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Lubbock County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 23, 2026

Lubbock County is located in northwest Texas with its county seat in the city of Lubbock, the 10th most populous city in the state. With a population of approximately 310,000, the county is home to major cities including Lubbock, Slaton, Wolfforth, Shallowater, and Idalou. Property tax protests are particularly important in Lubbock County because homeowners face a significantly higher tax burden than most of the nation—the median annual property tax bill of $3,513 is $1,113 higher than the national median of $2,400, and the county's effective tax rate of 1.86% is substantially above the national median of 1.02%.

Notable cities: Lubbock, Slaton, Wolfforth, Shallowater, Idalou

Median Home

$240,000

Tax Rate

1.86%

Annual Tax

$3,513

Population

310,639

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

The protest deadline in Lubbock County is May 15th or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever date is later. This gives you flexibility if your notice arrives late in the spring. Missing this deadline means you're locked into paying the full assessment for another year with no opportunity to appeal.

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

How Lubbock County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Lubbock Central Appraisal District (LCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May (typically by mid-May)

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as of January 1st each year. This means if your home's market value is $240,000 (close to Lubbock County's median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be the full $240,000. At the county's effective tax rate of 1.86%, this would result in approximately $4,464 in annual property taxes before exemptions. After applying a standard homestead exemption, most homeowners see this amount reduced significantly.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest online, an LCAD appraiser will contact you within 10 days to schedule an informal review. If you can't reach agreement during the informal process, your case proceeds to a formal ARB hearing where you'll present evidence to an independent panel. The ARB will issue a written order with their decision.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value from LCAD when it arrives (typically mailed by April 15 and arrives by mid-May). Compare your property's appraised value to recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood.

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Step 2: File your protest by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later. The online portal at lubbockcad.org is recommended as the fastest method. You'll need to select at least one reason for your protest (typically unequal appraisal or excessive market value).

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Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales data from similar properties in Lubbock County, recent appraisals, photos showing property condition or defects, and repair estimates if applicable. Recent sales of similar properties are the most persuasive evidence.

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Step 4: Attend the informal review with a LCAD appraiser (optional but strongly recommended). You'll be contacted by email within 10 days of filing. This informal meeting often results in settlement offers without needing a formal hearing. Review any settlement offer carefully before accepting.

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Step 5: If the informal review doesn't resolve your protest, present your case to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) at a formal hearing, typically scheduled between May and August. The ARB is an independent panel that hears both your evidence and the district's position.

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Step 6: Receive the ARB's written decision. If successful, your assessed value will be reduced and reflected in your tax bill. If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) or district court within the required timeframe.

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Step 7: For further appeals beyond the ARB, you may file with the State Office of Administrative Hearings or pursue judicial review in district court, though most cases are resolved at the ARB level.

Required form: Online protest form or Notice of Protest (letter of disagreement accepted)

Filing Methods

online:https://lubbockcad.org/ - Use the online inquiry/protest process, which is the fastest and easiest method
mail:P.O. Box 10542, Lubbock, TX 79408-0542
in-person:2109 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar properties in Lubbock CountyRecent independent appraisalPhotos documenting property condition or defectsRepair estimates for needed workProperty data sheet showing incorrect information

Lubbock County Assessor Contact

Lubbock Central Appraisal District (LCAD)

Phone: (806) 762-5000

Address: 2109 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411

Website: https://lubbockcad.org/

Online Portal: https://lubbockcad.org/protest-information

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Tax Exemptions in Lubbock County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$100,000 exemption from school district taxes (increased by Proposition 4). Local taxing units may offer additional amounts.

Available to homeowners who own and occupy their property as their primary residence as of January 1st

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal residence. Cannot claim another homestead exemption in or outside of Texas. Driver's license address must match the homestead property.Deadline: Generally by April 30, but late applications accepted up to one year after the delinquency date

Over-65 Exemption

$60,000 additional school district exemption (state mandated). City of Lubbock offers $16,700 exemption. Tax ceiling freezes school tax amounts.

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, also provides a tax ceiling that prevents school taxes from increasing

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older as of January 1st of the tax year, own and occupy the property as primary residence. Surviving spouse age 55 or older may continue exemption.Deadline: By April 30 of the tax year, or up to one year after delinquency date

Disabled Person Exemption

$10,000 school district exemption. City of Lubbock offers $10,000 exemption. Includes tax ceiling for school taxes.

For homeowners who meet Social Security Administration's definition of disabled

Eligibility: Must qualify for disability benefits under Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, or have physician certification of inability to engage in gainful employment.Deadline: By April 30 of the tax year

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption (total appraised value) on residence homestead

Total property tax exemption on residence homestead for veterans with 100% service-connected disability rating or individual unemployability determination

Eligibility: Must receive 100% disability compensation from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected disability with 100% rating or individual unemployability. Must own and occupy as primary residence.Deadline: Up to five years after the delinquency date for taxes

Disabled Veteran Partial Exemption (10-90%)

$5,000 (10-29%), $7,500 (30-49%), $10,000 (50-69%), or $12,000 (70-99%) based on VA disability rating. Can apply to any one property owned.

Partial exemption based on disability rating percentage

Eligibility: Must be veteran classified as disabled by VA or armed services branch with service-connected disability of at least 10%. Texas resident required.Deadline: By April 30 of the tax year

Official Resources

Lubbock Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file protests online, view your account, and find exemption applications.

