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Wichita County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 25, 2026

Wichita County is located in North Texas with its county seat in Wichita Falls, the largest city and primary population center. The county encompasses 628 square miles with a population of approximately 129,350 as of the 2020 census. Property tax protests are particularly important in Wichita County because the effective property tax rate of 1.77-1.79% is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02% and above the Texas state average of 1.40%, meaning homeowners face a heavier tax burden than most Americans. With median annual tax bills ranging from $2,023 to $2,501 depending on location within the county, residents can potentially save hundreds of dollars annually by protesting inflated assessments, with success rates reaching 88-90% for informal protests.

Notable cities: Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra

Median Home

$141,600

Tax Rate

1.77%

Annual Tax

$2,501

Population

129,350

On the typical Wichita County home, valued near $141,600 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.77%, 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 receiving your Notice of Appraised Value, 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 deadline is printed on your Notice of Appraised Value. In most cases, you have until May 15 or 30 days from the date the appraisal district mails your notice, whichever date is later. For 2026, if you receive your notice after April 15, you have 30 days from the delivery date to file your protest. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to challenge your assessed value for that tax year.

See if your Wichita County home is over-assessed

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

How Wichita County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Wichita County Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May (typically by mid-May)

In Texas, all taxable property is appraised at its market value as of January 1 each year. Wichita County uses a 100% assessment ratio, meaning your assessed value equals your full market value with no reduction. For example, if your home's market value is $141,600 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $141,600. After applying the $140,000 school district homestead exemption, you would pay taxes on approximately $1,600 for school taxes plus your full value for other taxing entities, resulting in approximately $2,501 in annual property taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.77%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). At your ARB hearing, you will present your case to a panel of appointed board members who are independent from the appraisal district. The hearing is informal, and you can present evidence, testify, and call witnesses. The appraisal district will also present their case for the appraised value. The ARB will issue a written order with their decision, typically within a few weeks of the hearing.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value immediately upon receipt. The notice contains your property's appraised value, the protest deadline date, and filing instructions. If you haven't received your notice by mid-May, contact the Wichita Appraisal District at (940) 322-2435 to request one.

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Step 2: Gather evidence to support your protest, including comparable sales of similar properties that sold for less, photographs documenting property condition issues, repair estimates for needed work, and documentation of any factors that negatively affect your property's value. Texas Tax Protest and other firms recommend using adjusted comparable sales data specific to your neighborhood.

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Step 3: File your protest by the deadline using Form 50-132 (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) or a written statement through the online portal at portal.wadtx.com, by mail to P.O. Box 5172, Wichita Falls, TX 76307, by email to cs@wadtx.com, or in person at 600 Scott Ave, 3rd Floor. Keep proof of filing such as confirmation, stamped copy, or certified mail receipt.

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Step 4: Participate in an informal review (optional but recommended). After filing, the appraisal district may offer an informal meeting with an appraiser to discuss your protest. This is your opportunity to present evidence and potentially reach an agreement without going to a formal hearing. In Wichita County, 88% of informal protests for residential properties succeeded in 2024.

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Step 5: Attend your formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing if the informal review does not resolve your protest. You will receive a Notice of Protest Hearing letter at least 15 days before your scheduled hearing date. Present your evidence to the ARB panel, who will make a binding decision for that tax year. The ARB success rate for residential properties is approximately 64% in Wichita County.

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Step 6: If dissatisfied with the ARB decision, you may appeal to State District Court in Wichita County within 60 days of receiving the ARB order. You can also pursue binding arbitration for properties valued under $5 million as an alternative dispute resolution method.

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Step 7: For properties meeting specific criteria (typically commercial properties valued over $1 million), you may also appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) as an alternative to district court, though this option has specific eligibility requirements.

