Property Tax Resources · Howard County, Texas
Permian Basin oil country anchored by Big Spring — Howard County’s 0.95% effective rate is below the state median, but energy-driven land and mineral valuations create appraisal volatility that rewards protest.
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.
Howard County sits in the Permian Basin of West Texas, with Big Spring as its county seat — a city that has experienced repeated oil booms and busts that define the rhythms of life across the region. The county’s economy is tied directly to Permian Basin energy production, and the presence of active drilling and production creates mineral interest valuations that can swing dramatically with oil prices.
At 0.95%, Howard County’s effective rate falls below the national median. But mineral interest owners whose production values were calculated at peak oil prices may be carrying inflated assessments that haven’t been adjusted downward. Half of those who protested in 2024 achieved reductions. Your deadline is May 15, 2026.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
Howard County 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 Howard County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Howard 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County | County | ~$0.40/$100 |
| Big Spring ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| City of Big Spring | City | ~$0.38/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at howard.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at howardcad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Howard County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 1151, Big Spring, TX 79721. 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
Big Spring has lived through enough oil booms and busts to know that the value of land and production changes with the market — but appraisal districts don’t always update valuations downward as quickly as they move them upward. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without just compensation. When a mineral interest is appraised at peak-year values in a down market, the protest system is the correction. Look up your value. File your protest. The Permian Basin built Texas — it deserves accurate treatment.
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.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only link to services we believe may be genuinely useful to Texas property owners.
© 2026 Property-Taxes-Texas.com — A project of Carrie Hagglund
