest services often achieve higher reductions than DIY protests and typically charge only a percentage of your tax savings, so there's no upfront cost.
What happens at a Brazoria County ARB hearing?
If your protest isn't resolved through an informal settlement with an appraiser, you'll be scheduled for a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). You'll receive notice of your hearing date and time by mail, certified mail, or email based on your preference indicated on your protest form. At the hearing, you'll have 15-20 minutes to present your case to a panel of ARB members who are independent from the appraisal district. You should present your evidence clearly and concisely, including comparable sales data, photographs, and documentation supporting your opinion of your property's value. The ARB members may ask you questions about your property or evidence. After you present, the appraisal district representative may respond. The board will then deliberate and issue a written determination of your property's value, which you'll receive by mail. If you don't attend your scheduled hearing, your protest will be automatically closed at the original notice value, so attendance is critical.
What evidence do I need for a successful Brazoria County property tax protest?
The strongest evidence for a Brazoria County property tax protest includes recent sales data of comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value. Look for homes that are similar in size, age, condition, and location that sold within the past 6-12 months. Photographs documenting your property's condition, including any deferred maintenance, foundation issues, outdated features, or damage, can significantly strengthen your case. Professional appraisals, if you had one done for a refinance or purchase, provide credible third-party valuation evidence. Repair estimates from licensed contractors for any significant issues like foundation problems, roof damage, or HVAC failures demonstrate value-reducing factors the appraisal district may have missed. You should also document any negative location factors such as proximity to busy roads, commercial properties, or flood zones. The Brazoria Central Appraisal District receives 50,000-65,000 protests annually, so well-organized, market-based evidence is essential to stand out and achieve a reduction.
Can I protest my Brazoria County property taxes if my value didn't increase?
Yes, you absolutely can and should protest your Brazoria County property taxes even if your assessed value stayed the same or decreased from the prior year. The relevant question is whether your current assessed value exceeds your property's actual market value as of January 1, 2026, not whether it increased from last year. Market conditions in Brazoria County can shift, with some areas experiencing price declines while others rise. If comparable homes in your neighborhood have sold for less than your assessed value, you have grounds for a protest regardless of whether your value went up, down, or stayed flat. Additionally, you may have property-specific issues like deferred maintenance, functional obsolescence, or location factors that justify a lower value than similar properties. With the county's high effective tax rate of 1.70%, even a small overassessment costs you significantly each year, making it worthwhile to protest if the evidence supports a reduction.
What are my options if I disagree with the ARB decision in Brazoria County?
If you're not satisfied with the Appraisal Review Board's decision in Brazoria County, you have three post-ARB appeal options. First, you can file for binding arbitration within 60 days of receiving your ARB order, which is available for properties valued under $5 million or any homestead property regardless of value. Binding arbitration involves hiring a neutral arbitrator who reviews evidence from both sides and issues a final decision. Second, you can file a judicial appeal by filing a lawsuit in state district court within 60 days of receiving your ARB determination. Judicial appeals involve formal legal proceedings and may require expert witnesses, but can result in significant reductions for overvalued properties. Third, in limited circumstances, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). In 2021, Brazoria County property owners filed 29 binding arbitration cases and 50 judicial appeals, with settlements in judicial appeals producing an additional $3 million in tax savings beyond what was achieved at the ARB level. Many protest companies handle these advanced appeals on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if they achieve additional savings.

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

Bell County (Killeen)Bexar County (San Antonio)Brazos County (Bryan)Cameron County (Brownsville)Collin County (McKinney)Comal County (New Braunfels)
← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://www.brazoriacad.org/ | https://eprotest.brazoriacad.org/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/brazoria-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://bezit.co/texas/brazoria-county-property-tax-guide-homestead-exemption-insights/

Last verified: 2026-02-23