AppealDesk

Victoria County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 25, 2026

Victoria County is located in southeast Texas with Victoria as the county seat, serving as the primary commercial and population center. The county spans 889 square miles with a population of approximately 91,319 as of 2020. Property tax protests are particularly important here as Victoria County's median effective tax rate of 1.42% is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, though it remains below the Texas state median of 1.67%. This higher-than-average tax burden makes protesting your annual assessment a financially prudent decision for local homeowners and commercial property owners alike.

Notable cities: Victoria, Bloomington, Inez, Nursery

Median Home

$180,260

Tax Rate

1.42%

Annual Tax

$2,491

Population

91,319

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your notice of appraised value was mailed, whichever is later

The protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days from the date the appraisal district mails your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. If the appraisal district does not mail a required notice on or before April 15th, the protest deadline will be 30 days after the date printed on the notice. The deadline extends to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or legal holiday.

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

How Victoria County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Victoria Central Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: mid-April to early May

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value, meaning your assessed value equals the full market value determined by the Victoria Central Appraisal District. For example, if your home's market value is $180,260 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $180,260, resulting in approximately $2,560 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.42% before exemptions are applied. Homestead exemptions can significantly reduce your taxable value.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Victoria County ARB hearings are formal proceedings where you present evidence to independent board members. You'll have the opportunity to explain why your property value should be reduced, present comparable sales data, and respond to questions. The ARB granted reductions in 73% of hearings in 2021.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives in April or May. Check the assessed value against recent comparable sales and your property's actual condition.

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Step 2: File your protest by the deadline (May 15, 2026, or 30 days after notice was mailed, whichever is later) using the online portal, mail, fax, or in-person delivery. Include your property information and reasons for protest.

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Step 3: Request evidence from the Victoria Central Appraisal District showing how they determined your property value. They are required to provide this at no cost, typically including comparable sales and property data.

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Step 4: Attend an informal hearing with a Victoria CAD appraiser. Many cases resolve at this stage—about 22% of informal hearings result in reductions. Present your evidence including comparable sales, photos of property condition, and repair estimates.

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Step 5: If the informal hearing doesn't resolve your protest satisfactorily, proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). ARB hearings in Victoria County have a 92% success rate. Present your evidence professionally and factually.

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Step 6: If dissatisfied with the ARB decision, you may appeal to State District Court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's written order. You may also be eligible for binding arbitration or appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) depending on property type and value.

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Step 7: Consider protesting annually, as property values change and the appraisal district cannot accurately value all properties each year without property owner input and corrections.

Required form: Form 50-132, Property Owner's Notice of Protest, or written letter of disagreement

Filing Methods

online:Victoria CAD offers an online e-file system for residential properties located within the City of Victoria. Visit victoriacad.org and look for the Online Protest link. You'll need your Owner ID and PIN number from your appraisal notice.
mail:Mail to: Victoria Central Appraisal District, 2805 N. Navarro St., Suite 300, Victoria, TX 77901. Must be postmarked by the deadline.
fax:Fax to: 361-578-1662. Must be received by the deadline date.
in-person:Deliver to: 2805 N. Navarro St., Suite 300, Victoria, TX 77901 during business hours before the deadline.

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhoodPhotographs showing property condition, defects, or needed repairsIndependent appraisal reportsRepair estimates or inspection reportsProperty characteristic corrections (square footage, age, condition)Unequal appraisal data showing similar properties with lower assessments

Victoria County Assessor Contact

Victoria Central Appraisal District

Phone: 361-576-3621

Address: 2805 N. Navarro St., Suite 300, Victoria, TX 77901

Website: https://victoriacad.org

Online Portal: https://victoriacad.org (look for Online Protest link on Tax Information page)

Tax Exemptions in Victoria County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes (mandatory statewide as of 2026); local taxing units may offer additional exemptions of at least $5,000 or up to 20% of appraised value

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district and potentially other local taxing units

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year. Only one homestead exemption allowed per person in or outside Texas.Deadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 exemption for school district taxes; local taxing units may offer at least $3,000 additional exemption

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

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older by January 1 of the tax year, own and occupy the property as primary residenceDeadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 1 year after the delinquency date)

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 exemption for school district taxes; local taxing units may offer at least $3,000 additional exemption

Additional exemption for homeowners with qualifying disabilities, includes a school tax ceiling that prevents school tax increases

Eligibility: Must qualify as disabled under Social Security Administration guidelines, own and occupy property as primary residenceDeadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 1 year after the delinquency date)

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Ranges from partial exemption to 100% total exemption depending on disability rating percentage

Exemption amount based on disability rating from VA or military branch, can be partial or total exemption

Eligibility: Must be a disabled veteran with a disability rating from the U.S. Veterans Administration or military service branchDeadline: April 30

10% Homestead Cap

Limits appraised value increase to 10% annually plus new improvements

Limits annual increases in appraised value to 10% per year for qualified homesteads (not technically an exemption but provides tax protection)

Eligibility: Automatically applies to properties with homestead exemption from the prior yearDeadline: Automatic with homestead exemption

Official Resources

Victoria Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file exemptions, search property values, and find forms and deadlines for Victoria County.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for understanding Texas property tax laws, exemptions, protest procedures, and property owner rights.