LCAD Online Protest Portal →

File your property tax protest online, upload evidence, view comparable properties, and track your protest status.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for understanding Texas property taxes, exemptions, and taxpayer rights.

Texas Comptroller Homestead Exemption Forms →

Download exemption application forms including homestead, over-65, disabled, and disabled veteran exemptions.

Lubbock County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

73%

Avg Reduction

$1,380

% Who Protest

19%

Check Your Lubbock County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a property tax protest in Lubbock County for 2026?
The deadline to file your property tax protest in Lubbock County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. LCAD typically mails notices in April and they arrive by mid-May. If you receive your notice after April 15, you get 30 days from the mailing date shown on the notice. Missing this deadline means you cannot protest your property taxes for 2026 and must wait until the following year, potentially costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in overpayment.
How do I file a property tax protest online with Lubbock CAD?
To file online, visit lubbockcad.org and look for the online protest/inquiry link on the protest information page. You'll need to create a login account if you haven't filed before, then search for your property using the QuickRef number from your Notice of Appraised Value or your name. Select at least one reason for your protest (such as excessive market value or unequal appraisal), provide contact information, and submit the form. You'll receive an email confirmation from no-reply@lubbockcad.org within 24 hours. The online system is the fastest method and allows you to upload supporting documents, view comparable properties, and track your protest status throughout the process.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Lubbock County?
The standard residence homestead exemption in Lubbock County provides $100,000 off your home's value for school district taxes following the passage of Proposition 4. Local taxing entities also offer exemptions—for example, the City of Lubbock provides additional homestead exemptions. If you're over 65, you receive an additional $60,000 school exemption plus a $16,700 exemption from the City of Lubbock, and your school taxes are frozen at that level. For a home valued at $240,000, the homestead exemption can save several hundred dollars annually, with over-65 homeowners seeing even greater savings due to the tax ceiling that prevents school tax increases.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Lubbock County?
At an ARB hearing in Lubbock County, you'll present your case to an independent panel of board members who are not employed by LCAD. The hearing is typically scheduled between May and August after your informal review. You'll have the opportunity to present your evidence—such as comparable sales, photos of your property, or independent appraisals—explaining why your property value should be reduced. An LCAD representative will also present their evidence supporting the appraised value. The ARB panel listens to both sides and issues a written decision, usually within a few weeks. According to recent data, 73% of property owners who appeal to the ARB in Lubbock County receive some form of reduction, with average savings around $1,380 per year.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Lubbock County?
The amount you can save varies based on your property's overassessment, but Lubbock County data shows that successful protests result in average savings of approximately $1,380 per year. If your home is overassessed by $30,000—which is common in today's market—you could save about $558 annually at Lubbock County's 1.86% effective tax rate. Over five years, that's $2,790 in savings. Some homeowners see much larger reductions, particularly when they provide strong comparable sales evidence or identify significant errors in their property records. In 2023, property tax protests in Lubbock County resulted in total tax savings of $37.49 million across all protested accounts, demonstrating the significant financial impact of challenging incorrect valuations.
What evidence do I need for a successful Lubbock County property tax protest?
The most persuasive evidence for Lubbock County protests is recent comparable sales data from similar homes in your specific neighborhood—not citywide averages, but properties within a few blocks that actually sold in the past 6-12 months. LCAD responds well to comps showing lower values than your assessment. Other strong evidence includes photos documenting property defects, foundation issues, needed repairs, or other condition problems the appraiser may have missed. Independent appraisals from licensed Texas appraisers carry significant weight, as do contractor estimates for major repairs. You can also challenge factual errors in LCAD's property data sheet, such as incorrect square footage, wrong number of bathrooms, or overstated quality ratings. The key is showing that your home's market value is lower than LCAD's assessment using objective, verifiable data.
Can I protest my Lubbock County property taxes if I already have a homestead exemption?
Yes, absolutely. Having a homestead exemption does not prevent you from protesting your property's appraised value—in fact, you should pursue both. The homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by a set amount ($100,000 for school taxes), while a successful protest reduces the base appraised value itself. These work together for maximum savings. For example, if your home is appraised at $280,000 and you successfully protest it down to $250,000, that $30,000 reduction applies before your homestead exemption is calculated. With Lubbock County's median tax rate of 1.86%, this would save you approximately $558 annually on top of the savings from your homestead exemption. In fact, 19% of Lubbock County property owners protest their values each year, many of whom already have exemptions in place.
What should I do if I miss the May 15 protest deadline in Lubbock County?
If you miss the May 15 deadline, check the mailing date on your Notice of Appraised Value—if it was mailed less than 30 days ago, you still have time to file since the deadline is May 15 OR 30 days from the notice mailing date, whichever is later. However, if both deadlines have passed, you unfortunately cannot protest for that tax year and will need to pay the assessed amount. You can, however, start preparing for next year's protest by gathering comparable sales data and documenting any property issues now. Make sure to file your exemption applications if you haven't already, as those can provide immediate savings. Mark your calendar for April of next year so you're ready to protest as soon as notices arrive. Some property tax firms will monitor your account year-round and file automatically when notices are issued.

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 →

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← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://lubbockcad.org/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/lubbock-county | https://www.poconnor.com/lubbock-county/ | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://www.lubbockcounty.gov/

Last verified: 2026-02-23