How to protest your property taxes in Brown County, Texas

In Brown County, if the value on your notice is too high, you can protest it. You don't need a lawyer.

Checked against official sources: Oct 21, 2026

Can I still protest?

Closed for 2026 — opens in April 2027

Closed for 2026. The next protest window opens with appraisal notices in April 2027; protests are due May 15, 2027 or 30 days after your notice.

1.13%Effective tax rate (Tax Foundation)
$1,770Median yearly tax on a home
May 15Or 30 days after your notice, if later
Form 50-132File by mail, in person, or online where offered

Brown County homeowners pay a median of $1,770 a year in property tax on a median home value of $158,900. Its effective tax rate (property taxes paid as a share of home values, per the Tax Foundation) is 1.13%, the 115th highest of 251 Texas counties. Your home's value is set by the Brown County Appraisal District (the county office that sets home values), and protests are heard by its Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The district appraises property for 12 local taxing units, so one lower value can cut several tax bills at once.

Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after your notice

File a written Notice of Protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases (for example, you never got a required notice). Example: if your notice was delivered April 20, your deadline is May 20 (30 days later) instead of May 15.

Missed the deadline? What you can do now

  • Late protest: allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases, for example if you never got a required notice.
  • Check your notice: is your homestead exemption on it and was the 10% homestead cap applied? If an exemption is missing, ask the office that sets your value. Exemptions have their own deadlines.
  • Set a reminder for April 2027, when the next notice usually arrives. Then check the value and the deadline right away. Add to my calendar

Where to file in Brown County

Brown County Appraisal District

Phone: 325-643-5676

Email: appraisal@brown-cad.org

Street address: 3804 Hwy. 377 S, Brownwood, TX 76801-5120

Mailing address: 3804 Hwy. 377 S, Brownwood, TX 76801-5120

Official website: brown-cad.org

Sets your home's value, handles protests and homestead exemption applications.

Tax office: Brown County

Phone: 325-643-1646

Street address: 200 S. Broadway St., Brownwood, Texas 76801-3136

Official website

This office does not collect property taxes. Your bill may come from the appraisal district or another collector; it is printed on the bill.

How to protest in Brown County, step by step

  1. Watch for your notice in April

    The Brown County Appraisal District mails notices of appraised value in spring. The notice shows the market value and the protest deadline.

  2. Check your property record

    Look up your home on the Brown County Appraisal District website and check square footage, bathrooms, condition and features. Use our record card checklist.

  3. File your protest by the deadline

    File through the district's website if it offers online protests (most larger districts do), or with Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) by mail or in person. Tick both boxes: value is over market value, and value is unequal compared with other properties.

  4. Try the informal meeting

    Most districts offer an informal review with an appraiser before the ARB hearing. Many cases settle there.

  5. Present your case to the ARB

    Bring copies of your evidence for each board member. Keep to the value of your home, not the size of the bill.

    More detail

    The appraisal district must prove its value is right by the more convincing evidence (“a preponderance of the evidence”: more likely true than not). It must meet the higher 'clear and convincing' standard if (a) your home is worth $1 million or less and you file a sworn certified appraisal at least 14 days before the hearing, or (b) your value was lowered on protest last year (not by agreement) and you file supporting sales or data 14 days ahead. In an unequal-appraisal claim you win unless the district shows your value is at or below the median of comparable properties.

  6. If you disagree with the ARB

    Binding arbitration: within 60 days after you receive the ARB order. SOAH: notice of appeal within 30 days. District court: petition within 60 days. Binding arbitration is open to any homestead and other property worth $5 million or less; file Form AP-219 (Request for Binding Arbitration) with the Texas Comptroller, online or by mail with a check or money order payable to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, plus a deposit ($450 for a homestead the ARB valued at $500,000 or less, $500 above that). If the arbitrator's value is closer to yours, you get the deposit back minus a $50 fee.

Texas lets you protest an unequal appraisal: if similar homes nearby are valued lower per square foot, you can ask for the same rate.

Unequal appraisal calculator

How much could you save?

Enter the market value on your assessment notice and what you think the home would really sell for. We estimate the yearly saving if the board agrees with you.

Use the full market value, not the assessed value, if your notice shows both. The estimate uses your bill or your state's median effective tax rate.

Some states cap how fast the taxable value of a home can rise (California, Florida, Michigan and Texas homesteads, for example). If your taxable value is already held below market value by a cap, a lower market value may not lower this year's bill.

Free property tax protest letter

Fill in your details and download a written protest statement as a PDF. Texas appraisal districts also use Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or their online protest: file that and attach this letter and your evidence.

Texas: 2026 protests are closed. Use this after your 2027 notice arrives.

About you

Where should the board send its decision?

The property

The year printed on your notice.

Who gets the letter
Your protest
Reasons (tick all that apply)
Other formats

Sign the letter. Send it by certified mail with a return receipt, or file it online or in person, before your deadline. Keep a copy and your receipt.

RobinClaim is a free information site, not a law firm or appraiser. The letter is a template, not legal advice.

Brown County property tax protest FAQ

What is the deadline to protest property taxes in Brown County?

File a written Notice of Protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases (for example, you never got a required notice). Example: if your notice was delivered April 20, your deadline is May 20 (30 days later) instead of May 15.

Where do I file a property tax protest in Brown County?

With the Brown County Appraisal District at 3804 Hwy. 377 S, Brownwood, TX 76801-5120 or by mail using Form 50-132.

How do I contact the Brown County Appraisal District?

Phone 325-643-5676. Website: brown-cad.org.

Can I protest even if my value didn't change?

Yes. Any owner can protest the appraised value each year, as long as you file by the deadline.

Sources

Contact details from the Texas Comptroller's county directory (updated 02/17/2026). Call before you visit; offices move.

Other Texas counties