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Mclennan County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 23, 2026

McLennan County is located in Central Texas with Waco serving as the county seat. The county encompasses approximately 1,060 square miles and includes major cities such as Waco, Woodway, Hewitt, Lorena, and McGregor. With a median annual property tax bill of $3,809, McLennan County residents pay significantly more than the national median of $2,400—a difference of $1,409. The county's effective property tax rate of 1.79% is substantially higher than the national median of 1.02%, making property tax protests particularly valuable for homeowners seeking relief from these elevated tax burdens.

Notable cities: Waco, Woodway, Hewitt, Lorena, McGregor, Crawford

Median Home

$262,928

Tax Rate

1.79%

Annual Tax

$3,809

Population

263,115

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days from receipt of appraisal notice, whichever is later

For most properties, the protest deadline is May 15 or within 30 days of receiving your appraisal notice, whichever date comes later. Residential homestead notices are typically mailed by April 1, while other property notices are sent by May 1. It's critical to file by your specific deadline, as late protests cannot be accepted for the prior tax year.

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

How Mclennan County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: McLennan Central Appraisal District (MCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Texas, property is assessed at 100% of its market value, meaning there is no assessment ratio reduction. If your home's market value is $262,928 (McLennan County's median), your assessed value would be the full $262,928. At the county's effective tax rate of 1.79%, this would result in approximately $4,706 in annual property taxes before any exemptions. This makes understanding your true market value critical, as every dollar of overvaluation directly increases your tax bill.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing, you'll first be invited to an informal meeting with an MCAD appraiser to discuss your concerns and potentially reach agreement. If no resolution is reached, your case advances to a formal ARB hearing where you present evidence to an independent panel that will issue a binding decision on your property's value.

1

Review your appraisal notice carefully when it arrives in April or May, checking for errors in property description, square footage, or features that may inflate your value.

2

Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, photographs documenting property condition or needed repairs, contractor estimates for any damage, and property records showing accurate measurements.

3

File your protest by the deadline using Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) online at mclennancad.org/efile, by mail, in person, or by fax. Include your property details, account number, and reasons for protesting.

4

Attend an informal meeting with a McLennan CAD appraiser to present your evidence and negotiate a value reduction. Many protests are resolved at this stage without proceeding to formal hearing.

5

If the informal meeting doesn't produce satisfactory results, proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), where you'll present your case to an independent panel of citizens.

6

Receive the ARB's written decision. If the property value exceeds $1 million and you disagree with the outcome, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) within 30 days, with a $1,500 deposit required within 90 days.

7

For properties under $1 million, you may pursue binding arbitration or file suit in district court if you disagree with the ARB's final determination.

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

Filing Methods

online:https://mclennancad.org/efile/ - McLennan CAD E-Services Portal
mail:Mail to: McLennan Central Appraisal District, P.O. Box 2297, Waco, TX 76703-2297
in-person:315 S. 26th St., Waco, TX 76710-7400 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
fax:Fax to: 254-752-8225

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar propertiesPhotographs of property condition or damageContractor repair estimatesIndependent appraisalsProperty records showing accurate measurementsDocumentation of property defects or needed repairs

Mclennan County Assessor Contact

McLennan Central Appraisal District

Phone: 254-752-9864

Address: 315 S. 26th St., Waco, TX 76710-7400

Website: https://mclennancad.org

Online Portal: https://mclennancad.org/efile/

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

Tax Exemptions in Mclennan County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$40,000 for school district taxes; optional exemptions up to 20% of value for cities and counties (minimum $5,000)

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for all taxing entities

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. Property must be less than 20 acres and you cannot claim another homestead exemption in or outside Texas.Deadline: April 30 (no absolute deadline, but apply by April 30 for current year benefits)

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $10,000 school district exemption; cities and counties may offer at least $3,000; tax ceiling prevents increases unless improvements made

Additional exemption for homeowners aged 65 or older, includes school tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at current amount

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older as of January 1 of the tax year and occupy the property as primary residenceDeadline: April 30

Disabled Person Exemption

Minimum $10,000; cities and counties may offer additional amounts; includes school tax ceiling

Exemption for homeowners who are disabled as defined by Social Security Administration

Eligibility: Must qualify as disabled under Social Security Act definition and occupy property as primary residenceDeadline: April 30

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Ranges from $5,000 for 10-29% disability to 100% exemption for 100% disabled veterans or unemployable rating

Partial to full exemption based on disability rating from VA or armed services

Eligibility: Must be disabled veteran with VA disability rating; surviving spouses may also qualifyDeadline: April 30

Surviving Spouse of Over-65 Exemption

Maintains same exemption amount and school tax ceiling as deceased spouse received

Allows surviving spouse aged 55+ to maintain deceased spouse's over-65 exemption and tax ceiling

Eligibility: Surviving spouse must be at least 55 years old, deceased spouse must have been 65+ at death, and surviving spouse must continue occupying the homeDeadline: April 30

Official Resources

McLennan Central Appraisal District Official Website →

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

McLennan CAD Online Protest Filing Portal →

File your property tax protest electronically using Form 50-132 and track your protest status online.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Statewide property tax resources, exemption information, and taxpayer rights from the Texas Comptroller.

