AppealDesk

Taylor County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 25, 2026

Taylor County is located in west central Texas with Abilene serving as the county seat. As of the 2020 census, the county has a population of 143,208, with major cities including Abilene (the largest city with approximately 125,230 residents), Merkel, Tye, Tuscola, Buffalo Gap, Lawn, and Trent. Taylor County property taxes are significantly higher than both state and national averages, with a median effective property tax rate of 2.16%, compared to the Texas state median of 1.67% and the national median of 1.02%. The median annual property tax bill in Taylor County is $3,051, which is $651 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. With a median home value of approximately $148,796, property tax protests are particularly important in Taylor County because homeowners face a substantially higher tax burden than most areas, making even small assessment reductions meaningful for household budgets.

Notable cities: Abilene, Merkel, Tye, Tuscola, Buffalo Gap, Lawn, Trent

Median Home

$148,796

Tax Rate

2.16%

Annual Tax

$3,051

Population

143,208 (2020 census)

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

The protest deadline for 2026 is May 15 or 30 days after the notice of assessed value is mailed to you, whichever date is later. The specific deadline for your property will be printed on your Notice of Appraised Value. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to protest for that tax year.

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

How Taylor County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Taylor Central Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (April-May)

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value, meaning your assessed value equals your appraised market value before exemptions. For example, if your home's market value is $150,000, at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $150,000. At Taylor County's effective tax rate of 2.16%, this would result in approximately $3,240 in annual property taxes before any exemptions. However, with a homestead exemption reducing your taxable value, your actual tax bill would be lower. Understanding this relationship is crucial when protesting your property taxes in Taylor County.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you will first have an opportunity for an informal meeting with a Taylor Central Appraisal District appraiser to discuss your concerns and potentially reach an agreement. If no settlement is reached, your case proceeds to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) at the appraisal district office, where you present evidence and the board makes a final determination immediately after the hearing.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in spring (April-May) and verify the assessed value, property details, and protest deadline printed on the notice.

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Step 2: Gather evidence to support your protest, including comparable sales of similar properties in your area, photos of property condition issues, repair estimates, and any documentation showing errors in the appraisal district's property description.

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Step 3: File your protest before the deadline (May 15, 2026 or 30 days after notice, whichever is later) using the online portal, mail, email, or drop box. Include your property account number and clearly state the reasons for your protest.

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Step 4: Attend an informal hearing with a Taylor County Appraisal District appraiser to discuss your evidence and negotiate a revised value. Many protests are resolved at this stage when strong evidence is presented.

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Step 5: If no agreement is reached at the informal hearing, proceed to a formal hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), where you will present your evidence and the board will make a binding decision on your property's value.

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Step 6: If you disagree with the ARB's decision, you may 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.

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Step 7: For further appeals beyond district court, you may appeal to the Texas Court of Appeals and ultimately to the Texas Supreme Court if necessary, though most cases are resolved at earlier stages.

Required form: Notice of Protest form (included with appraisal notice) or written statement of protest

Filing Methods

online:File through Taylor CAD's Online Services Portal at https://taylor-cad.org/online-services-portal/ (requires registration with Owner ID and PIN from your appraisal notice)
mail:Mail to: P.O. Box 1800, Abilene, TX 79604-1800
email:Email to: arbprotest@cadtx.org
in-person:Drop in drop box at 1534 S. Treadaway Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar properties sold recently in your neighborhoodIndependent appraisal or professional property evaluationPhotographs documenting property condition issues, damage, or needed repairsRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed workDocumentation of errors in property details (square footage, features, age)

Taylor County Assessor Contact

Taylor Central Appraisal District

Phone: (325) 676-9381

Address: P.O. Box 1800, Abilene, TX 79604 (Physical: 1534 S. Treadaway Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602)

Website: https://taylor-cad.org/

Online Portal: https://taylor-cad.org/online-services-portal/

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

Tax Exemptions in Taylor County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes; varies by taxing unit for others

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence, with school districts required to exempt $140,000 and other taxing units offering optional exemptions up to 20% of appraised value (minimum $5,000). Counties providing farm-to-market or flood control taxes must provide a $3,000 exemption.

