AppealDesk

Webb County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 24, 2026

Webb County is located in South Texas along the Mexican border, with Laredo serving as the county seat and largest city. The county spans approximately 3,376 square miles with a population of about 267,000 residents. Property tax protests are particularly important in Webb County due to its significantly higher-than-average tax burden—the county's effective property tax rate of 1.54% exceeds the national median of 1.02% by over 50%, and the median annual tax bill of $2,523 is $123 above the national median of $2,400. With the median home value at approximately $178,544, homeowners face substantial property tax obligations, making annual protests a critical strategy for managing costs.

Notable cities: Laredo, Rio Bravo, El Cenizo

Median Home

$178,544

Tax Rate

1.54%

Annual Tax

$2,523

Population

267,114

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later

In most cases, the protest deadline is May 15th. However, if your notice of appraised value is mailed after April 15th for homestead properties (or after May 1st for other properties), you have 30 days from the mailing date to file your protest. The deadline that gives you more time applies. Missing this deadline means you cannot challenge your assessment until the following year.

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

How Webb County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Webb County Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: March-April

Texas law requires properties to be assessed at 100% of their market value. The Webb County Appraisal District determines market value based on what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open market under current conditions. For example, if your home's market value is $178,544 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $178,544 before exemptions. After applying a standard $140,000 homestead exemption, you would pay taxes on $38,544, resulting in approximately $594 in annual school district taxes at a typical rate, plus additional county and city taxes bringing your total annual bill to approximately $2,749 at the county's 1.54% effective rate.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). ARB hearings are relatively informal proceedings where you present evidence supporting your property valuation. You'll have the opportunity to show comparable sales, photographs, and other documentation while the appraisal district presents their case. The ARB panel makes a binding decision for the current tax year based on the evidence presented.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives (typically mailed by April 1st for homesteads). Compare your assessed value to similar properties and recent sales in your neighborhood to determine if your property is overvalued.

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Step 2: File your protest by May 15th or within 30 days of receiving your notice (whichever is later). You can file online through the Webb CAD Public Portal at www.webbcad.org, by mail, or in person at 3302 Clark Blvd. Include your property information and reasons for protest (excessive appraisal value, unequal appraisal, or other grounds).

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Step 3: Gather evidence to support your case, including recent comparable sales of similar properties in Webb County, photographs showing property condition or defects, repair estimates for needed work, and independent appraisals if available. The appraisal district will provide their evidence upon request.

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Step 4: Attend an informal meeting with a Webb CAD appraiser (optional but recommended). About 73% of informal protests in Webb County are successful, with many resolving at this stage. Present your evidence and negotiate directly with district staff before proceeding to formal hearing.

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Step 5: If the informal review doesn't resolve your protest satisfactorily, proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel that hears evidence from both you and the appraisal district, typically scheduled between May and August.

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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. Webb County ARB hearings have an 80% success rate for formal protests.

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Step 7: If dissatisfied with the ARB decision, you may appeal to state district court, binding arbitration, or the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) depending on your property type and circumstances. Judicial appeals provide another opportunity to challenge your valuation.

Required form: Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) or written letter identifying the property, owner, and reason for protest

Filing Methods

online:File through the Webb County Appraisal District's online portal at www.webbcad.org. Create an account on the Public Portal under 'Online Services,' then file your protest electronically with supporting documentation.
mail:Mail written protest to Webb County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 420128, Laredo, TX 78042-8128
in-person:Deliver protest in person to Webb County Appraisal District, 3302 Clark Blvd., Laredo, TX 78043-3346
email:Contact webmaster@webbcad.org for electronic filing options (verify acceptance with the district)

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar properties in Webb CountyPhotographs documenting property condition, defects, or needed repairsIndependent appraisal reports or broker price opinionsRepair estimates or cost documentation for property issuesProperty inspection reports or engineer assessmentsMarket data showing declining values in your area

