Property Tax Resources · Callahan County, Texas
Callahan County sits between Abilene and Eastland along I-20, where ranching families and rural property owners carry a tax rate above 1.4% on land that doesn’t always pencil out at appraised value.
🔴 2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026 — or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. Miss this date and you waive your right to protest.
Callahan County is ranching and farming country in West Central Texas — Baird is the county seat, with Cross Plains and Clyde as the other main communities. The county straddles I-20 between Abilene and Eastland, and while it’s not seeing the same explosive growth as urban counties, an effective tax rate above 1.4% on agricultural and rural residential land puts real pressure on the households here.
Only about 2% of Callahan County parcels were protested in 2024 — one of the lowest rates in Texas. That means the informal review process at Callahan CAD is largely untested by most property owners. If your land, home, or ranch has been appraised higher than comparable properties in the area, the informal process is straightforward, the office is accessible, and the cost to file is zero.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Contact Callahan CAD directly at (325) 854-2528 or visit the office to search property records.
Callahan CAD protest procedures and filing information for the current year at callahancad.org.
Every taxing entity’s proposed rate, adopted rate, and public hearing schedule for Callahan County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Callahan County — your school district, city, county — must publish its proposed rate and hold a public hearing before adopting any rate exceeding the no-new-revenue rate. These meetings are open. Your voice is on the record.
Photo: Callahan County Courthouse, Baird, Texas. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2024 approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Callahan County | County | ~$0.44/$100 |
| Baird ISD | School District | ~$0.97/$100 |
| Clyde CISD | School District | ~$0.94/$100 |
| Cross Plains ISD | School District | ~$0.90/$100 |
| City of Baird | City | ~$0.43/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at callahan.countytaxrates.com. Rates vary by location — check your tax statement for all entities billing your property.
Contact Callahan CAD at callahancad.org or call (325) 854-2528 to verify your appraised value and the deadline on your notice.
File by mail or in person at Callahan CAD: 302 Chestnut St., Baird, TX 79504. Deadline: May 15, 2026 or 30 days after your notice was mailed.
Recent sales of comparable properties, your purchase price, photos of property condition issues, and repair estimates all strengthen your case.
Before your ARB hearing, a CAD appraiser may offer to settle. Review any offer carefully before accepting — you can accept or proceed to the formal hearing.
The Appraisal Review Board is independent of the CAD. Present your evidence clearly and concisely. Most hearings run 15–30 minutes.
Disagree with the ARB ruling? You may appeal to district court, binding arbitration, or SOAH (properties over $1 million).
“No person’s particular services shall be demanded, nor property taken or applied to public use, unless by the consent of himself or his representative, without just compensation being made therefor.”
— Section 13, Declaration of Rights, Republic of Texas, 1836
Callahan County is old-school West Texas — the kind of place where people still know the county judge’s name and expect government to stay in its lane. An appraisal rate above 1.4% on ranch and farm land that hasn’t changed in decades is not staying in its lane. Only 2% of property owners protested in 2024. The people setting these rates count on that silence. Look up your value. File your protest. Show up to the public hearings. Make it known you’re paying attention.
For informational and educational purposes only. Property-Taxes-Texas.com is a citizen advocacy and education resource. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, financial, tax, or appraisal advice. We are not attorneys, CPAs, or licensed appraisers. Consult a licensed Texas attorney, qualified financial advisor, or certified appraiser for guidance specific to your situation. Deadlines, rates, and statutes are subject to change — verify all details with your county appraisal district or the Texas Comptroller before acting.
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