AppealDesk

Clay County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Clay County is located in north central Texas with Henrietta serving as the county seat. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 10,218. Notable cities include Henrietta (population 3,302), Petrolia (514), Byers (454), and Bellevue (289). The median property tax in Clay County is $1,199 per year for a home worth the median value of $77,300, with the county collecting an average of 1.55% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax. The median annual Clay County tax bill of $1,547 is $853 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Property tax protests are critical here because even modest reductions can provide meaningful savings for homeowners, and Texas law guarantees every property owner the right to challenge their assessed value annually.

Notable cities: Henrietta, Petrolia, Byers, Bellevue

Median Home

$77,300

Tax Rate

1.55%

Annual Tax

$1,547

Population

10,218

On the typical Clay County home, valued near $77,300 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.55%, 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 after the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later

In many cases, the Texas property tax protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district delivers the notice of appraised value, whichever is later. If you receive your Notice of Appraised Value after April 15, you have 30 days from the mailing date instead. Always check the mailing date on your notice to determine your exact deadline.

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How Clay County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Clay County Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value, there is no fractional assessment. In Clay County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. For example, if your home's market value is $77,300 (Clay County's median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $77,300, resulting in approximately $1,199 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.55%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, your appraisal district will schedule an informal hearing, a one-on-one meeting with an appraiser from the district. This is not a courtroom. If the informal hearing doesn't resolve your protest, you'll be scheduled for a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board. The ARB is an independent panel (typically 1-3 members) appointed by the local administrative district judge. They are not employed by the appraisal district.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value immediately upon receipt and note your deadline (May 15, 2026, or 30 days from notice mailing date, whichever is later)

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Step 2: Gather evidence including comparable sales of similar properties, photos of property condition issues, repair estimates, and documentation of any errors in property characteristics (square footage, lot size, etc.)

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Step 3: Complete and file Form 50-132-A (Notice of Protest for counties under 120,000 population) with the Clay County Appraisal District before the deadline via online portal, mail, email, or in-person delivery

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Step 4: Request and attend an informal conference with an appraisal district staff member to present your evidence and attempt to negotiate a settlement before the formal hearing

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Step 5: If the informal conference does not resolve your protest, attend your scheduled formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), present your evidence, and receive a binding decision

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Step 6: If unsatisfied with the ARB decision, appeal to district court or request binding arbitration (for residential properties valued under $5 million) within the statutory timeframe

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Step 7: For further appeals beyond district court, consider State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) if eligible for your property type and dispute

Required form: Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or Form 50-132-A for counties under 120,000 population

Filing Methods

online:Check the Clay County Appraisal District website at www.claycad.org for online filing options
mail:Mail to Clay County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 108, Henrietta, TX 76365-0108
in-person:Deliver to 101 E. Omega St., Henrietta, TX 76365
email:Contact claycad1@gmail.com to inquire about email filing options

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales (3-5 recent sales of similar homes in your area that sold for less than your appraised value)Property condition documentation (photos of damage, deferred maintenance, functional issues)Repair estimates from licensed contractors for any needed repairsDocumentation of property record errors (incorrect square footage, lot size, bedroom/bathroom count)Unequal appraisal analysis comparing your assessed value to similar properties in the neighborhood

Clay County Assessor Contact

Clay County Appraisal District

Website: https://www.claycad.org

Online Portal: https://www.claycad.org

Hours: Open through the lunch hour (specific hours available by calling)

Tax Exemptions in Clay County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes (increased from $100,000 in 2026)

Reduces taxable value for school district taxes for owner-occupied primary residences

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 applications accepted up to 2 years after delinquency date)

County Optional Homestead Exemption

Up to 20% of appraised value or up to $3,000 (varies by county adoption)

Additional exemption that counties may offer for residence homesteads

Eligibility: Homestead property owners in counties that have adopted the optional exemptionDeadline: April 30

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 for school district taxes (on top of general homestead), plus optional local exemptions of at least $3,000

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, includes school tax ceiling freeze

Eligibility: Homeowners age 65 or older as of January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: Can apply anytime after turning 65; exemption applies retroactively if filed within one year

Disabled Person Exemption

Minimum $10,000 for school districts, at least $3,000 for other taxing units that adopt it

Exemption for homeowners with qualifying disabilities, includes tax ceiling

Eligibility: Property owners classified as disabled for purposes of Social Security disability benefitsDeadline: Can apply anytime after becoming disabled; retroactive if filed within one year

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$5,000 for 10-29% disability up to total exemption for 100% disabled veterans or unemployability

Exemption based on disability rating from the VA

Eligibility: Veterans with a VA service-connected disability ratingDeadline: April 30

100% Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse Exemption

100% exemption from property taxes on primary residence

Total property tax exemption for qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% VA disability rating or their surviving spouses; surviving spouses of military killed in actionDeadline: April 30

