San Patricio County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 25, 2026

San Patricio County is located in South Texas along the Gulf Coast, with Sinton serving as the county seat. Major population centers include Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Mathis, Odem, Taft, and Gregory. Property tax protests are critically important here because San Patricio County has one of the highest effective property tax rates in Texas at 1.88%, significantly exceeding both the state median of 1.67% and the national median of 0.99%. With a median home value of $177,138 and an effective tax rate of 1.88%, the median annual property tax bill reaches $3,126, which is $726 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

Notable cities: Sinton, Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Mathis, Odem, Taft, Gregory

Median Home

$177,138

Tax Rate

1.88%

Annual Tax

$3,126

Population

68,755

On the typical San Patricio County home, valued near $177,138 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.88%, 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 delivered, 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 mailing date. The specific deadline for your property is printed on your notice. Always check the mailing date on your notice to determine your actual deadline.

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

How San Patricio County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: San Patricio County Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

Texas law requires all properties to be assessed at 100% of market value as of January 1 each year. In San Patricio County, your assessed value equals your market value. For example, if your home's market value is $177,138 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $177,138, resulting in approximately $3,330 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.88% before exemptions.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you'll receive notification of your hearing date. At the hearing, you'll present evidence to either appraisal district staff (informal) or the ARB (formal). The informal hearing offers a quicker resolution with an 83% success rate in San Patricio County in 2024, while formal ARB hearings provide a more structured review process with a 57% success rate (2024).

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives in April-May. Note the property's appraised value and your protest deadline (May 15, 2026, or 30 days from mailing date, whichever is later).

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Step 2: File your protest before the deadline using Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or a letter of disagreement. You can file online at https://eprotest.sanpatcad.org/, by mail to P.O. Box 938, Sinton, TX 78387-0938, in person at 1301 E. Sinton St. Suite B, or by email to sanpatarb@sanpatcad.org.

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Step 3: Gather evidence to support your protest including comparable sales from the past 12 months (properties similar to yours that sold for less), photos showing property condition issues or needed repairs, contractor repair estimates, and any documentation of unequal appraisal compared to similar properties.

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Step 4: Attend an informal review (optional) with the appraisal district staff to present your evidence and negotiate a settlement. San Patricio CAD reported 83% success rate at informal hearings in 2024. If you reach an agreement, the process ends here.

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Step 5: If informal review does not resolve your protest, attend your formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Present your evidence professionally and explain why your property is overvalued. The ARB will issue a written determination. San Patricio County had a 57% success rate at formal ARB hearings in 2024.

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Step 6: If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for binding arbitration (for properties under $3 million) or file a judicial appeal in district court (for any property value). These appeals must be filed within specific timeframes after the ARB order.

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

Filing Methods

online:San Patricio CAD Taxpayer Portal at https://eprotest.sanpatcad.org/ - You'll need your property information and PIN from your notice
mail:San Patricio County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 938, Sinton, TX 78387-0938 - Must be postmarked by deadline
in-person:1301 E. Sinton St. Suite B, Sinton, TX 78387 - Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
email:sanpatarb@sanpatcad.org for protest-related inquiries and submissions

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from the past 12 months showing similar properties that sold for lessPhotographs documenting property condition issues, needed repairs, or functional obsolescenceContractor repair estimates for documented damage or deferred maintenanceUnequal appraisal analysis showing similar properties assessed at lower valuesProperty inspection reports or appraisals from licensed professionals

San Patricio County Assessor Contact

San Patricio County Appraisal District

Phone: (361) 364-5402

Address: P.O. Box 938, Sinton, TX 78387-0938 (Physical: 1301 E. Sinton St. Suite B, Sinton, TX 78387)

Website: https://sanpatcad.org/

Online Portal: https://eprotest.sanpatcad.org/

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

Tax Exemptions in San Patricio County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes (increased from $100,000 following voter approval of Proposition 13 in November 2025)

Mandatory exemption for owner-occupied primary residences that reduces the taxable value for school district taxes.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year. Apply using Form 50-114.Deadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years)

Over-65 or Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 for school district taxes (combined $200,000 with general homestead), plus optional local exemptions and tax ceiling

Additional exemption for homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled, stacking on top of the general homestead exemption.

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older as of January 1 of the tax year, or qualify as disabled under Social Security Administration guidelines. Property must be your residence homestead.Deadline: Before May 1, or within one year of qualification

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Ranges from $5,000 (10-29% disability) to 100% exemption (100% disability rating or unemployable). Apply using Form 50-135.

Exemption amount based on disability rating issued by the U.S. Veterans Administration or military branch.

Eligibility: Must be a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rating, or surviving spouse of a disabled veteran. Property must be primary residence.Deadline: Before May 1

Optional Local Homestead Exemptions

Up to 20% of appraised value with a minimum of $5,000, varies by local taxing unit

County, city, and other local taxing units may offer additional homestead exemptions.

