Ector County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob Hartley·Updated February 24, 2026

Ector County is located in West Texas with Odessa as its county seat and largest city. The county has a population of approximately 174,000 residents and is part of the Midland-Odessa metropolitan area, known for its strong oil and gas industry. Property tax protests matter significantly here because Ector County's median effective property tax rate of 1.72% is notably higher than the national median of 1.02%, placing a heavier tax burden on homeowners. With a median home value around $115,000 and a median annual tax bill of approximately $1,710, Ector County residents pay substantially less than the national median property tax bill of $2,400, though their effective rate remains high.

Notable cities: Odessa, Goldsmith

Median Home

$115,000

Tax Rate

1.72%

Annual Tax

$1,710

Population

174,000

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

The protest deadline in Ector County is the later of May 15 or 30 days after your notice of appraised value is delivered. Your specific deadline is printed in the upper right corner of your appraisal notice. This gives property owners flexibility based on when they receive their notices, which are typically mailed in April and May.

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

How Ector County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Ector County Appraisal District (ECAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning your assessed value equals the market value determined by the Ector County Appraisal District. For example, if your home's market value is $115,000 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $115,000. At Ector County's effective tax rate of 1.72%, this would result in approximately $1,978 in annual property taxes before exemptions. The appraisal district reappraises all properties annually using comparable sales data and mass appraisal techniques to determine market values as of January 1st each year.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Most ARB hearings occur in June and July and are conducted by a panel of three board members. The hearing is informal, and you'll present your evidence while the appraisal district presents theirs. The ARB will issue a written decision that is binding for that tax year only.

Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in April or May and check the protest deadline printed on the notice.

Request an informal review with ECAD staff before filing a formal protest by calling 432-332-6834. The appraiser may adjust your value, re-inspect your property, or maintain the original appraisal based on the evidence you provide.

File a formal written protest with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) if you're not satisfied after the informal review. Submit online at www.ectorcad.org, by mail to 1301 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761, or in person by the deadline.

Attend your ARB hearing, which will be scheduled for June or July. You'll receive at least 15 days' notice with the date, time, and location. Present evidence including comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, and documentation of property defects to support your lower value.

Receive the ARB's written decision by email or certified mail. If dissatisfied, you can appeal to state district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), or binding arbitration depending on property type and value.

If appealing beyond the ARB, file your appeal within the timeframes specified in the ARB order and consider consulting with a property tax attorney or consultant.

Required form: Form 50-132 (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) or any written letter of protest

Filing Methods

online:File online at www.ectorcad.org through the Property Records Search portal. Note: Online protest filing closes after the deadline period each year.

mail:Mail to: Ector County Appraisal District, 1301 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761. Must have U.S. Post Office cancellation mark by midnight of the deadline.

in-person:Deliver to: 1301 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761, by 5:00 PM on the deadline date.

email:Contact ARB.Reschedule@ectorcad.org for submission options.

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for lessPhotographs showing property defects, damage, or conditions affecting valueRepair estimates or contractor invoices documenting needed repairsProperty records showing errors in the appraisal district's description of your propertyIndependent appraisals or assessments of your property's market value

Ector County Assessor Contact

Ector County Appraisal District

Phone: 432-332-6834

Address: 1301 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761

Website: https://www.ectorcad.org

Online Portal: https://search.ectorcad.org

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

Tax Exemptions in Ector County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$100,000 minimum for school districts ($40,000 state-mandated + optional local amounts); cities and counties may offer up to 20% or minimum $5,000

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district and local taxing units

Eligibility: Property owners who own and occupy the home as their primary residence on January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: April 30 (best practice) or before May 1 for full benefit

Over-65 Exemption

$10,000 additional exemption for school district taxes; cities and counties may offer at least $3,000

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

Eligibility: Homeowners who are 65 years or older and occupy the property as their primary residenceDeadline: Before May 1 or within one year of qualifying

Disabled Person Exemption

$10,000 for school district taxes; cities and counties may offer at least $3,000

Exemption for homeowners with disabilities, includes a school tax ceiling

Eligibility: Homeowners classified as disabled by the Social Security Administration or other qualifying agencyDeadline: Before May 1 or within one year of qualifying

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption from all property taxes

Complete property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans

Eligibility: Veterans with a 100% disability rating or individual unemployability status from the VADeadline: Before May 1 or within one year of qualifying

Partial Disabled Veteran Exemption

Varies by disability rating from 10% to 90%: $5,000 (10-29%), $7,500 (30-49%), $10,000 (50-69%), $12,000 (70-100%)

Partial exemption based on disability rating percentage

Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating from the VADeadline: Before May 1 or within one year of qualifying

Official Resources

Ector County Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, exemption applications, protest forms, and contact information for the appraisal district.

Ector County Property Records Search →

Search for your property information, view appraised values, file online protests, and check tax payment status.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Portal →

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

Texas Property Tax Exemptions Guide →

Comprehensive guide to all available property tax exemptions in Texas including homestead, senior, disabled, and veteran exemptions.

