Williamson County CAD: The Ultimate Guide to Property Assessments

1. Understanding the Role of Williamson County Central Appraisal District (CAD)

Williamson County CAD is responsible for appraising all real and personal property within Williamson County for ad valorem tax purposes. Ad valorem taxes are property taxes based on the value of the property. The CAD’s primary function is to ensure that all properties are appraised fairly and equitably, ensuring that property owners pay their fair share of taxes.

The CAD is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Williamson County Commissioners Court. The board sets policies and procedures for the CAD and oversees its operations. The CAD is staffed by a team of professional appraisers who use a variety of methods to determine the value of properties.

2. Property Appraisal Process

The CAD appraises properties on a regular basis, typically every two years. The appraisal process begins with the CAD sending out appraisal notices to property owners. These notices contain information about the property’s current value and any changes that have been made to the property since the last appraisal.

Property owners have the right to protest their appraisal if they believe it is inaccurate. Protests must be filed with the CAD within 30 days of receiving the appraisal notice. The CAD will then review the protest and make a determination whether to adjust the appraisal.

3. Factors Affecting Property Value

A variety of factors can affect the value of a property, including:

• Location
• Size of the property
• Age and condition of the property

li>Features of the property, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Recent sales of comparable properties

The CAD considers all of these factors when appraising a property. The goal is to determine the property’s market value, which is the price that a willing buyer would pay for the property on the open market.

4. Different Types of Property Appraisals

The CAD offers a variety of different types of property appraisals, including:

• Standard appraisals: These are the most common type of appraisal and are used for most residential and commercial properties.
• Retrospective appraisals: These appraisals are used to determine the value of a property as of a specific date in the past.
• Partial appraisals: These appraisals are used to determine the value of a portion of a property, such as a room addition or a new garage.

The type of appraisal that is needed will depend on the specific circumstances.

5. Importance of Accurate Property Appraisals

Accurate property appraisals are important for a number of reasons, including:

• Ensuring that property owners pay their fair share of taxes
• Providing a basis for property insurance
• Helping property owners make informed decisions about their property

Inaccurate property appraisals can lead to a number of problems, such as:

• Property owners paying too much or too little in taxes
• Property owners being underinsured or overinsured
• Property owners making poor decisions about their property

It is important to make sure that your property is appraised accurately. If you believe that your appraisal is inaccurate, you should contact the CAD and file a protest.

6. How to Protest Your Property Appraisal

If you believe that your property appraisal is inaccurate, you can protest it. Protests must be filed with the CAD within 30 days of receiving the appraisal notice.

Your protest should include the following information:

• Your name and contact information
• The address of the property
• The reason why you believe the appraisal is inaccurate
• Any evidence that you have to support your claim

The CAD will review your protest and make a determination whether to adjust the appraisal. If the CAD denies your protest, you can appeal the decision to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

7. Appraisal Review Board (ARB)

The ARB is an independent body that hears appeals of property appraisals. The ARB is made up of three members who are appointed by the Williamson County Commissioners Court.

If you are not satisfied with the CAD’s decision on your protest, you can appeal the decision to the ARB. You must file your appeal within 30 days of receiving the CAD’s decision.

The ARB will hold a hearing to review your appeal. You will have the opportunity to present your case to the ARB and provide evidence to support your claim.

The ARB will make a decision on your appeal based on the evidence presented. The ARB’s decision is final.

8. Exemptions and Reduced Valuations

There are a number of exemptions and reduced valuations that may be available to property owners, including:

• Homestead exemption: This exemption reduces the taxable value of your home by up to $25,000.
• Senior citizen exemption: This exemption reduces the taxable value of your home by up to $10,000 if you are 65 years of age or older.
• Disabled person exemption: This exemption reduces the taxable value of your home by up to $10,000 if you are disabled.

To qualify for an exemption or reduced valuation, you must file an application with the CAD. The CAD will review your application and make a determination whether to grant the exemption or reduced valuation.

9. Property Tax Rates

Property tax rates in Williamson County are set by each taxing entity, such as the county, city, and school district. The tax rate is expressed in dollars per $100 of taxable value. For example, a property tax rate of $1.50 per $100 of taxable value means that you would pay $1.50 in property taxes for every $100 of taxable value on your property.

The taxable value of your property is determined by multiplying the appraised value of your property by the assessment ratio. The assessment ratio is set by the CAD and is typically 100%. This means that the taxable value of your property will be the same as the appraised value of your property.

10. Paying Your Property Taxes

Property taxes are due on January 31st of each year. You can pay your property taxes online, by mail, or in person at the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office.

If you do not pay your property taxes by the due date, you will be charged a penalty. The penalty is 10% of the unpaid taxes, plus interest. If you do not pay your property taxes within two years of the due date, your property may be subject to foreclosure.

11. Understanding Your Property Tax Bill

Your property tax bill will show the following information:

• The appraised value of your property
• The taxable value of your property
• The tax rate for each taxing entity
• The amount of property taxes that you owe

If you have any questions about your property tax bill, you should contact the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office.

12. Williamson County Property Tax Calculator

The Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office offers a property tax calculator on its website. This calculator can be used to estimate your property taxes based on the appraised value of your property and the tax rates for each taxing entity.

To use the property tax calculator, you will need to enter the following information:

• Your property address
• The appraised value of your property

Once you have entered this information, the calculator will display an estimate of your property taxes.

13. What is a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)?

A Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) is a designated area within a city or county where property taxes are used to finance public improvements and economic development projects.

When a TIRZ is created, the taxable value of all properties within the zone is frozen at the current level. As property values increase within the TIRZ, the additional tax revenue is used to fund public improvements and economic development projects within the zone.

TIRZs are often used to revitalize blighted areas or to promote economic development in specific areas.

14. How to Find Your Property’s TIRZ Status

You can find your property’s TIRZ status by visiting the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s website