Victoria CAD Property Search →

Look up your property's current assessed value, exemptions, ownership information, and property characteristics online.

Texas Property Tax Protest Forms - Comptroller →

Download Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest), Form 50-114 (Homestead Exemption Application), and other official state property tax forms.

Victoria County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

51% overall success rate at ARB; 22% of informal hearings result in reductions; 92% of formal ARB hearings result in reductions

Avg Reduction

$558

% Who Protest

12% of parcels were protested in 2024

Check Your Victoria County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Victoria County for 2026?
The protest deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date the Victoria Central Appraisal District mailed your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. If your notice was mailed after April 15th, you have 30 days from the mailing date shown on the notice. If the deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it extends to the next business day. Missing this deadline means you forfeit your right to protest for that tax year, so mark your calendar immediately when you receive your appraisal notice.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Victoria County?
Victoria Central Appraisal District offers an online e-file system for residential properties located within the City of Victoria. Visit victoriacad.org and look for the 'Online Protest' link on the Tax Information page. You'll need your Owner ID and PIN number, which are located in the upper right-hand corner of your Notice of Appraised Value. The system allows you to file your protest, upload evidence, and track your case status. After filing, you'll receive email confirmation and can upload supporting documents through the portal. If you're not eligible for e-filing or prefer another method, you can file by mail, fax, or in person.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Victoria County?
For 2026, Texas homeowners in Victoria County receive a mandatory $140,000 school district homestead exemption, which increased from $100,000. Local taxing units in Victoria County may also offer additional exemptions of at least $5,000 or up to 20% of your property's appraised value. If you're 65 or older or disabled, you receive an additional $60,000 school district exemption, for a total of $200,000 in school tax exemptions. For a home valued at $180,260 (the county median), the $140,000 exemption alone saves approximately $1,988 annually in school taxes at typical rates, making it essential that every homeowner applies for this exemption.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Victoria County?
At a Victoria County Appraisal Review Board hearing, you'll present your evidence to independent board members who are separate from the appraisal district staff. The hearing is typically informal but structured—you'll have 15-20 minutes to present your case, show comparable sales, photos, and other evidence supporting a lower value. The appraisal district representative will also present their evidence. Board members may ask questions of both parties. In Victoria County, ARB hearings have an impressive 92% success rate, with 73% of all ARB hearings resulting in value reductions in 2021. After the hearing, you'll receive a written order by mail or email with the board's decision, typically within a few weeks.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Victoria County?
The average Victoria County property owner who successfully protested in 2023 saved $558 per account. However, savings vary significantly based on your property's overassessment. In 2024, property owners collectively saved $11 million through protests. With 8,270 protests filed regarding taxable values and a 51% overall ARB success rate, approximately half of protesters achieved reductions. Informal hearings are less successful (22% reduction rate) but ARB formal hearings achieve reductions 92% of the time. Given the county's effective tax rate of 1.42%, even a $20,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $284 annually. Professional protesters typically achieve larger reductions than self-represented owners.
What evidence do I need for a Victoria County property tax protest?
The most effective evidence includes recent comparable sales (sold within the past 12 months) of similar properties in your neighborhood showing lower prices, photographs documenting property condition issues or needed repairs, independent appraisal reports, contractor repair estimates, and unequal appraisal data showing neighboring homes assessed at lower values. You should request the appraisal district's evidence packet, which they must provide free of charge—this shows what comparables and methods they used to value your property. Property characteristic errors are also powerful evidence if the appraisal district has incorrect square footage, age, condition ratings, or features listed for your home. Present your evidence in an organized manner with clear documentation and calculations showing why your property value should be lower.
Can I protest my Victoria County property taxes if I just bought my home?
Yes, you can and should protest even if you recently purchased your home. In fact, your recent purchase price is strong evidence if you bought the property for less than the appraised value. Texas law does not prevent new owners from protesting. The appraisal district values your property based on market conditions as of January 1 of the tax year, so if you purchased later in the year or if market conditions have changed, you have grounds to protest. Make sure to file by the May 15 deadline or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later. Even if you bought at or above the appraised value, you can still protest based on comparable sales or unequal appraisal showing similar properties assessed lower.
What is the 10% homestead cap and how does it protect me in Victoria County?
The 10% homestead cap is a Texas law that limits how much your property's appraised value for tax purposes can increase each year once you have a homestead exemption. Even if your home's market value increases significantly, your capped appraised value can only increase by 10% per year plus the value of any new improvements you made (excluding normal maintenance and repairs). For example, if your 2025 capped value was $150,000, your 2026 capped value can't exceed $165,000 plus new improvements, even if the market value jumped to $200,000. This protection applies automatically once you have your homestead exemption and continues as long as you own and occupy the home. The cap doesn't apply to market value, only to the appraised value used for calculating your taxes, providing important protection against rapidly rising tax bills in appreciating markets.

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://victoriacad.org | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://www.poconnor.com/victoria-county/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/victoria-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/

Last verified: 2026-02-25