AppealDesk

Kaufman County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 24, 2026

Kaufman County is located in northeastern Texas as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with Kaufman serving as the county seat. The county encompasses approximately 808 square miles and includes major cities such as Terrell, Forney, Kaufman, Crandall, and Kemp. With an estimated 2026 population of 220,057 and a growth rate of 5.32% annually, Kaufman County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. Property tax protests are particularly important here given that the median annual tax bill of $5,156 is significantly higher than the national median of $2,400, and the effective tax rate of 1.74% exceeds the national median of 1.02% by over 70%.

Notable cities: Kaufman, Terrell, Forney, Crandall, Kemp, Combine, Talty, Mabank

Median Home

$256,900

Tax Rate

1.74%

Annual Tax

$5,156

Population

220,057

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

The Texas Property Tax Code requires that protests be filed by May 15 or within 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever date is later. This is an absolute deadline and missing it waives your right to protest for that tax year. For 2026, property value notices are typically mailed in mid-April.

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

How Kaufman County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Kaufman Central Appraisal District (KCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: mid-April

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value with no assessment ratio reduction. This means your assessed value equals your appraised market value before exemptions. For example: If your home's market value is $256,900 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $256,900. After applying the $140,000 school district homestead exemption, your taxable value for school taxes would be $116,900, resulting in approximately $4,470 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.74%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). At your ARB hearing, you'll present your case before a panel of county residents who will hear both your evidence and the appraisal district's justification for the assessed value. The board reviews all evidence presented and issues a binding decision for that tax year only.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives in mid-April 2026, comparing this year's value to last year and to similar properties in your neighborhood.

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Step 2: Gather evidence to support your protest, including comparable sales data for similar properties, photographs documenting your property's condition, repair estimates for any defects, and documentation of any errors in the property description.

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Step 3: File your Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) with KCAD by mail to P.O. Box 819, Kaufman, TX 75142, or in person at 3950 S. Houston Street by the May 15 deadline or within 30 days of your notice date, whichever is later.

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Step 4: Request an informal review with a KCAD appraiser to attempt to resolve your protest before the formal ARB hearing. Many protests are settled at this stage when strong evidence is presented.

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Step 5: If the informal review doesn't resolve your protest, attend your scheduled formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), where you'll present your evidence and arguments for a lower valuation.

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Step 6: Receive the ARB's written decision by email or certified mail. If you disagree with the ARB's determination, you may appeal to state district court, binding arbitration, or the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) depending on your property type and value.

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

Filing Methods

mail:Kaufman Central Appraisal District, P.O. Box 819, Kaufman, TX 75142. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof of delivery.
in-person:3950 S. Houston Street, Kaufman, TX 75142. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
fax/email:Contact KCAD at 972-932-6081 to confirm fax or email submission options. Online filing portal not currently available.

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data for similar properties in your areaPhotographs documenting property condition and defectsContractor repair estimates or inspection reportsDocumentation of property description errorsMarket analysis showing overvaluation

Kaufman County Assessor Contact

Kaufman Central Appraisal District

Phone: 972-932-6081

Address: 3950 S. Houston Street, Kaufman, TX 75142 (Mailing: P.O. Box 819, Kaufman, TX 75142)

Website: https://kaufman-cad.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tax Exemptions in Kaufman County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school districts (effective 2026); local taxing units may offer optional exemptions up to 20% of appraised value

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district taxes

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: April 30 (late filing allowed up to 2 years after delinquency date)

Over-65 Exemption

$60,000 additional for school districts (total $200,000 with general homestead); local option amounts vary by taxing unit

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, includes a school tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at the amount paid when exemption is granted

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older on January 1, own and occupy the property as primary residenceDeadline: April 30 (applies automatically in following year if already receiving general homestead)

Disabled Person Exemption

$60,000 additional for school districts; local option amounts vary by taxing unit

For totally and permanently disabled homeowners, includes school tax ceiling similar to Over-65 exemption

Eligibility: Must meet federal definition of disabled for Social Security disability benefits, own and occupy as primary residenceDeadline: April 30

Disabled Veteran Exemption (Partial)

$5,000 (10-29% rating); $7,500 (30-49%); $10,000 (50-69%); $12,000 (70-100% or age 65+ with 10%+ rating)

Exemption amount based on VA disability rating percentage

Eligibility: Must be Texas resident veteran with VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10%Deadline: April 30 (late filing allowed up to 5 years after delinquency date)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% of appraised value

Total exemption from property taxes on residence homestead

Eligibility: Must receive 100% disability compensation from VA due to service-connected disability or individual unemployability ratingDeadline: April 30

Official Resources

Kaufman Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, download exemption forms, view your current assessed value, and find contact information for KCAD.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource with detailed information on Texas property tax law, exemptions, protests, and appeals procedures.

