Property Tax Resources · Hays County, Texas
Texas’s fastest-growing large county — Hays County’s $5,749 median annual bill reflects explosive Austin-San Antonio corridor growth in Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos, with MUD-heavy development pushing combined rates high.
Sources: Population — U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates; Effective Tax Rate & Avg Annual Bill — Ownwell (2024); Protest Success Rate — Texas Comptroller PTAD data, approximate.
🔴 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.
Hays County has been one of the fastest-growing large counties in the United States for most of the past decade, driven by its position between Austin and San Antonio along the I-35 corridor. Kyle, Buda, and Wimberley have exploded with master-planned communities, and San Marcos — anchored by Texas State University — has seen rapid residential expansion. The county’s Hill Country cedar and Blanco River bottomland has become some of the most rapidly appreciated real estate in Texas.
At a 1.49% effective rate and $5,749 median annual bill, Hays County homeowners carry one of the heaviest average tax burdens in Central Texas. Two-thirds of those who protested in 2024 achieved reductions — among the highest success rates in the state. Kyle and Buda MUDs can add significantly to combined rates. If your notice showed a significant increase this cycle, the informal settlement process at Hays CAD is worth pursuing.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
Hays Central Appraisal District protest procedures, online filing portal, and deadline information for the current year.
Every taxing entity’s proposed rate, adopted rate, and public hearing schedule for Hays County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Hays 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.
| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2024 approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hays County | County | ~$0.35/$100 |
| Hays CISD | School District | ~$0.92/$100 |
| Kyle ISD | School District | ~$0.98/$100 |
| Dripping Springs ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| City of Kyle | City | ~$0.42/$100 |
| City of Buda | City | ~$0.38/$100 |
| Multiple MUDs | Special District | Varies — often $0.20–$0.80/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at hays.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at hayscad.com. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Hays Central Appraisal District: 21001 N. IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640. Deadline: May 15, 2026 or 30 days after your notice was mailed.
Recent sales of comparable properties, your purchase price, photos of condition issues, and repair estimates all strengthen your case.
Before your ARB hearing, a CAD appraiser may offer to settle. Review any offer carefully — 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
Hays County residents moved here because the Hill Country offered something worth paying for. But the founders of the Republic wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation, and a $5,749 median annual bill in a county where incomes haven’t kept pace with land values is a real challenge to that principle. When MUD bonds and school district levies pile up on top of rapidly rising appraisals, every layer is separately challengeable. Look up your value. File your protest. Two-thirds of your neighbors who did got a reduction.
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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