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Ellis County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Ellis County is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with a county seat in Waxahachie, one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas with an estimated 2026 population of approximately 249,280. Major cities include Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, and Red Oak. Property tax protests are especially important here due to rapid growth and property value increases. The median home value in Ellis County is approximately $350,000 with an effective property tax rate of about 1.35%, resulting in a median annual tax bill of approximately $4,725, significantly above the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak

Median Home

$350,000

Tax Rate

1.35%

Annual Tax

$4,725

On the typical Ellis County home, valued near $350,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.35%, 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

This year's protest window has passed in most of Texas. Order now and we re-run your numbers free when the window reopens, so your evidence is ready the day your next notice lands.

The standard deadline is May 15, 2026, but if your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed after April 15, 2026, you have 30 days from the date it was mailed to file your protest, whichever date is later. The exact deadline is printed on your notice.

See if your Ellis County home is over-assessed

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

How Ellis County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Ellis Central Appraisal District (ECAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Ellis County, the Ellis Central Appraisal District assesses all properties annually at 100% of market value. Texas law requires properties to be appraised at full market value with no assessment ratio reduction. For example: If your home's market value is $350,000, at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $350,000 (before exemptions), resulting in approximately $4,725 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.35%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Most Ellis County protests proceed through two stages: an informal review with a CAD appraiser (May-June) where 74% of protests succeed, and if not resolved, a formal ARB hearing (June-July) before a panel of citizen board members where you present evidence under oath.

1

Review your Notice of Appraised Value from Ellis CAD when it arrives in April or May and verify the deadline printed on the notice.

2

File your protest before the deadline (May 15, 2026, or 30 days after notice mailing, whichever is later) online at www.elliscad.org/file-your-protest, by mail, or in person. Select both 'market value' and 'unequal appraisal' as protest reasons to maximize your chances of success.

3

Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales within 1-2 miles of your property, photos documenting property condition issues, repair estimates, and documentation of any errors in the property record such as incorrect square footage or features.

4

Attend an informal review meeting with an Ellis CAD staff appraiser (typically scheduled May-June) where you can present your evidence and potentially settle your protest without a formal hearing.

5

If the informal review does not resolve your protest, attend a formal hearing before the Ellis County Appraisal Review Board (ARB), typically scheduled in June-July, where you present your case to a panel of citizens.

6

If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can file for binding arbitration (for properties under $3 million), appeal to state district court, or request a correction through the State Office of Administrative Hearings for certain issues.

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

Filing Methods

online:File through the Ellis CAD online portal at www.elliscad.org/file-your-protest or www.elliscad.com/file-your-protest
mail:Mail protest form to: Ellis Central Appraisal District, P.O. Box 878, Waxahachie, TX 75168-0878
in-person:Deliver in person to: 400 Ferris Ave., Waxahachie, TX 75165

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (within 1-2 miles, sold in past 12 months)Photos showing property condition issues or defectsContractor estimates for needed repairsDocumentation of incorrect property data (square footage, features, lot size)Unequal appraisal analysis showing similar homes valued lower

Ellis County Assessor Contact

Ellis Central Appraisal District (ECAD)

Website: https://www.elliscad.org

Online Portal: https://www.elliscad.org/file-your-protest

Tax Exemptions in Ellis County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$40,000 for school district taxes (minimum); optional 20% exemption from Ellis County and other local taxing units with minimum $5,000

State-mandated exemption for owner-occupied primary residences that reduces taxable value for school district taxes and may be offered by other taxing entities

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: Generally by April 30, but first-year applicants may file later if they acquire or move into the home after January 1

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $10,000 for school district taxes on top of general homestead; local taxing units may offer additional amounts

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older that provides extra tax savings and freezes school district taxes at the amount owed the year the owner turns 65

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older and own and occupy the property as primary residence on January 1Deadline: Can be filed anytime during the year; exemption is pro-rated based on when you turn 65

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $10,000 for school district taxes; local taxing units may offer additional amounts

Exemption for homeowners receiving Social Security disability benefits

Eligibility: Must receive disability benefits under Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance and own and occupy the property as primary residenceDeadline: Generally by April 30, but may be filed later with supporting documentation

Disabled Veteran Exemption

10-29% disability: $5,000; 30-49%: $7,500; 50-69%: $10,000; 70-99%: $12,000; 100% disabled: total exemption from all property taxes

Partial or total property tax exemption based on VA disability rating for veterans with service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with VA-rated service-connected disabilityDeadline: Generally by April 30 with required VA documentation

Ellis County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

74% at informal review / 73% at ARB

Avg Reduction

$1,580

% Who Protest

21% (approximately 21,930 protests filed in 2024)