Eligibility: Property owners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence on January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: April 30

Age 65 or Older Exemption

Minimum $10,000 additional school exemption; tax ceiling freezes school taxes

Provides additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, including a tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at the amount paid in the year you qualified. The ceiling can transfer to a new home in Texas. School districts provide a minimum additional $10,000 exemption.

Eligibility: Homeowners age 65 or older on January 1 who qualify for general homestead exemptionDeadline: April 30 (can apply on or after your 65th birthday)

Disabled Person Exemption

Minimum $10,000 additional school exemption; tax ceiling option available

Available to homeowners who meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled. Provides similar benefits to the over-65 exemption, including a tax ceiling option. Can be combined with over-65 exemption if eligible for both, but not from the same taxing units.

Eligibility: Property owners classified as disabled by the Social Security Administration or Veterans AdministrationDeadline: April 30

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Varies by disability rating: 10-29% = $5,000; 30-49% = $7,500; 50-69% = $10,000; 70-100% = $12,000; 100% or unemployability = full exemption

Provides partial or total property tax exemption based on disability rating from the U.S. Veterans Administration or armed services branch. The exemption amount varies by disability percentage. 100% disabled veterans may receive complete exemption from property taxes on their residence homestead.

Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher from VA or military branch; must be Texas residentDeadline: April 30

Surviving Spouse of Disabled Veteran

Same as the veteran's exemption amount based on disability rating

Surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans may continue to receive the veteran's exemption if they remain unmarried and continue to occupy the property as their primary residence. For 100% disabled veterans, the surviving spouse receives the full exemption.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse who has not remarried and still occupies the property; must provide proof of veteran's death and disabilityDeadline: April 30

Official Resources

Taylor Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file exemptions and protests online, view assessment notices, and find official forms and resources.

Taylor County Appraisal District Online Services Portal →

Create an account to file property tax protests electronically, submit exemption applications, and manage your property tax matters online.

Taylor County Property Search Tool →

Look up property information, assessment history, and property details by owner name, address, or property ID.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for Texas property tax laws, exemption requirements, forms, publications, and homeowner rights information.

