Lavaca County homeowners pay a median of $2,041 a year in property tax on a median home value of $228,300, an effective rate of 0.76%, the 221st highest of 251 Texas counties. Your home's value is set by the Lavaca County Central Appraisal District, and protests are heard by its Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The district appraises property for 16 local taxing units, so one lower value can cut several tax bills at once.
Closed for 2026Closed 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.
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.
Phone: 361-798-4396
Email: [email protected]
Street address: 908 N. Glendale St., Hallettsville, TX 77964-0386
Mailing address: P.O. Box 386, Hallettsville, TX 77964-0386
Official website: lavacacad.com
Sets your home's value, handles protests and homestead exemption applications.
Phone: 361-798-3601
Street address: 404 N. Texana St., Hallettsville, Texas 77964
Sends the tax bill and collects payment. It can't change your value: protest that with the appraisal district.
The Lavaca County Central Appraisal District mails notices of appraised value in spring. The notice shows the market value and the protest deadline.
Look up your home on the Lavaca County Central Appraisal District website and check square footage, bathrooms, condition and features. Use our record card checklist.
File online through the district's portal, 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.
Most districts offer an informal review with an appraiser before the ARB hearing. Many cases settle there.
The appraisal district must prove its value is right by a preponderance of the evidence. 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.
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 calculatorEnter 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.
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.
Fill in your details and download a written appeal statement as a PDF or Word file. Most boards also require their own appeal form: file the form and attach this letter and your evidence to it.
Tax Appeal Map is a free information site, not a law firm or appraiser. The letter is a template, not legal advice.
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.
With the Lavaca County Central Appraisal District at 908 N. Glendale St., Hallettsville, TX 77964-0386, online through its protest portal, or by mail using Form 50-132.
Phone 361-798-4396. Website: lavacacad.com.
Yes. Any owner can protest the appraised value each year, as long as you file by the deadline.
Contact details from the Texas Comptroller's county directory (updated 08/17/2023). Call before you visit; offices move.