Required form: Form 50-132 (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) or a written statement expressing disagreement

Filing Methods

online:File through the Wichita AD Taxpayer Online Portal at https://portal.wadtx.com/ (requires creating an account)
mail:Mail to: Wichita Appraisal District, P.O. Box 5172, Wichita Falls, TX 76307-5172
in-person:Deliver to: 600 Scott Ave, 3rd Floor, Wichita Falls, TX 76301 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM)
email:Email to: cs@wadtx.com

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data showing similar properties sold for lessPhotographs documenting property condition, defects, or needed repairsRepair estimates or contractor bids for significant issuesEvidence of unequal appraisal compared to similar propertiesDocumentation of income loss for commercial propertiesMarket analysis reports or professional appraisals

Wichita County Assessor Contact

Wichita County Appraisal District

Phone: (940) 322-2435

Address: 600 Scott Ave, 3rd Floor, Wichita Falls, TX 76301 (Mailing: P.O. Box 5172, Wichita Falls, TX 76307-5172)

Website: https://wadtx.com/

Online Portal: https://portal.wadtx.com/

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

Tax Exemptions in Wichita County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 off school district taxable value (increased from $100,000 in 2026 under Proposition 13)

The mandatory school district homestead exemption for all Texas homeowners who occupy their property as a primary residence.

Eligibility: Any homeowner who uses the property as their principal residence as of January 1 of the tax year. Must own and occupy the home.Deadline: April 30 (late applications accepted for up to two years)

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 off school district taxable value (combined with general homestead for $200,000 total), plus local optional exemptions and a permanent school tax ceiling

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, includes a school tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at the amount paid in the year of qualification.

Eligibility: Homeowners who are 65 years of age or older as of January 1 of the tax year and have a homestead exemption on file.Deadline: Before May 1, but can be filed anytime during the year of eligibility

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 off school district taxable value (combined with general homestead for $200,000 total), plus local optional exemptions and a permanent school tax ceiling

Exemption for homeowners who qualify as disabled under federal Social Security disability standards, includes the same school tax ceiling as over-65.

Eligibility: Homeowners who are classified as disabled for purposes of Social Security disability benefits. Must provide documentation.Deadline: Before May 1, but can be filed anytime

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$5,000 (10-29% rating), $7,500 (30-49%), $10,000 (50-69%), $12,000 (70-100%), or 100% full exemption for veterans rated 100% disabled or receiving Individual Unemployability (IU)

Graduated exemption based on VA disability rating percentage, ranging from partial to full property tax exemption.

Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA, or their surviving spouses. Must be a Texas resident and provide VA rating letter.Deadline: Before May 1, but can be filed anytime (disabled veterans have up to five years to file retroactively)

Surviving Spouse of Service Member Exemption

100% exemption on residence homestead

Full property tax exemption for surviving spouses of U.S. armed forces members killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse of a U.S. armed service member killed or fatally injured in the line of duty. Exemption remains as long as spouse does not remarry.Deadline: Before May 1

Optional County/City Exemptions

Varies by taxing entity; minimum $5,000 even if 20% is less

Local taxing units may offer additional optional exemptions up to 20% of home value.

Eligibility: All homestead property owners; amount varies by county, city, and special district.Deadline: Before May 1 (typically included with general homestead exemption application)

Wichita County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

88% for informal protests, 64% for ARB hearings

Avg Reduction

$849

% Who Protest

5% (as of 2024, up from 4% in 2020)

