Burnet County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Burnet County is a rapidly growing Hill Country county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas, with Burnet as its county seat and Marble Falls as its largest city. With a 2025 population of approximately 57,000 residents, the county encompasses over 1,500 square miles and includes cities such as Granite Shoals, Horseshoe Bay, and Meadowlakes. Property taxes in Burnet County are a significant expense for homeowners, making protests particularly important, the median tax bill of $2,885 exceeds the national median by $485, and the county's effective tax rate of 1.04% is slightly above the national average of 1.02%. Given that 58-63% of property tax protests in Burnet County successfully achieve reductions, with average savings of $717 per protested account in 2023, homeowners have compelling financial incentives to file annual protests.

Notable cities: Burnet, Marble Falls, Granite Shoals, Horseshoe Bay, Meadowlakes

Median Home

$345,049

Tax Rate

1.04%

Annual Tax

$2,885

Population

57,000

On the typical Burnet County home, valued near $345,049 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.04%, 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 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later

The standard protest deadline is May 15, but if your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed after April 15, you have 30 days from the mailing date shown on your notice. Always check the specific deadline printed on your notice, as that date controls. Missing the deadline forfeits your right to protest for the entire 2026 tax year.

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White two-story Texas home with shade trees. Burnet County protest guide.

How Burnet County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Burnet Central Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

Texas law requires that properties be assessed at 100% of market value as of January 1 of each tax year, meaning there is no fractional assessment ratio. If your home's market value is $345,000 (the county median), your assessed value would be the full $345,000. At Burnet County's effective tax rate of 1.04%, this would result in approximately $3,588 in annual property taxes. This is why protesting an inflated market value assessment can yield substantial savings, even a $20,000 reduction in assessed value would save approximately $208 per year.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you may first be offered an informal hearing with appraisal district staff to negotiate a settlement. If unresolved, you'll receive at least 15 days' notice before your formal ARB hearing, where you'll present your evidence to a panel of appointed citizens who will issue a binding decision on your property's value.

Review your Notice of Appraised Value immediately when it arrives in April or May and check for errors in your property description, square footage, or market value assessment

File your protest by May 15, 2026 (or 30 days from notice mailing date, whichever is later) using the online portal at eprotest.burnet-cad.org, by email to bcad@burnetad.org, in person at either office location, or by mail to P.O. Box 908, Burnet, TX 78611

Gather evidence to support your protest, including comparable sales data for similar properties in your area, photographs showing property condition issues or defects, contractor estimates for needed repairs, and documentation of any errors in the appraisal district's property records

Attend the informal hearing with Burnet CAD staff (if offered) to attempt to resolve the dispute before a formal hearing, approximately 63% of informal protests in Burnet County result in reductions, saving homeowners $1 million in 2024

If the informal resolution is unsatisfactory or unavailable, present your case at a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), bringing all evidence and documentation to support your requested value reduction, 58% of formal ARB hearings result in reductions

If you disagree with the ARB's decision, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, pursue binding arbitration (for properties under $5 million), or file a lawsuit in district court within specific statutory deadlines

Required form: Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or written letter of disagreement

Filing Methods

online:File through the Burnet CAD online portal at https://eprotest.burnet-cad.org/ - requires creating an account and using the PIN number attached to your appraisal notice

email:bcad@burnetad.org

in-person:Burnet Office: 223 South Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611 or Marble Falls Office: 100 Avenue H, Suite 100, Marble Falls, TX 78654

mail:P.O. Box 908, Burnet, TX 78611-0908

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data for similar properties sold in your area within the past 12 monthsPhotographs documenting property condition issues, defects, or needed repairsLicensed appraisal or broker price opinion showing a lower market valueContractor estimates or repair invoices for structural issues or deferred maintenanceDocumentation of errors in the appraisal district's records (incorrect square footage, wrong property description, etc.)

Burnet County Assessor Contact

Burnet Central Appraisal District

Phone: (512) 756-8291

Address: 223 South Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611-3136

Website: https://burnet-cad.org

Online Portal: https://eprotest.burnet-cad.org/

Hours: Lobby Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Operations: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tax Exemptions in Burnet County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes (mandatory statewide); local taxing entities may offer additional optional exemptions up to 20% of appraised value (minimum $5,000)

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district taxes

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year, be a Texas resident, and have a Texas driver's license or state ID matching the property addressDeadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to two years past delinquency date)

Age 65 or Older Exemption

Additional $60,000 school district exemption (stacks with the $140,000 general exemption for a total of $200,000); local taxing entities may offer additional optional exemptions

Additional school district exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, plus a tax ceiling that freezes school district taxes at the current amount

Eligibility: Homeowner must be age 65 or older on January 1 of the tax year and qualify for the general homestead exemptionDeadline: April 30 of the year you turn 65

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 school district exemption (stacks with the $140,000 general exemption for a total of $200,000); cannot combine with age 65 exemption (either/or)

Additional school district exemption for homeowners with a qualifying disability

Eligibility: Must receive disability benefits from Social Security Administration or other qualifying agency and meet homestead exemption requirementsDeadline: April 30

Disabled Veteran Exemption (Partial)

$5,000 exemption for 10-29% disability rating; $7,500 for 30-49%; $10,000 for 50-69%; $12,000 for 70-100% (or veterans age 65+ with any rating)

Graduated exemption based on VA disability rating percentage for service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the VA or military branch, be a Texas resident, and own the property as of January 1Deadline: April 30 (late applications may be accepted)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption (Total)

100% exemption, zero property taxes owed to any taxing entity (county, city, school district, special districts)

Complete exemption from all property taxes on primary residence

Eligibility: Must have a 100% VA disability rating or receive 100% disability compensation due to individual unemployability (TDIU); surviving unmarried spouse may retain the exemptionDeadline: April 30 of the first year claimed; file Form 50-114 with the appraisal district

Burnet County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

58% (formal ARB hearings), 63% (informal hearings)

Avg Reduction

$717

% Who Protest

13% (2024)

Burnet County Protest Packet — $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The protest deadline for Burnet County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. The specific deadline will be printed on your notice of value, so check that date carefully. If you miss the deadline, you forfeit your right to protest for the entire 2026 tax year, and there are very limited exceptions. Filing early is recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues with the online portal and to ensure you have adequate time to prepare your evidence.