Webb County Assessor Contact

Webb County Appraisal District

Phone: (956) 718-4091

Address: 3302 Clark Blvd., Laredo, TX 78043-3346

Website: https://www.webbcad.org

Online Portal: https://www.webbcad.org (access Public Portal under Online Services)

Hours: Contact the district at (956) 718-4091 for current office hours

Tax Exemptions in Webb County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school districts (mandatory); up to 20% of appraised value for other taxing units (optional, minimum $5,000)

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district and optional local taxing unit purposes

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

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 for school districts; optional amounts for other taxing units (minimum $3,000); includes school tax ceiling/freeze

Provides additional exemption and freezes school district taxes for homeowners age 65 or older

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older on January 1st of the tax year, own the property, and occupy it as your primary residence. The tax ceiling freezes your school district taxes at the amount from the year you qualify.Deadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after February 1st delinquency date)

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 for school districts; optional amounts for other taxing units (minimum $3,000); includes school tax ceiling/freeze

Provides additional exemption and school tax freeze for disabled homeowners meeting Social Security disability definition

Eligibility: Must meet federal Social Security disability definition, own the property, and occupy it as your primary residence. Includes same tax ceiling benefit as over-65 exemption.Deadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after February 1st delinquency date)

Disabled Veteran Exemptions

Percentage-based on disability rating: 10-30% rating = $5,000-$12,000 exemption; 50-70% = $12,000-$24,000; 80-90% = $24,000-$36,000; 100% or unemployable = total exemption from property taxes

Partial to total exemption based on VA disability rating for disabled veterans

Eligibility: Must be a disabled veteran with a VA disability rating, or surviving spouse of qualifying veteran. Can apply to any property owned by the veteran, not just homestead.Deadline: April 30th (late applications accepted up to 2 years after February 1st delinquency date)

Official Resources

Webb County Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property search, online protest filing, exemption applications, and assessment information directly from Webb CAD.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Comprehensive state resources on Texas property tax laws, protest procedures, exemptions, and taxpayer rights.

Texas Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures →

Official state guidance on filing protests, ARB hearings, deadlines, and appeal options including forms and procedures.

Texas Property Tax Exemptions Guide →

Detailed information on all available Texas property tax exemptions including homestead, over-65, disabled, and veteran exemptions with application forms.