Wichita County Protest Packet · $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Wichita County for 2026?
The protest deadline for Wichita County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. The exact deadline is printed on your notice, so review it immediately upon receipt. If you receive your notice after April 15, 2026, you have 30 days from the delivery date to file your protest. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to challenge your assessed value for the entire 2026 tax year, so it's critical to act quickly once you receive your appraisal notice.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Wichita County?
You can file your property tax protest online through the Wichita County Appraisal District's Taxpayer Online Portal at https://portal.wadtx.com/. You will need to create an account if you don't already have one, which requires basic information about yourself and your property. Once logged in, you can e-file your protest, upload supporting documentation such as comparable sales and photos, and track the status of your protest throughout the process. The online system also allows you to view your property details, review communications from the appraisal district, and manage exemption applications, making it the fastest and most convenient filing method available.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Wichita County?
The general residence homestead exemption in Wichita County removes $140,000 from your home's value for school district tax purposes, which typically saves homeowners between $1,300 and $1,650 annually on school taxes alone. If you're age 65 or older or disabled, you receive an additional $60,000 school district exemption for a combined $200,000 off school taxes, plus a permanent tax ceiling that freezes your school tax bill at the amount paid in your qualification year. Local taxing entities in Wichita County may also offer optional exemptions up to 20% of your home's value (minimum $5,000), which can add several hundred dollars more in annual savings depending on your property value and location.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Wichita County?
At an ARB hearing in Wichita County, you will present your case to a panel of independent board members appointed to hear property tax protests. The hearing is relatively informal, and you'll have the opportunity to present your evidence, which may include comparable sales, photographs of your property, repair estimates, and any other documentation supporting your claim that the appraisal is too high. The appraisal district will also present their case defending the appraised value. You can testify, call witnesses, and ask questions of the appraisal district's representative. After hearing both sides, the ARB will make a decision and issue a written order, typically within a few weeks. In Wichita County, approximately 64% of residential ARB protests are successful in achieving some reduction.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Wichita County?
According to data from property tax protest firms serving Wichita County, successful protests result in an average property tax reduction of approximately $849 per year, with homeowners achieving an average 5% reduction in their appraised value. In 2024, residential property owners in Wichita County saved $440,000 through informal protests and an additional $60,000 through formal ARB protests combined. Individual savings vary based on your property's original appraised value, the strength of your evidence, and whether you participate in informal or formal proceedings. Success rates are high in Wichita County, with 88% of informal protests and 64% of ARB hearings resulting in reductions, making it worthwhile to protest even if you believe your value is only slightly inflated.
What evidence do I need for a successful Wichita County property tax protest?
The most compelling evidence for a Wichita County property tax protest includes comparable sales data showing that similar properties in your neighborhood recently sold for less than your appraised value, photographs documenting any defects or condition issues with your property, and repair estimates from licensed contractors for any significant problems. You should focus on properties that are truly comparable in size, age, condition, and location, and be prepared to explain any differences. Additional strong evidence includes documentation of unequal appraisal showing that similar homes in your area are assessed at lower values, evidence of declining market conditions, or income and expense statements for commercial properties. The Wichita County Appraisal District and ARB base their decisions on market data and factual evidence, so generic complaints about high taxes or property values rising too fast will not support a successful protest.
Can I protest my Wichita County property taxes if I just bought my home?
Yes, you absolutely can protest your Wichita County property taxes even if you recently purchased your home, and your purchase price can be strong evidence that the appraisal is too high. The appraisal district may have valued your property higher than what you actually paid, or market conditions may have shifted since your purchase. All Wichita County property owners, whether long-time residents or new buyers, are eligible to file a protest each year. Your recent sale price is often considered the best evidence of market value, especially if the sale was an arm's-length transaction and occurred close to the January 1 assessment date. If your purchase price is lower than the appraised value, bring your closing statement and be prepared to explain that the sale was a fair market transaction.
Should I attend the informal review or go straight to the ARB hearing in Wichita County?
You should definitely participate in the informal review process before going to a formal ARB hearing in Wichita County, as 88% of informal protests succeeded for residential properties in 2024 compared to 64% at the formal ARB level. The informal review gives you an opportunity to meet directly with an appraiser, present your evidence in a more relaxed setting, and potentially reach an agreement without the time and formality of a hearing. Many protests are resolved at the informal stage, saving you time and effort. If you're not satisfied with the informal review outcome, you can still proceed to a formal ARB hearing, so there's no downside to trying the informal process first. In fact, going through the informal review may help you refine your evidence and presentation before the ARB.

Official Resources

Wichita County Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property information, forms, FAQs, exemption applications, and official information from the Wichita County Appraisal District.

Wichita County Taxpayer Online Portal →

File your property tax protest online, view your property details, manage exemption applications, and track the status of your appeal through the official portal.

Wichita County Property Search →

Search and view property records, appraisals, ownership information, and exemption status for any property in Wichita County.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official state resource for Texas property tax laws, exemption information, protest procedures, and property owner rights under the Texas Property Tax Code.

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

Angelina County (Lufkin)Bastrop County (Bastrop)Bell County (Killeen)Bexar County (San Antonio)Brazoria County (Pearland)Brazos County (Bryan)
← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://wadtx.com/ | https://portal.wadtx.com/ | https://www.poconnor.com/wichita-county/ | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/texas/wichita | https://calcuris.com/us/property-tax-calculator/texas/wichita-county/ | https://propertytaxrates.org/exemptions/texas/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/wichita-county

Last verified: 2026-07-25