Eligibility: Must have general residence homestead exemption approved. Automatically applied if local taxing unit has adopted the optional exemption.Deadline: Same as general homestead exemption application

San Patricio County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

83% at informal hearings, 57% at formal ARB hearings (2024)

Avg Reduction

$2,320

% Who Protest

12% (2024, up from 10% in 2020)

San Patricio County Protest Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in San Patricio County for 2026?
The protest deadline in San Patricio County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. For residence homesteads, the appraisal district must mail notices by April 1 or as soon as practicable thereafter. Always check the specific deadline printed on your notice, as it controls your filing window. If your notice was mailed after April 15, you'll have 30 days from that mailing date, which could extend your deadline beyond May 15. Missing this deadline forfeits your right to protest for the entire 2026 tax year.
How do I file a property tax protest online in San Patricio County?
San Patricio County offers online protest filing through the San Patricio CAD Taxpayer Portal at https://eprotest.sanpatcad.org/. You'll need your property information and the PIN number from your Notice of Appraised Value to access the system. The online portal allows you to file your protest, upload supporting evidence, view property details, track your protest status, and communicate with the appraisal district. The system must receive your protest before midnight on your deadline date. After filing online, you'll receive confirmation and subsequent hearing notices through the portal or by mail.
What is the homestead exemption worth in San Patricio County in 2026?
In San Patricio County for 2026, the school district homestead exemption 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, not city or county taxes. For a home valued at the county median of $177,138, the $140,000 school exemption alone can save approximately $1,400 annually in school taxes. Local taxing units may also offer optional homestead exemptions of up to 20% of your property's appraised value with a minimum of $5,000. Homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled receive an additional $60,000 exemption for school district taxes, bringing their total school exemption to $200,000.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in San Patricio County?
At an ARB hearing in San Patricio County, you'll present your evidence to a panel of impartial board members who will decide whether your property's appraised value should be reduced. The hearing is typically informal but follows a structured process where you explain why you believe your property is overvalued, present comparable sales data, photos, or other evidence, and answer any questions from the board members. The appraisal district representative may also present their evidence supporting the current valuation. After both sides present, the ARB will deliberate and issue a written determination, usually within a few days. In San Patricio County, the formal ARB hearing success rate was 57% in 2024, compared to 83% at informal hearings.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in San Patricio County?
In San Patricio County, property tax protests resulted in average savings of $2,320.54 per account protested in 2023, with total savings reaching $17.78 million across all protests filed. In 2024, total tax savings increased dramatically to $54.63 million countywide. The actual savings depend on how much your property value is reduced and your specific tax rate. For example, if you successfully reduce your home's assessed value by $10,000 and your effective tax rate is 1.88%, you would save approximately $188 per year. With San Patricio County's high success rates, 83% at informal hearings and 57% at formal ARB hearings, protesting offers a strong opportunity for meaningful tax reduction.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax protest in San Patricio County?
The strongest evidence for a San Patricio County property tax protest includes comparable sales data from the past 12 months showing similar homes in your area that sold for less than your appraised value. You should also gather high-quality photographs documenting any property condition issues, needed repairs, or functional obsolescence that may reduce your home's market value. Contractor repair estimates for documented damage or deferred maintenance provide concrete dollar amounts to support your case. An unequal appraisal analysis comparing your assessment to similar properties can demonstrate if you're being taxed unfairly relative to your neighbors. Professional appraisals from licensed appraisers carry significant weight but are not required for a successful protest.
Should I attend the informal hearing or go straight to the ARB in San Patricio County?
You should definitely attend the informal hearing first in San Patricio County, as the informal process had an 83% success rate in 2024 compared to 57% at formal ARB hearings. The informal review allows you to meet directly with appraisal district staff to present your evidence and negotiate a settlement in a less formal setting. Many protests are resolved at this stage, saving you time and avoiding the need for a formal hearing. If you and the appraisal district reach an agreement during the informal review, your case is settled and you avoid the formal ARB process entirely. Only if the informal review doesn't resolve your protest satisfactorily should you proceed to the formal ARB hearing, which you have the right to request.
Can I protest my San Patricio County property taxes even if I have a homestead exemption?
Yes, absolutely, you can and should protest your San Patricio County property taxes even if you have a homestead exemption in place. The homestead exemption and property tax protest serve different purposes and work together to minimize your tax bill. The homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by $140,000 for school district taxes (plus any local optional exemptions), while a successful protest reduces your overall appraised market value. These savings stack together for maximum benefit. For example, if your home is valued at $250,000 and you successfully protest it down to $230,000, you'll save on the $20,000 reduction, and the homestead exemption will then apply to the lower $230,000 value, compounding your savings across all taxing entities.

Official Resources

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

Sources: https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/texas/san-patricio | https://sanpatcad.org/ | https://www.poconnor.com/san-patricio-county/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/san-patricio-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/

Last verified: 2026-07-25