Ellis 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 Ellis County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Ellis County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed by Ellis Central Appraisal District, whichever is later. The exact deadline is printed on your notice, which ECAD typically mails in April. If you received your notice after April 15, you have 30 days from the mailing date. Missing this deadline means you cannot protest for the 2026 tax year, and your assessed value becomes final.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Ellis County?
Ellis County allows online filing through the Ellis CAD website at www.elliscad.org/file-your-protest. Simply search for your property using the online property search tool, then click on the online protest link to file. The online system provides immediate confirmation that your protest has been filed. You'll need your property account number, which is on your Notice of Appraised Value. Filing online is the fastest and most convenient method, and it's available from the time notices are mailed through the May 15 deadline.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Ellis County?
In Ellis County, the general residence homestead exemption provides at least $40,000 off your home's value for school district taxes, which is state-mandated. Ellis County and other local taxing entities also offer an optional 20% exemption with a minimum of $5,000. For a home valued at $350,000, the school district exemption alone reduces your taxable value by $40,000, potentially saving you over $500 annually in school taxes. You must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 to qualify, and you need to file an application with Ellis CAD.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Ellis County?
At an Ellis County Appraisal Review Board hearing, you present your protest case to a panel of citizen board members appointed to review property valuations. The hearing is typically scheduled in June or July and lasts 15-20 minutes. You'll present evidence such as comparable sales, photos, and property data under oath, and the Ellis CAD appraiser will also present their evidence supporting the assessed value. The ARB panel asks questions and then issues a written decision, usually within a few days. About 73% of protests that reach the ARB stage result in a value reduction.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Ellis County?
In Ellis County, the average property tax reduction from a successful protest is approximately $1,580 per year based on 2025 data. However, savings vary significantly based on your property's overvaluation. For example, if your home is overvalued by $30,000, at Ellis County's effective rate of 1.35%, you're overpaying approximately $405 per year. The savings compound annually if you don't challenge the overvaluation. With a 74% success rate at informal review and 73% at ARB hearings, most Ellis County homeowners who file protests receive some reduction.
What evidence do I need for an Ellis County property tax protest?
For a strong Ellis County property tax protest, gather recent comparable sales of similar homes within 1-2 miles of your property that sold for less than your assessed value in the 12 months before January 1, 2026. Also collect photos documenting any condition issues like foundation problems (common in Ellis County's clay soil), roof damage, deferred maintenance, or functional obsolescence. Include contractor repair estimates showing needed work, and verify your property record for errors in square footage, lot size, or features. An unequal appraisal analysis showing neighboring homes with similar characteristics valued lower than yours is particularly effective in Ellis County.
Can I protest my Ellis County property taxes if my value didn't increase?
Yes, you can protest your Ellis County property taxes even if your value didn't increase from last year. Your protest isn't limited to value increases, you can challenge the overall assessed value if you believe it exceeds your home's actual market value or if similar properties are assessed lower. Many Ellis County homeowners successfully protest by showing unequal appraisal, where comparable homes in their neighborhood are valued significantly lower. Even if your value is capped due to the homestead limitation, you can still protest the appraised market value, which affects your taxes when you sell or if you lose the cap.
What is the success rate for property tax protests in Ellis County?
Ellis County has a 74% success rate at the informal review stage and a 73% success rate at formal ARB hearings, according to 2024 data. This means roughly three out of four property owners who file protests receive some reduction in their assessed value. In 2024, approximately 21,930 protests were filed in Ellis County, about 21% of all parcels, resulting in $41 million in total tax savings. The high success rate is partly due to rapid growth in Ellis County, where the appraisal district may not fully account for individual property conditions, neighborhood factors, or market corrections affecting specific homes.

Official Resources

Ellis Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file protests online, apply for exemptions, and find contact information for Ellis CAD.

Ellis CAD Online Protest Filing Portal →

File your property tax protest online directly through the Ellis County Appraisal District's official portal.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for Texas property tax laws, exemptions, and protest procedures from the Texas Comptroller.

Ellis County Tax Office →

Pay property taxes, check payment status, and access tax rate information for Ellis County.

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

Angelina County (Lufkin)Bastrop County (Bastrop)Bell County (Killeen)Bexar County (San Antonio)Brazoria County (Pearland)Brazos County (Bryan)
← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://www.elliscad.org | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/county-directory/ellis.php | https://resolutepts.com/texas/ellis-county-property-taxes/ | https://www.taxdrop.com/blog/texas-property-tax-protest-deadline-2026 | https://www.ballardpropertytaxprotest.com/county/ellis | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_County,_Texas

Last verified: 2026-07-24