Clay County Protest Packet — $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Clay County for 2026?
The deadline to file your property tax protest in Clay County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. If your notice was mailed after April 15, your deadline extends to 30 days from the mailing date shown on the notice. Always check the postmark date on your notice to calculate your exact deadline. Missing this deadline means you forfeit your right to protest for the entire 2026 tax year with very limited exceptions. It's critical to file before the deadline even if you're still gathering evidence, as you can supplement your case later.
How do I file a property tax protest in Clay County?
To file a property tax protest in Clay County, you must complete Form 50-132-A (Notice of Protest for counties with populations under 120,000) and submit it to the Clay County Appraisal District before the deadline. You can file online through the Clay CAD website at www.claycad.org, mail the form to P.O. Box 108, Henrietta, TX 76365-0108, deliver it in person to 101 E. Omega St. in Henrietta, or email claycad1@gmail.com to inquire about electronic filing. If mailing, use certified mail with return receipt to prove timely filing. The form requires your property information, contact details, and the grounds for your protest (typically 'incorrect market value' and 'unequal appraisal').
What is the homestead exemption worth in Clay County?
In Clay County, the school district homestead exemption is worth $140,000 off your home's taxable value for the 2026 tax year, which was increased from $100,000. For a property at Clay County's median home value of $77,300, this exemption would effectively eliminate most or all school district taxes. Counties may also offer optional exemptions of up to 20% of appraised value or up to $3,000 for other taxing entities. Homeowners age 65 or older receive an additional $60,000 school district exemption on top of the general homestead amount, plus optional local exemptions of at least $3,000. To claim the homestead exemption, file Form 50-114 with the Clay County Appraisal District by April 30.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board hearing in Clay County?
At a Clay County ARB hearing, you'll present your case to an independent panel of 1-3 citizen volunteers appointed by the local administrative district judge who are not employed by the appraisal district. The hearing typically lasts 10-20 minutes and follows an informal format where you present your evidence (comparable sales, photos, repair estimates) explaining why your property is overvalued. The appraisal district representative will present their case defending the appraised value. The ARB panel will ask questions of both sides, review the evidence, and issue a binding determination for the current tax year. Most protests are actually resolved earlier at the informal conference stage with appraisal district staff, but the ARB hearing is your formal appeal right if the informal meeting doesn't produce a satisfactory result.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Clay County?
Savings from protesting property taxes in Clay County depend on your home's appraised value and the reduction you achieve. With Clay County's effective tax rate of 1.55%, a reduction of $10,000 in appraised value saves approximately $155 annually in property taxes. For a home appraised at $150,000 that gets reduced to $130,000 (a $20,000 reduction), you would save about $310 per year. Given that the median Clay County home value is $77,300, even a 10% reduction ($7,730) would save approximately $120 per year. These savings compound annually as long as you maintain the lower value. Statewide, 60-80% of Texas property tax protests result in some reduction, and the median homeowner who wins saves approximately $600 per year in major Texas counties.
What evidence do I need for a successful Clay County property tax protest?
For a successful protest in Clay County, you need comparable sales data showing 3-5 similar homes in your area that sold recently for less than your appraised value, these are the strongest evidence since Texas assesses at 100% of market value. Include property condition documentation such as timestamped photos of damage, deferred maintenance, outdated features, or functional issues that reduce value. Obtain repair estimates from licensed contractors for any significant needed repairs like roof damage, foundation issues, or HVAC problems. Document any errors in the appraisal district's records such as incorrect square footage, lot size, or number of bedrooms/bathrooms. You can also prepare an unequal appraisal analysis showing that similar neighboring properties are assessed at lower values per square foot than yours, demonstrating that your property is being treated unfairly compared to others.
Can I protest my Clay County property taxes if I have a homestead exemption?
Yes, absolutely, having a homestead exemption does not prevent you from protesting your property taxes in Clay County, and in fact you should do both for maximum savings. The homestead exemption and the protest process are completely separate mechanisms that work together. Your homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by a fixed amount ($140,000 for school districts, plus any county or city exemptions), while a successful protest reduces your overall appraised market value. Both reductions stack together. For example, if your home is appraised at $200,000 and you protest it down to $180,000, then your $140,000 school district homestead exemption applies to the reduced $180,000 value, giving you even greater savings. The homestead cap that limits annual increases to 10% does not eliminate the benefit of protesting since the cap resets if you move or the homestead is removed.
What should I do if I miss the May 15 property tax protest deadline in Clay County?
If you miss the May 15 deadline in Clay County, your options are very limited but not entirely eliminated. Under Texas Tax Code Section 41.44(c-3), the Appraisal Review Board may accept a late protest if you file before the ARB approves the appraisal records (typically by July) and you can demonstrate 'good cause' for missing the deadline, such as serious illness, military deployment, or natural disaster, simply forgetting or being busy is not considered good cause. You could also check if your deadline was actually extended to 30 days from your notice mailing date, which would give you more time if your notice arrived after April 15. For homestead properties only, Texas Tax Code Section 41.411 allows one late protest every five years if you can prove you never received proper notice, though this is rarely granted and requires documentation. If none of these apply, you'll need to wait until the 2027 tax year to protest.

Official Resources

Clay County Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, download exemption forms, and find contact information for the Clay County Appraisal District.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for Texas property tax laws, exemption details, protest procedures, and downloadable forms.

Texas Property Tax Forms - Comptroller's Office →

Download Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest), Form 50-114 (Homestead Exemption Application), and other official Texas property tax forms.

Texas Property Tax Exemptions Guide →

Detailed information on homestead, over-65, disabled veteran, and other property tax exemptions available to Texas property owners.

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://www.claycad.org | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/county-directory/clay.php | http://www.tax-rates.org/texas/clay_county_property_tax | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/clay-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/ | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/forms/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Texas

Last verified: 2026-07-22