AppealDesk

Hays County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 23, 2026

Hays County is located in Central Texas with San Marcos serving as the county seat. The county includes major population centers such as San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, and Wimberley, with a population of approximately 241,000 as of 2020. Property tax protests are particularly important here because Hays County has one of the highest property tax burdens in Texas, with a median effective tax rate of 1.71% compared to the national average of 1.02%. The median home value in Hays County is $409,280, significantly above the national median, resulting in median annual tax bills of approximately $7,200—three times higher than the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley

Median Home

$409,280

Tax Rate

1.71%

Annual Tax

$7,200

Population

241,000

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the appraisal district sends a notice of appraised value, whichever is later

The protest deadline for homestead properties in Hays County is the later of May 15th or 30 days from the date the appraisal district mails your Notice of Appraised Value. For 2026, assessment notices are expected to be mailed around April 15, 2026, making May 15, 2026 the typical deadline. However, if you receive your notice after April 15, you have 30 days from that mailing date.

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

How Hays County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Hays Central Appraisal District (Hays CAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April through mid-May

In Texas, property is assessed at 100% of its market value, meaning your assessed value equals your market value before exemptions. For example, if your home's market value is $409,280 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $409,280. After applying a standard $100,000 school district homestead exemption, your taxable value would be $309,280, resulting in approximately $6,999 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.71%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you'll first have an informal meeting with a Hays CAD staff appraiser where you can present evidence and negotiate. If no resolution is reached, your case proceeds to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, a panel of county residents who will review your evidence and the district's valuation.

1

Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives (typically mid-April to mid-May). Check for errors in property details like square footage, property type, or condition that could lead to overvaluation.

2

File your Notice of Protest by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days of receiving your notice (whichever is later). Use the online portal at hayscad.com/protest/ for fastest processing, or submit by email to [email protected], mail, or in-person.

3

Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales data from recently sold similar homes in your area, photos documenting property condition or defects, contractor repair estimates for any damage, and an independent appraisal if available.

4

Attend the informal review with a Hays CAD appraiser. This is often the best opportunity to settle your case without a formal hearing. Present your evidence clearly and be prepared to negotiate.

5

If no agreement is reached at the informal level, your case will automatically proceed to a formal hearing before the Hays County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Present your evidence in an organized manner and maintain a professional demeanor.

6

If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can appeal to district court through judicial appeal, request binding arbitration (for properties under $5 million), or appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for certain cases.

7

If you exhaust all administrative remedies and still disagree, you may file a lawsuit in district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's order.

Required form: Notice of Protest (no specific form number required, can be filed online or by letter)

Filing Methods

online:File through the Hays CAD online portal at hayscad.com/protest/ - this is the fastest method and allows for informal appraiser review
email:Submit Notice of Protest via email to [email protected]
mail:Mail to: Hays Central Appraisal District, 21001 N. IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640-4795
in-person:Visit the Hays CAD office at 21001 N. IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640-4795 during business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar properties sold recently in your areaPhotos documenting property condition, damage, or defectsContractor estimates for needed repairs or correctionsIndependent professional appraisal reportDocumentation of property characteristic errors (incorrect square footage, age, condition)

Hays County Assessor Contact

Hays Central Appraisal District

Phone: 512-268-2522

Address: 21001 N. IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640-4795

Website: https://hayscad.com/

Online Portal: https://hayscad.com/protest/

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

Tax Exemptions in Hays County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$100,000 from school district taxes (state-mandated); additional local exemptions vary by jurisdiction

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district taxes and may provide additional local exemptions from cities and counties.

Eligibility: Property owners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence as of January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Over-65 Exemption

$10,000 additional reduction from school district taxes, plus a permanent school tax ceiling; local jurisdictions may offer additional exemptions

Provides additional tax savings for homeowners age 65 or older, including a school tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at the amount paid when the exemption is first received.

Eligibility: Homeowners who are 65 years or older as of January 1 and have a homestead exemptionDeadline: Within one year of turning 65 or acquiring the property if already 65

Disability Exemption

$10,000 additional reduction from school district taxes, plus a permanent school tax ceiling; cannot be claimed simultaneously with Over-65 exemption

Provides tax relief for disabled homeowners with the same benefits as the Over-65 exemption, including a school tax ceiling.

Eligibility: Homeowners who qualify under Social Security Administration disability guidelines and have a homestead exemptionDeadline: Within one year of qualification date

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Varies from $5,000 to $12,000 based on disability percentage (10%-100%); 100% disabled veterans receive full property tax exemption

Provides property tax exemptions based on disability rating for qualifying veterans, their surviving spouses, and certain family members.

Eligibility: Texas veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating, their surviving spouses, and in some cases children of disabled veteransDeadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Official Resources

Hays Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file exemptions, and find official appraisal district information.

Hays County Property Tax Protest Filing Portal →

File your property tax protest online and check the status of filed appeals.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Resources →

Official state resources for understanding property taxes, exemptions, and the protest process in Texas.

Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Office →

Pay property taxes, access tax statements, and find payment deadline information.

Hays County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

78% at ARB level; 80% at informal level

% Who Protest

35%

Check Your Hays County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Hays County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Hays County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date the appraisal district mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. For 2026, Hays Central Appraisal District is expected to mail assessment notices around April 15, 2026, making May 15 the typical deadline for most homeowners. However, if you receive your notice after April 15, you'll have 30 days from the mailing date shown on your notice. Missing this deadline means you forfeit your right to challenge your assessment for that year, so it's critical to file promptly.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Hays County?
To file a property tax protest online in Hays County, visit hayscad.com/protest/ and use the online filing portal. This is the fastest and most efficient method to submit your Notice of Protest. You'll need to create an online account, then complete the electronic filing form. The online system allows you to upload supporting documents and have your protest reviewed informally by a Hays CAD appraiser before a formal hearing. If you cannot create an online account, you can alternatively email your protest to [email protected], though protests submitted by email will be manually entered by staff in the order received.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Hays County?
In Hays County, the general residence homestead exemption provides a minimum $100,000 reduction from school district taxes, which is state-mandated for all Texas school districts. Individual cities and local jurisdictions may offer additional homestead exemptions—for example, the City of San Marcos offers $15,000, while some other cities offer 1% or $5,000 to $10,000. On a median-value home of $409,280 with just the $100,000 school exemption, this could save approximately $1,200 or more annually depending on your school district's tax rate. To maximize savings, homeowners should verify what local exemptions are available from their specific city and county jurisdictions.
What happens at a Hays County ARB hearing?
At a Hays County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing, you'll present your case to a panel of county residents who serve as neutral arbitrators. The hearing is structured but accessible to homeowners representing themselves. You'll have the opportunity to present evidence such as comparable sales data, photos of property condition, repair estimates, and any documentation supporting your claim for a lower valuation. The appraisal district will also present their evidence supporting the current valuation. The ARB will review both sides, ask questions, and issue a written decision typically within a few weeks. The hearing atmosphere is more formal than the informal review, so being organized, professional, and prepared with clear evidence is essential.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Hays County?
The savings from a successful property tax protest in Hays County vary based on your property value and the reduction achieved. In 2024, Hays CAD reported $45 million in total property tax reductions, with informal protests saving homeowners $3 million and ARB hearings saving $7 million. With the county's 1.71% effective tax rate, even a $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $171 annually. For a median-priced home ($409,280), a 10% valuation reduction (about $40,928) would save roughly $700 per year. Success rates are encouraging: 80% of informal protests and 78% of ARB hearings resulted in reductions in 2024, making the protest process worthwhile for most homeowners who believe their property is overvalued.
What evidence do I need for a successful Hays County property tax protest?
For a successful property tax protest in Hays County, you need compelling evidence that your property's assessed value is too high. The most effective evidence includes: (1) comparable sales data from at least 3-5 similar homes sold recently in your area showing lower sale prices, (2) photos documenting property condition issues, damage, or deferred maintenance not reflected in the assessment, (3) contractor estimates for needed repairs or structural problems, (4) an independent professional appraisal if you've had one done, and (5) documentation of any errors in property characteristics like incorrect square footage, lot size, age, or condition ratings. Organize your evidence clearly, focus on objective data rather than opinions about fairness, and be prepared to explain how each piece supports a lower valuation.
Can I still protest if I miss the May 15 deadline in Hays County?
Yes, late protests are allowed in Hays County if you can demonstrate good cause for missing the deadline, but the Appraisal Review Board has sole discretion to decide whether your reason qualifies. Good cause typically means circumstances beyond your control, not simply forgetting or lack of knowledge about the deadline. However, late protests are not permitted after the ARB approves the appraisal records for the year, which typically happens in July. Therefore, if you miss the May 15 deadline, you should file immediately and provide a detailed written explanation of why you missed the deadline. The best strategy is to avoid this situation entirely by filing on time—set calendar reminders when you receive your notice and file your protest as soon as possible.
Do I need to pay my property taxes while my Hays County protest is pending?
Yes, you must pay your Hays County property taxes by the January 31 deadline even if your protest is still pending, or you'll face penalties and interest charges. Texas law requires payment of taxes based on the current assessment while protests are being resolved. If your protest is successful and results in a lower valuation, the Hays Central Appraisal District will notify the Hays County Tax Office, and you'll receive a corrected tax bill with a refund for any overpayment. The refund process is automatic if there's no name change on the account. To avoid delinquency penalties of 6% plus 1% monthly interest, always pay on time even while protesting—the worst outcome is paying based on an assessment you're challenging, then getting money back if you win.

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://hayscad.com/ | https://hayscad.com/protest/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/hays-county | https://www.hayscountytx.gov/tax-assessor-frequently-asked-questions | https://www.poconnor.com/hays-county/

Last verified: 2026-02-23