KCAD Property Search →

Look up your property account, view current and historical values, check exemption status, and access property details online.

Texas Property Tax Protest Forms (Comptroller) →

Download official state forms including Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) and Form 50-114 (Homestead Exemption Application).

Kaufman County Protest Statistics

% Who Protest

20%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a property tax protest in Kaufman County for 2026?
The deadline to file your property tax protest in Kaufman County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed by the Kaufman Central Appraisal District, whichever date is later. Property value notices are typically mailed in mid-April. This is an absolute deadline under Texas law, and missing it permanently waives your right to protest your property value for the 2026 tax year. You should file as soon as you receive your notice to preserve your appeal rights and allow time for the informal and formal hearing process.
How do I file a property tax protest in Kaufman County?
To file a property tax protest in Kaufman County, you must submit a Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) or a written letter of disagreement to the Kaufman Central Appraisal District. Unlike some Texas counties, Kaufman CAD does not currently offer an online filing portal, so you must file by mail to P.O. Box 819, Kaufman, TX 75142, or in person at 3950 S. Houston Street in Kaufman during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). It's recommended to use certified mail with return receipt if mailing your protest to ensure proof of timely delivery before the deadline.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Kaufman County?
For the 2026 tax year, the school district homestead exemption in Kaufman County is $140,000, which was increased from $100,000 following voter approval of Proposition 13 in November 2025. This exemption applies only to school district taxes, which typically represent the largest portion of your property tax bill. Additionally, Kaufman County offers a $15,000 over-65 or disabled exemption, and the City of Kaufman offers local optional exemptions. For a home valued at the county median of $256,900, the $140,000 school exemption reduces your taxable value to $116,900 for school taxes, potentially saving hundreds to over a thousand dollars annually depending on your school district's tax rate.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Kaufman County?
At your ARB hearing in Kaufman County, you'll appear before a neutral panel of county residents who will hear both your case and the appraisal district's defense of the assessed value. The hearing is typically informal, lasting 15-20 minutes, during which you present your evidence such as comparable sales, photos, and documentation of errors or condition issues. The KCAD appraiser will present their valuation methodology and supporting data. After hearing both sides, the ARB deliberates and issues a written decision by email or certified mail, which is binding for that tax year only. You have the right to represent yourself or hire a property tax consultant to attend on your behalf.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Kaufman County?
The amount you can save depends on how much your property value is reduced and your combined tax rate from all taxing entities. In Kaufman County, with an effective tax rate of 1.74%, a $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $174 per year, while a $25,000 reduction saves about $435 annually. For properties in the Crandall and Terrell school districts, which are part of the 2026 reappraisal plan and may see significant value increases, successful protests could save considerably more. About 20% of Kaufman County property owners filed protests in 2023, and many cases are resolved favorably during the informal hearing stage when property owners present strong evidence of overvaluation or unequal appraisal.
What evidence do I need for a successful Kaufman County property tax protest?
The most effective evidence for a Kaufman County property tax protest includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, adjusted for differences in size, age, and condition. You should also gather photographs documenting your property's condition, especially any damage, deferred maintenance, or functional obsolescence. Contractor repair estimates, inspection reports showing needed repairs, and documentation of any errors in the KCAD property description (such as incorrect square footage, extra bathrooms, or amenities you don't have) strengthen your case significantly. For unequal appraisal protests, compile data showing similar properties in your area assessed at lower values per square foot than yours.
Do I need to protest my Kaufman County property taxes every year?
Yes, protesting annually is recommended as each tax year is independent and the ARB's decision only applies to that specific year. In Kaufman County, where property values have been increasing rapidly due to population growth of over 5% annually, your assessed value may increase each year even with the 10% homestead cap. The appraisal district reassesses all properties annually, and properties in the Crandall and Terrell school districts are targeted for field inspections in 2026 as part of the reappraisal plan. By protesting every year, you prevent your assessed value from creeping upward and establish a pattern of fair valuation. Once you're granted homestead and other exemptions, those continue automatically, but you must actively protest the assessed value each year to challenge increases.
Can I still protest if I missed the May 15 deadline in Kaufman County?
Generally, no - the May 15 or 30-day deadline (whichever is later) is absolute for most property owners, and missing it means you cannot protest for that tax year. However, there are limited exceptions: if you were not sent a timely notice of appraised value, if your property was recently purchased and you're a new owner, or if the appraisal district made changes to your property record after the deadline. Exemption applications have different rules - you can file a late homestead exemption application up to two years after the February 1 delinquency date and receive the exemption retroactively, though you'll owe penalty and interest until it's processed. For disabled veteran exemptions, you have up to five years after the delinquency date to file.

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://kaufman-cad.org | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/kaufman-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/texas/kaufman-county | https://www.texastaxprotest.com/trends/kaufman-county-property-tax-protest/

Last verified: 2026-02-24