Webb County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

70-80%

Avg Reduction

$6,041

% Who Protest

12%

Check Your Webb County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Webb County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Webb County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days from the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. For most homestead properties, notices are mailed by April 1st, making May 15th the typical deadline. However, if your notice arrives later, you get 30 days from the mailing date. Missing this deadline means you cannot challenge your 2026 assessment and must wait until the following year. It's critical to file your protest promptly upon receiving your notice to preserve your appeal rights and avoid overpaying potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars in property taxes.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Webb County?
Webb County Appraisal District offers online protest filing through their Public Portal at www.webbcad.org. First, create an account under the 'Online Services' tab by registering with your property information. Once logged in, you can file a protest for every property you own through the interactive portal system. The online system allows you to submit your protest, upload supporting documentation such as photographs and comparable sales data, receive value reduction offers from the district, and communicate directly with appraisal staff. The Webb County Chief Appraiser encourages online filing as the most efficient method, stating it provides a 'full-blown interactive module' for managing your entire protest. You can also file by mail to P.O. Box 420128, Laredo, TX 78042-8128, or in person at 3302 Clark Blvd.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Webb County?
The standard homestead exemption in Webb County is now $140,000 for school district taxes as of 2026, following passage of Texas Senate Bill 4 and voter approval of Proposition 13. This exemption applies automatically to all qualifying homestead properties. For a home valued at the Webb County median of $178,544, the $140,000 exemption reduces your taxable value to just $38,544 for school district purposes. At Webb County's 1.54% effective tax rate, this exemption saves homeowners approximately $2,156 annually compared to having no exemption. Senior citizens age 65 and older, plus disabled homeowners, receive an additional $60,000 exemption (total $200,000) and benefit from a school tax ceiling that freezes their school district taxes. Optional local exemptions may also be available from Webb County and the City of Laredo, potentially providing additional savings.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Webb County?
At a Webb County Appraisal Review Board hearing, you present evidence supporting your opinion of your property's value before an independent panel of local citizens. The hearing is relatively informal, and you can appear in person, by phone, by video conference, or through a written affidavit. Both you and the Webb County Appraisal District representative present evidence, which may include comparable sales data, photographs, independent appraisals, and repair cost estimates. The ARB panel reviews all evidence and issues a binding written decision for the current tax year. In Webb County, approximately 80% of formal ARB protests are successful, with property owners achieving an average reduction of $6,041 per account protested. Most hearings last 10-20 minutes and are scheduled between May and August. You can also request an informal hearing with an appraiser before the ARB, which resolves about 73% of protests.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Webb County?
Webb County property owners who successfully protest their property taxes save an average of $6,041 per account according to 2023 data, though actual savings vary based on your property's overassessment. Typical Webb County homeowners save between $800 and $3,200 annually, with some achieving reductions exceeding $5,000 per year depending on how much their property was overvalued. Even a modest $20,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $400-$600 yearly at Webb County's rates. The county's high 1.54% effective tax rate means that assessment reductions translate to substantial tax savings. In 2023, property tax protests in Webb County resulted in total savings of $111.95 million across all protested accounts. With 70-80% of protests achieving some reduction, and 12% of parcels being protested annually, most property owners who file a protest receive meaningful tax relief.
What evidence do I need for a successful Webb County property tax protest?
The most effective evidence for a Webb County property tax protest includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your specific neighborhood or subdivision. Look for homes with similar square footage, age, condition, and features that sold within the past 6-12 months, preferably showing lower per-square-foot values than your assessment. Photographs documenting property condition issues, needed repairs, foundation problems, or functional obsolescence strengthen your case considerably. Obtain repair estimates from licensed contractors for any significant defects like roof damage, HVAC issues, or structural problems. An independent appraisal or broker price opinion from a licensed real estate professional provides strong third-party validation. The Webb County Appraisal District uses mass appraisal methods that can overlook property-specific issues, so detailed property condition documentation is particularly valuable. Present your evidence in an organized format with clear comparisons to your assessed value.
Can I protest my Webb County property taxes every year?
Yes, Texas law allows property owners to protest their property taxes every year, and doing so is highly recommended in Webb County where property values and assessments change annually. Even if you protested last year or received a reduction previously, you can and should protest again if your new assessment appears excessive or unequal compared to similar properties. Webb County property values have been increasing significantly, with residential properties up 6% in 2025 and some commercial properties rising over 28%. The percentage of Webb County parcels being protested rose from 6% in 2020 to 12% in 2024, indicating more homeowners are recognizing the value of annual protests. There is no penalty for protesting, your value cannot be increased solely because you filed a protest, and about 70-80% of Webb County protests achieve some reduction. Annual protests essentially provide free insurance against overpayment, with no cost unless you achieve savings.
What is the difference between an informal hearing and ARB hearing in Webb County?
An informal hearing in Webb County is an optional negotiation meeting with a Webb County Appraisal District staff appraiser that occurs before your formal ARB hearing. About 73% of informal protests in Webb County are successful, with many cases resolving at this stage without needing to proceed to the ARB. The informal process is more conversational and flexible, allowing you to present evidence and negotiate directly with district appraisers who have authority to adjust values. If you reach an acceptable settlement, the process ends there and you avoid a formal hearing. If the informal review doesn't resolve your protest satisfactorily, you proceed to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) for a formal hearing before an independent panel. The ARB hearing is more structured with both sides presenting evidence, and the board issues a binding written decision. In Webb County, 80% of formal ARB protests are successful. Most property tax consultants recommend attempting informal resolution first since it's faster and highly effective.

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://www.webbcad.org | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/webb-county | https://www.poconnor.com/webb-county/ | https://www.taxdrop.com/counties/webb-county-property-tax-protest

Last verified: 2026-02-24