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Calhoun County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Calhoun County is located on the Texas Gulf Coast with Port Lavaca serving as the county seat. The county has a population of approximately 20,106 as of 2020, with notable cities including Port Lavaca (the largest city), Seadrift, Point Comfort, Port O'Connor, and Palacios. The median home value in Calhoun County is $110,860, significantly lower than the national average, while the effective property tax rate of 1.38% is notably higher than the national median of 1.02%. The median annual property tax bill of $1,200 is half the national median of $2,400, making property tax protests valuable for homeowners seeking to reduce overvalued assessments despite relatively lower home values.

Notable cities: Port Lavaca, Seadrift, Point Comfort, Port O'Connor, Palacios

Median Home

$110,860

Tax Rate

1.38%

Annual Tax

$1,200

Population

20,106

On the typical Calhoun County home, valued near $110,860 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.38%, 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

Under Texas Tax Code Section 41.44, the protest deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever date is later. Your specific deadline is printed on your notice. If your notice was mailed after April 15, 2026, you have 30 days from that mailing date. Missing this deadline means you cannot protest your 2026 assessment.

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

How Calhoun County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Calhoun County Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

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

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value with no fractional assessment ratio. This means your assessed value equals your market value for property tax calculation purposes. For example, if your home's market value is $110,000 (near Calhoun County's median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $110,000. After applying the $100,000 school district homestead exemption, your taxable value would be $10,000 for school taxes, resulting in approximately $1,518 in annual property taxes at Calhoun County's effective rate of 1.38%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). At the ARB hearing, a panel of citizens reviews your protest and listens to both you (or your representative) and the appraisal district staff. You will present your evidence, explain your case, and the ARB will issue a binding determination for the 2026 tax year.

1

Review your Notice of Appraised Value immediately when it arrives (typically April-May) and verify your property details, market value, and exemptions are correct.

2

File Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) with the Calhoun County Appraisal District before your deadline, either online, by mail to P.O. Box 49, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, or in person at 426 W. Main St. You must specify the reason for your protest (typically market value).

3

Gather evidence to support your protest including comparable sales of similar properties in Calhoun County, photographs showing property condition issues or needed repairs, contractor estimates for repairs, and your property appraisal records from prior years.

4

Request an informal conference with a Calhoun CAD appraiser to try to resolve your protest before the formal ARB hearing. Many protests are resolved at this stage with a value adjustment.

5

If the informal review does not resolve your protest, attend your formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. You will receive written notice of the date, time, and location. Present your evidence and explain why your property value should be reduced.

6

Receive the ARB's written decision by mail. If you disagree with the ARB's determination, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) or file a judicial appeal in district court within the time allowed by law.

7

If you win a reduction, the new value will be certified to the tax assessor-collector and your tax bill will reflect the lower amount. If you already paid taxes, you will receive a refund for the overpayment.

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

Filing Methods

online:File through the Calhoun CAD online portal at https://calhouncad.org (check for taxpayer portal link)
mail:Mail to Calhoun County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 49, Port Lavaca, TX 77979
in-person:Deliver to 426 W. Main St., Port Lavaca, TX 77979 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
email:Contact the appraisal district at (361) 552-4560 to confirm email filing options

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data for similar properties in Calhoun County sold within the past yearPhotographs documenting property condition issues, damage, or deferred maintenanceContractor estimates or repair invoices showing needed workPrior year appraisal records showing value trendsMarket analysis or appraisal reports if available

Calhoun County Assessor Contact

Calhoun County Appraisal District

Phone: (361) 552-4560

Address: 426 W. Main St., Port Lavaca, TX 77979 (Mailing: P.O. Box 49, Port Lavaca, TX 77979)

Website: https://calhouncad.org

Online Portal: https://esearch.calhouncad.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tax Exemptions in Calhoun County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$100,000 for school district taxes (2026 tax year)

Reduces your taxable value for school district taxes on your primary residence

Eligibility: Property must be your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. You must own the home and occupy it as your principal residence. Texas driver's license or state ID must match the property address.Deadline: April 30, 2026 (for 2026 tax year)

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 school district exemption (total $160,000 when combined with general homestead exemption)

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

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older as of January 1 of the tax year and qualify for the general homestead exemption. The tax ceiling locks your school tax dollar amount even if rates increase in future years.Deadline: April 30, 2026

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 school district exemption (total $160,000 when combined with general homestead exemption)

Additional exemption for homeowners classified as disabled by the Social Security Administration

Eligibility: Must be classified as disabled for purposes of payment of disability insurance benefits under Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. Must qualify for the general homestead exemption.Deadline: April 30, 2026

Disabled Veteran Exemption (Partial)

$5,000 to $12,000 based on disability rating: 10-29% = $5,000; 30-49% = $7,500; 50-69% = $10,000; 70-100% = $12,000

Partial exemption based on the veteran's VA disability rating percentage

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the VA of at least 10%. Must be a Texas resident and own the property on January 1.Deadline: April 30, 2026

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption of the residence homestead appraised value (no dollar limit)

Total exemption from property taxes on the residence homestead

Eligibility: Must have a 100% disability rating from the VA due to a service-connected disability and a rating of 100% disabled or individual unemployability. Property must be the veteran's residence homestead.Deadline: April 30, 2026

Optional Local Homestead Exemptions

Varies by taxing entity; counties and cities may offer up to 20% of appraised value (minimum $5,000)

Additional exemptions offered by county, city, or other local taxing units

Eligibility: Must qualify for the general residence homestead exemption. Contact Calhoun County Appraisal District to determine which local entities offer optional exemptions.Deadline: April 30, 2026

