Find the right Texas appraisal district task without confusion
Use practical guides, official-source shortcuts and simple tools to understand property search, homestead exemption, appraisal protest, CAD records and property tax bill questions in Texas.
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Use Free Tools Browse County GuidesTip: Search by county name, CAD name, property search, exemption or protest topic.
What are you trying to do?
Choose the closest task below. This homepage is designed to route users to the correct office, correct guide and correct next action.
Find my county CAD
Start with a county guide for appraisal district search, exemption, protest and contact information.
Know which office to contact
Separate CAD, tax office and county clerk tasks before calling or opening a portal.
Estimate property tax
Use taxable value and combined rate to create a rough educational estimate.
Check protest timing
Calculate a basic filing window from notice date, then verify with your official notice.
Prepare for homestead
Build a quick checklist before visiting the official CAD exemption page.
Report outdated information
Tell us if a county portal, contact page or official link has changed.
Use these simple tools before opening an official portal
These tools are educational only. They help users understand what to do next, but official filing, payment and record changes must be completed with the correct government or county office.
Task router
Select the task you have in mind and see which office usually handles it.
Popular county guide finder
Jump to a high-demand Texas county guide. For other counties, use the homepage search box.
Property tax estimate
Estimate your possible annual tax using taxable value and combined tax rate.
Protest deadline helper
Texas protest timing can depend on your notice date. This helper gives a simple 30-day reference date.
Always verify the exact deadline on your official notice and county CAD website. This tool does not replace official instructions.
Homestead checklist builder
Select your situation to see common items users may need before visiting the official CAD exemption page.
Before you call checklist
Use this list before contacting a county office so your call or visit is more productive.
- Property address or account number
- Owner name exactly as shown on the record
- Notice of appraised value if asking about value
- Tax bill year if asking about payment or receipt
- Photo ID and proof of residence when discussing exemptions
Which office should you use?
Texas property tasks can involve more than one local office. Use this table to avoid wasting time on the wrong website.
| Office | Usually handles | Use it for | Do not use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Appraisal District | Market value, appraised value, exemptions, appraisal records and appraisal review board protest process. | Property search, homestead application, value review, appraisal protest and correction of appraisal details. | Tax payment receipts, delinquent tax payment plans or deed recording questions. |
| County Tax Assessor Collector | Tax bills, payment processing, receipts, delinquent balances and tax statements. | Paying property tax, downloading a tax bill, checking payment status or asking about penalties. | Changing appraised value, filing a protest or submitting a homestead exemption application. |
| County Clerk or Recorder | Recorded deeds, plats, liens and other official public record documents. | Finding deed copies, recording documents or checking legal recording information. | Appraisal value disputes or tax bill payment questions. |
Before you protest your appraised value
These steps make the homepage more useful for real homeowners and help users understand what to prepare before going to the county CAD portal.
Read the full notice, not only the new value
Check market value, appraised value, assessed value, exemption status, property classification, improvement details and the filing deadline printed on the notice.
Check for simple property data errors
Wrong square footage, wrong property class, missing exemption, incorrect condition, wrong land size or outdated improvement details can affect the value.
Collect evidence before filing
Useful evidence can include comparable sales, neighborhood equity comparisons, photos, repair estimates, inspection reports and clear notes explaining the issue.
Use the official county process
Many CADs offer an online protest portal, but some also support mail or in-person filing. Follow your official county instructions and keep proof of submission.
Watch for hearing and settlement messages
After filing, monitor email, mail and the CAD portal for informal review, evidence upload instructions, hearing date, settlement offers or ARB decision notices.
Popular guides for Texas homeowners
These internal guides support the homepage with deeper educational content and stronger internal navigation.
Appraisal district vs tax office
Understand who decides value, who sends the tax bill and why the same property may appear in multiple county systems.
Read GuideHomestead and over 65 exemption help
Learn common exemption requirements, when to check the CAD site and why most applications should be filed directly with the appraisal district.
Read GuideTexas property tax rates by county
See how school district, city, county and special district rates combine to affect the final property tax bill.
Read GuideStart with your county appraisal district guide
Each county guide should help users understand local property search, exemptions, protest links, tax office differences and official portal direction.
Use official sources for final decisions
Our guides explain the process in simple language. Official filing, legal deadlines, payments and account changes must be confirmed on official state, county or appraisal district resources.
Before entering personal or payment details
- Check the office name and county name carefully.
- Use official links from county or CAD websites when possible.
- Save confirmation numbers after filing or payment.
- Never assume a third-party directory can change official records.
Why this homepage is built for trust
AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent publishing website created to make Texas property appraisal and tax office tasks easier to understand. We organize public-facing information, explain common steps and point users toward official sources for action.
We do not present ourselves as a government agency, do not collect property tax payments, do not submit forms for users and do not alter official records.
What we try to verify
- Whether the task belongs to CAD, tax office or county clerk.
- Whether the link points users toward an official or relevant public source.
- Whether the page explains what the user should prepare before clicking.
- Whether outdated links can be reported for review.
Texas appraisal district FAQs
These answers help users understand the website, the offices involved and the next best step.
Is AppraisalDistrict.org an official Texas government website?
No. AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent educational website. It is not operated by the Texas Comptroller, any county appraisal district, county tax assessor collector or county clerk.
Can I pay my Texas property tax bill through this website?
No. This website does not collect tax payments. Property tax payments should be made only through your official county tax office, approved payment vendor or payment method listed by the county.
Which office handles my property value?
Your county appraisal district usually handles property value, appraisal notices, exemptions and appraisal protests. The county tax office usually handles tax bills and payment records.
Where do I file a Texas homestead exemption?
A residence homestead exemption is normally filed with the county appraisal district where the home is located. Always confirm the form, deadline and submission method on the official CAD website.
How do I search for a Texas property record?
Most appraisal districts offer a property search tool by owner name, property address, account number, parcel number or geographic ID. Search options vary by county.
What is the difference between appraised value and taxable value?
Appraised value is the value assigned by the appraisal district. Taxable value is the value used for tax calculation after exemptions, limitations or other adjustments are applied.
When is the Texas appraisal protest deadline?
Many protests are due by May 15 or 30 days after the notice of appraised value was delivered, whichever is later. You must verify the exact deadline on your notice and official county CAD instructions.
What evidence can help with a property value protest?
Comparable sales, equity comparisons, photos, repair estimates, inspection reports and proof of property data errors may help support a protest when they clearly relate to the appraised value.
Why does the CAD website not show my latest tax payment?
The CAD and tax office often use different systems. CAD records usually focus on appraisal data, while payment status is usually maintained by the county tax assessor collector.
How can I report a broken or outdated county link?
Use the contact page and include the county name, the page URL and the official link that changed. Correction requests help us review and improve the directory.