McLennan CAD Property Search →

Look up your property's appraised value, tax history, exemptions, and property characteristics online.

Mclennan County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

73% for informal protests; 39% for ARB hearings

Avg Reduction

$2,120

% Who Protest

14%

Check Your Mclennan County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a property tax protest in McLennan County for 2026?
The deadline to file your property tax protest in McLennan County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date you receive your appraisal notice, whichever is later. Residential homestead appraisal notices are typically mailed by April 1, while other properties receive notices by May 1. It's critical to meet your specific deadline because once it passes, you cannot retroactively protest that tax year's assessment. To ensure you don't miss the deadline, file as soon as you receive your notice, even if you're still gathering evidence.
How do I file a property tax protest online in McLennan County?
You can file your McLennan County property tax protest online through the McLennan Central Appraisal District's e-filing portal at https://mclennancad.org/efile/. You'll need your property account number from your appraisal notice, contact information, and the reasons for your protest. The online system allows you to submit Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) electronically and track your protest status. Alternatively, you can file by mail to P.O. Box 2297, Waco, TX 76703, in person at 315 S. 26th St., Waco, or by fax to 254-752-8225.
What is the homestead exemption worth in McLennan County?
The general homestead exemption in McLennan County provides at least $40,000 in exemption from school district taxes, which is mandated by state law. Additionally, local taxing entities may offer optional exemptions of up to 20% of your home's appraised value, with a minimum of $5,000. For example, on a home valued at $262,928 (the county median), the school exemption alone reduces your taxable value by $40,000, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars annually. If you're over 65 or disabled, you receive an additional $10,000 school exemption plus a tax ceiling that freezes your school taxes.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board hearing in McLennan County?
An ARB hearing in McLennan County is a formal proceeding where you present evidence to an independent panel of citizens who are not employed by the appraisal district. You'll have the opportunity to explain why you believe your property value is incorrect, present comparable sales, photographs, repair estimates, or other supporting documentation. The appraisal district will also present their evidence supporting their valuation. The ARB panel will consider both sides and issue a written binding decision on your property's value. In 2024, approximately 39% of protests heard by the McLennan County ARB resulted in value reductions.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in McLennan County?
In McLennan County, the average property tax reduction in 2023 was $2,120 per protested account, with total savings of $42.36 million across all protests. Your actual savings depend on how much your property is overvalued and the strength of your evidence. For example, if you successfully reduce your property value by $20,000 at the county's 1.79% effective rate, you would save approximately $358 annually. Success rates are substantial: 73% of informal protests and 39% of ARB hearings resulted in reductions in recent years, making protest efforts worthwhile for most property owners.
What evidence do I need for a successful McLennan County property tax protest?
The most compelling evidence for a McLennan County protest includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your appraised value. You should find homes with matching square footage, age, condition, and features, then make adjustments for differences. Additional strong evidence includes photographs documenting property damage, needed repairs, or inferior condition; contractor estimates for repair costs; independent appraisals; and documentation of any errors in the appraisal district's records such as incorrect square footage or features. The McLennan CAD resolved 73% of informal protests in 2024, showing that solid evidence frequently leads to reductions.
Can I protest my McLennan County property taxes every year?
Yes, you have the right to protest your property taxes in McLennan County every year you receive an appraisal notice. In fact, 14% of McLennan County property owners filed protests in 2024, up from just 9% in 2021, reflecting growing awareness of property tax relief opportunities. Annual protests are particularly important in rapidly changing real estate markets, as property values fluctuate and appraisal districts may overvalue properties based on outdated or incorrect sales data. Even if you protested last year, you should review each year's appraisal notice for accuracy and file again if your value seems excessive or contains errors.
Do I need to hire a company to protest my McLennan County property taxes?
No, you do not need to hire a company to protest your property taxes in McLennan County. The protest process is designed for property owners to handle themselves, and the McLennan Central Appraisal District provides free forms, online filing at mclennancad.org/efile, and guidance throughout the process. Many property owners successfully represent themselves, especially at informal hearings where 73% of protests result in reductions. However, if you prefer professional representation or have a complex commercial property, you can hire a property tax consultant who typically charges a percentage of your tax savings or a flat fee.

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://mclennancad.org | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/mclennan-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/county-directory/mclennan.php | https://bezit.co/texas/mclennan-county-property-tax-guide-homestead-exemption-insights/ | https://www.poconnor.com/mclennan-county/ | https://www.redfin.com/county/2794/TX/McLennan-County/housing-market | https://www.zillow.com/home-values/2429/mclennan-county-tx/

Last verified: 2026-02-23