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

Burnet County uses an online portal at https://eprotest.burnet-cad.org/ for electronic protest filing. You will need to create an account and use the PIN number that appears on your Notice of Appraised Value. The system was updated in 2026 to require account creation for all users. Alternatively, you can file by email to bcad@burnetad.org, mail your protest to P.O. Box 908, Burnet, TX 78611, or file in person at the Burnet office (223 South Pierce Street) or Marble Falls office (100 Avenue H, Suite 100). All methods are equally valid as long as your protest is filed before the deadline.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Burnet County?

The general residence homestead exemption removes $140,000 from your home's taxable value for school district taxes, which typically saves homeowners approximately $1,400 per year in school taxes alone. Local taxing entities in Burnet County may offer additional optional exemptions up to 20% of your home's value (minimum $5,000), which could add hundreds to thousands more in annual savings depending on your property value and location within the county. For the median Burnet County home valued at $345,000, the $140,000 school district exemption alone reduces the taxable value to $205,000, resulting in substantial yearly savings.

What happens at an ARB hearing in Burnet County?

An Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Burnet County is a quasi-judicial proceeding where you present evidence to a panel of citizen board members appointed by the local administrative district judge. You'll have the opportunity to explain why your property's assessed value is too high, present comparable sales data, photographs, contractor estimates, or other supporting documentation, and respond to questions from board members and appraisal district staff. The hearing is typically informal and lasts 15-30 minutes for residential properties. After both sides present, the board issues a binding written decision that either confirms the original value, reduces it to your proposed value, or sets it at an intermediate amount based on the evidence presented.

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

In 2023, successful property tax protests in Burnet County resulted in average savings of $717.58 per account protested, with total savings exceeding $5.92 million for the year. Success rates are favorable: 63% of informal protests and 58% of formal ARB hearings result in value reductions. For homeowners whose properties are overvalued by $50,000, a successful protest at the county's 1.04% effective tax rate would save approximately $520 per year, savings that compound annually. Even modest reductions can yield hundreds of dollars in annual savings, and because Texas has no income tax, property tax relief directly impacts your bottom line.

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

The most persuasive evidence includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, ideally from the past 6-12 months. Other strong evidence includes photographs documenting property condition issues, deferred maintenance, or functional obsolescence; contractor estimates or invoices for needed repairs; a licensed appraisal or broker price opinion showing a lower market value; and documentation of any factual errors in the appraisal district's records such as incorrect square footage, extra bathrooms that don't exist, or wrong property characteristics. In Burnet County, where 60% of protests result in reductions, presenting clear, well-organized evidence significantly improves your chances of success at both informal and formal hearings.

Can I protest my Burnet County property taxes if I already have a homestead exemption?

Yes, absolutely. The homestead exemption and the property tax protest are completely separate processes that address different issues. The homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by a fixed amount ($140,000 for school districts), while a protest challenges the underlying market value assessment of your property. Even with a homestead exemption in place, if your property is assessed at $400,000 but comparable sales show it should be valued at $350,000, you can and should protest. Many Burnet County homeowners with homestead exemptions successfully protest each year, in fact, having the exemption doesn't prevent overassessment, so protesting annually is recommended regardless of exemption status.

Does Burnet County offer an informal hearing before the formal ARB hearing?

Yes, Burnet Central Appraisal District typically offers informal hearings with appraisal district staff before scheduling formal ARB hearings, and these informal sessions are highly successful. In 2024, 63% of informal protests in Burnet County resulted in value reductions, saving homeowners $1 million collectively. The informal hearing allows you to present your evidence directly to district staff and potentially reach an agreed settlement without going before the ARB. However, you are not required to accept the informal offer, if you're unsatisfied with the result, you can proceed to a formal ARB hearing without penalty. Many property owners find informal hearings to be faster and less formal than ARB proceedings while still achieving meaningful reductions.

Official Resources

Burnet Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property search, exemption forms, protest information, interactive maps, and contact details for the Burnet CAD.

Burnet CAD Online Protest Filing Portal →

File your 2026 property tax protest online, view communications from the appraisal district, and track your protest status.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Division →

State-level property tax resources, exemption guides, protest procedures, and taxpayer rights information from the Texas Comptroller.

Burnet CAD Property Search and Tax Payment →

Search property records by owner, address, or property ID; view assessed values, tax history, and exemptions; and pay taxes online.

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)Brazoria County (Pearland)Brazos County (Bryan)Cameron County (Brownsville)Collin County (McKinney)

← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://burnet-cad.org/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/burnet-county | https://www.poconnor.com/burnet-county/ | https://www.dailytrib.com/2026/05/06/deadline-approaching-for-property-appraisal-protests/ | https://www.ownwell.com/blog/protest-property-taxes-texas

Last verified: 2026-07-22