Taylor County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

60%

Avg Reduction

$1,206

Check Your Taylor County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Taylor County for 2026?
The deadline to protest your property taxes in Taylor County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to you, whichever date is later. The specific deadline for your property will be printed on your appraisal notice. It's critical to file before this deadline because once it passes, you lose your right to protest your property's assessed value for that entire tax year, and you'll have to wait until the following year to challenge it. If you're uncertain about your deadline, contact Taylor Central Appraisal District at (325) 676-9381 to confirm the exact date for your property.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Taylor County?
To file a property tax protest online in Taylor County, visit the Taylor Central Appraisal District's Online Services Portal at https://taylor-cad.org/online-services-portal/. You'll need to create an account using your Owner ID and PIN, which are located at the top of your Notice of Appraised Value or the accompanying letter. Once registered and logged in, you can electronically file your protest through the portal. The online system allows you to submit your protest, upload supporting evidence, and track your case status. If you need your Owner ID or PIN, call the customer service department at (325) 676-9381 to request the information be sent to you, but note that your deadline won't be extended while you're waiting for this information.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Taylor County?
In Taylor County, the homestead exemption provides significant tax savings with school districts required by Texas law to exempt $140,000 of your home's assessed value. For example, if your home is valued at $200,000 and you have the homestead exemption, you'll only pay school taxes on $60,000 of that value. Additionally, other taxing entities like the county and city may offer optional exemptions of up to 20% of your property's appraised value (with a minimum of $5,000). Counties providing farm-to-market or flood control taxes must offer a $3,000 exemption. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year. The application deadline is April 30, and you can apply online through Taylor CAD's portal, by mail, or in person.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Taylor County?
An Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Taylor County is a formal proceeding held at the Taylor Central Appraisal District office located at 1534 S Treadaway Blvd in Abilene. During the hearing, you'll present your evidence to an independent board of citizens who will review your case, including comparable sales data, photographs, repair estimates, or documentation of errors in the appraisal district's records. The appraisal district will also present their evidence supporting the assessed value. Both sides have the opportunity to explain their positions, and the ARB members may ask questions to clarify information. At the end of the hearing, the ARB will immediately inform you of their final determination regarding your property's value. The board has the authority to increase, decrease, or maintain your property's assessed value based on the evidence presented. If you're unable to attend in person, you may participate by phone if pre-scheduled or through a designated agent.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Taylor County?
According to 2023 data, property tax protests in Taylor County resulted in average savings of $1,206 per account protested, with approximately 60% of property owners who appealed successfully achieving a reduction in their assessed value. The total property tax savings for all protests in 2023 was $10.29 million across the county. Your individual savings will depend on several factors, including how much your property is over-assessed, the strength of your evidence, and the quality of comparable sales data you present. With Taylor County's effective tax rate of 2.16%, even a $10,000 reduction in your assessed value would save you approximately $216 annually in property taxes. Over time, these savings compound because a lower assessed value this year provides a lower baseline for future assessments, especially if you have a homestead exemption protecting you with the 10% annual cap on assessed value increases.
What evidence do I need for a successful Taylor County property tax protest?
To build a strong protest case in Taylor County, you need compelling evidence that demonstrates your property's assessed value is too high compared to its actual market value. The most effective evidence includes recent sales data from at least three to five comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold within the past 6-12 months, with similar square footage, age, condition, and features to your home. You should also provide photographs documenting any property condition issues such as foundation cracks, roof damage, outdated systems, or deferred maintenance. Repair estimates from licensed contractors showing the cost to fix problems can strengthen your case. Additionally, gather documentation of any errors in the appraisal district's records, such as incorrect square footage, wrong number of bathrooms, or features your property doesn't actually have. An independent professional appraisal, while more expensive, can also provide credible third-party support for your opinion of value. The key is presenting factual, documented evidence rather than subjective opinions about your property's worth.
Can I protest my Taylor County property taxes if my value didn't increase this year?
Yes, you can and should protest your Taylor County property taxes even if your assessed value didn't increase from the previous year. Texas law allows property owners to protest annually regardless of whether their value changed. Many properties in Taylor County are consistently over-assessed, meaning the valuation was too high in previous years and remains too high even without an increase. If market conditions have softened, comparable sales in your area have declined, or you have new evidence of property condition issues, you have valid grounds to protest for a reduction. Additionally, market values may have decreased in your neighborhood while your assessment stayed flat, meaning you're now relatively over-assessed compared to current market conditions. With a 60% success rate for protests in Taylor County and average savings of $1,206 per account, protesting annually is a smart financial strategy even when your value appears stable, especially considering there's no cost to file a protest with the appraisal district.
What are the next steps if I disagree with the ARB decision in Taylor County?
If you disagree with the Appraisal Review Board's decision in Taylor County, you have several appeal options depending on your property value and desired approach. For properties valued under $3 million, you can appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for binding arbitration, which provides a relatively quick and less formal process with a hearing conducted by an administrative law judge. Alternatively, you can file a judicial appeal in district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's written order, which allows for a trial de novo (completely new trial) where the court will consider all evidence. District court appeals are more formal and may involve attorney representation, but they provide a full legal proceeding. If you proceed through district court and still disagree with the outcome, you can further appeal to the Texas Court of Appeals and potentially to the Texas Supreme Court, though most cases are resolved at earlier stages. Each level of appeal has specific deadlines and procedural requirements, so it's important to act quickly and consider consulting with a property tax professional or attorney to evaluate your options.

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://taylor-cad.org/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/taylor-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_County,_Texas | https://www.poconnor.com/taylor-county/

Last verified: 2026-02-25