Calhoun County Protest Packet — $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Calhoun County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Calhoun County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed by the Calhoun County Appraisal District, whichever is later. Your specific deadline is printed on your appraisal notice. If your notice was mailed after April 15, 2026, you have 30 days from that mailing date instead of the May 15 deadline. Missing your deadline means you cannot protest your 2026 property value, so it's critical to file as soon as you receive your notice. You can file online, by mail to P.O. Box 49, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, or in person at 426 W. Main St.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Calhoun County?
To file a property tax protest online in Calhoun County, visit the Calhoun County Appraisal District website at calhouncad.org and look for the online portal or taxpayer portal link. You can also access the property search portal at esearch.calhouncad.org to look up your property information. You will need to complete Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or submit a written notice identifying your property and stating your disagreement with the appraised value. Make sure to file before your deadline, May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your notice was mailed. If you have difficulty accessing the online portal, call the appraisal district at (361) 552-4560 for assistance during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
What is the homestead exemption worth in Calhoun County?
In Calhoun County, the mandatory school district homestead exemption is $100,000 for the 2026 tax year, which applies to all qualifying Texas homeowners. Homeowners age 65 or older, or those classified as disabled, receive an additional $60,000 school district exemption for a total of $160,000. Additionally, Calhoun County and local cities may offer optional local homestead exemptions of up to 20% of your home's appraised value or a minimum of $5,000, depending on the taxing entity. For a home valued at $110,860 (the county median), the $100,000 school exemption alone saves approximately $1,000 annually in school taxes. To claim any homestead exemption, you must file Form 50-114 with the Calhoun County Appraisal District by April 30, 2026.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Calhoun County?
At a Calhoun County ARB hearing, you will present your case before a panel of citizens who are independent from the appraisal district. The hearing is your opportunity to explain why you believe your property's appraised value is too high and to present evidence such as comparable sales, photographs of property condition issues, or contractor repair estimates. The appraisal district representative will also present their evidence supporting the current value. The ARB panel will listen to both sides, review all evidence, and then issue a binding determination for the 2026 tax year. You will receive the ARB's decision in writing by mail. If the ARB reduces your value, your tax bill will reflect the lower amount. If you disagree with the ARB's decision, you have the right to appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings or to district court.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Calhoun County?
The amount you can save by protesting your property taxes in Calhoun County depends on how much your property value is reduced. With Calhoun County's effective tax rate of 1.38%, every $10,000 reduction in your property's appraised value saves you approximately $138 per year in property taxes. For example, if you successfully protest a $110,860 home and reduce the value by $15,000, you would save about $207 annually. Statewide in Texas, between 60% and 80% of protests result in a reduction, and in major metropolitan counties, the median savings is approximately $606 per year. Given that over 51% of Texas homes are overassessed, protesting can provide meaningful savings, especially since you can protest every year to ensure your value remains fair and accurate.
What evidence do I need for a successful Calhoun County property tax protest?
For a successful property tax protest in Calhoun County, you should gather strong comparable evidence showing your property is overvalued. The most effective evidence includes recent sales data for three to five comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your appraised value within the past 12 months. Photographs documenting property condition issues, deferred maintenance, damage, or needed repairs are also valuable. Contractor estimates or invoices for repairs strengthen your case by quantifying the cost of defects. Your prior year appraisal records can show if your value increased disproportionately compared to similar properties. If available, a professional appraisal report from a licensed appraiser can be persuasive. Present your evidence clearly and professionally at your ARB hearing, focusing on factual data rather than opinions about tax rates or budgets, which the ARB cannot control.
Can I protest my Calhoun County property taxes if I disagree with the appraisal district's value?
Yes, every property owner in Calhoun County has the legal right to protest their property's appraised value if they believe it is too high. Texas law guarantees this right under Tax Code Chapter 41. You do not need to provide a reason beyond your disagreement with the value to file a protest. The most common basis for protest is that the market value assigned by the Calhoun County Appraisal District exceeds what your property would actually sell for as of January 1, 2026. To exercise your right to protest, you must file Form 50-132 or a written notice of protest with the appraisal district by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days of when your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. There is no fee to file a protest, and you can represent yourself or appoint an agent to represent you.
Where do I mail my property tax protest for Calhoun County?
To mail your property tax protest for Calhoun County, send Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or a written notice of disagreement to the Calhoun County Appraisal District at P.O. Box 49, Port Lavaca, TX 77979. Make sure your protest is postmarked or received by your deadline, May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. Your protest must identify your property (by address or account number), state that you are the property owner, and indicate your disagreement with the appraisal district's determination. You can also deliver your protest in person to 426 W. Main St., Port Lavaca, TX 77979, during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM), or file online through the Calhoun CAD website at calhouncad.org. Filing early is recommended to ensure timely processing.

Official Resources

Calhoun County Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property search, tax information, exemption forms, and file your property tax protest online.

Calhoun CAD Property Search Portal →

Look up property values, ownership records, exemptions, and tax history for any property in Calhoun County.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Resources →

Official state resources including protest forms, taxpayer rights, exemption applications, and property tax guides.

Texas Property Tax Code and Laws →

Complete Texas Property Tax Code, legal resources, and instructional videos on protests and appeals.

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 →

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← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://calhouncad.org | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/calhoun-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/protests/ | https://appraisaldistrict.org/calhoun-county-appraisal-district/ | https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/texas/calhoun-county

Last verified: 2026-07-22