Ector County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

40-60%

% Who Protest

1.4-2%

Check Your Ector County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The protest deadline in Ector County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later. Your specific deadline is printed in the upper right corner of your Notice of Appraised Value that you receive in April or May. If you mail your protest, it must have a U.S. Post Office cancellation mark dated by midnight of the deadline. If you deliver it in person to 1301 E. 8th Street in Odessa, it must arrive by 5:00 PM on the deadline date. Missing this deadline means you cannot protest your property value for that tax year.

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

To file online, visit www.ectorcad.org and use the Property Records Search in the navigation bar to find your property. Once you locate your property, select the 'File Protest for this Parcel' button located below Preliminary Values. Click the Login button under Online Protest Sign-In and complete the Submit a New Protest form with your property information and reasons for protesting. You can also upload supporting documentation like comparable sales or photos. Note that the online protest portal closes after the May 15 deadline period each year, so file early. If the online system is closed, you can still mail or hand-deliver your written protest to 1301 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Ector County?

In Ector County, the general residence homestead exemption provides significant savings. For school district taxes, you receive a minimum of $100,000 exemption, which includes the state-mandated $40,000 plus additional optional local amounts. Ector County also offers an optional 20% exemption which can provide even more savings by reducing your taxable value. Cities and special districts may offer up to 20% exemptions with a guaranteed minimum of $5,000. For a home valued at $115,000 (the county median), the school exemption alone could save you approximately $1,720 annually in school taxes. To claim this exemption, you must apply with the Ector County Appraisal District before May 1, and the exemption does not transfer automatically when you purchase a new home.

What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Ector County?

ARB hearings in Ector County typically occur in June and July and are conducted by a panel of three board members appointed by the local administrative district judge. You'll receive at least 15 days' notice with the date, time, and location of your hearing. The hearing is informal, and you can present your evidence such as comparable sales, photos, or repair estimates supporting your opinion of value. The appraisal district will also present their evidence justifying their appraisal. Both sides have the opportunity to speak, and the ARB listens to all evidence before making a determination. You can represent yourself, have a family member represent you with written authorization, or hire a professional property tax consultant. After the hearing, you'll receive a written decision by email or certified mail, and the ARB's decision is binding for that tax year only.

Should I request an informal review before filing a formal protest in Ector County?

Yes, the Ector County Appraisal District strongly encourages property owners to request an informal review with appraisal staff before filing a formal ARB protest. During an informal review, you can discuss your concerns with the appraiser responsible for your property, and they may adjust your value based on the information you provide, schedule a re-inspection, or explain their appraisal methodology. In 2021, Ector County property owners achieved approximately $6 million in tax savings through informal hearings, with a 48% success rate for those who participated. About 26% of residential informal settlements resulted in value reductions. Even if you don't reach a satisfactory agreement during the informal review, you can still continue with a formal protest to the ARB. To request an informal appointment, call the appraisal district at 432-332-6834.

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

Ector County property owners achieved significant savings through protests in recent years. In 2021, property owners saved over $12 million through the protest process, with informal hearings generating approximately $6 million in savings and ARB hearings producing another $6 million. Historical data shows that 40-60% of protests in Ector County are successful in achieving value reductions. In 2023, property tax protests resulted in average savings of approximately $4,550 per protested account. The amount you can save depends on factors including your property's appraised value, the strength of your evidence, and whether there are errors in the appraisal district's records. With Ector County's effective tax rate of 1.72%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you approximately $172 annually in property taxes. Given the high success rate and zero cost to file a protest yourself, protesting is worthwhile for most homeowners.

What evidence do I need to win my property tax protest in Ector County?

To succeed in your Ector County property tax protest, bring strong evidence supporting a lower property value. The most effective evidence includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your appraised value—the appraisal district uses sales data, so this is particularly persuasive. Photographs documenting property defects, damage, needed repairs, or adverse conditions affecting value are also important. Obtain written repair estimates or contractor invoices showing the cost to fix problems like foundation issues, roof damage, or plumbing problems. Review the appraisal district's property description for errors in square footage, number of rooms, age, or quality of construction. If you have an independent appraisal from a licensed appraiser showing a lower value, include that as well. The Ector County Appraisal District will provide you with their evidence packet free of charge upon request, which includes the comparable sales they used. Review this information and prepare your counter-evidence addressing why your property should be valued lower.

Can I protest my Ector County property taxes if I just bought my home?

Yes, you can protest your property taxes in Ector County even if you recently purchased your home, and your purchase price can be strong evidence of market value. If you bought your home in an arm's-length transaction during or close to the January 1 assessment date, and the appraisal district valued it higher than your purchase price, this is excellent grounds for a protest. The appraisal district must appraise property at market value as of January 1st, and a recent sale price between a willing buyer and willing seller is considered the best evidence of market value. However, be prepared to demonstrate that the sale was a typical transaction—not a foreclosure, family transfer, or distressed sale. When you file your protest, include your closing documents, settlement statement, and any other paperwork showing the purchase price and terms. Even if you bought the property earlier in the previous year, this information can still support your case for a lower valuation if values haven't increased significantly since your purchase.

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://www.ectorcad.org | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/ector-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://www.newswest9.com/article/money/property-taxes-ector-county/513-4fb7edcf-8018-4abb-80f2-612fe41a49b7 | https://ectorcountypropertytaxtrends.com/

Last verified: 2026-02-24