Property Tax Resources · Marion County, Texas
Historic Jefferson and Caddo Lake country in Northeast Texas — Marion County’s 0.95% effective rate is below both medians, but heritage tourism and Caddo Lake’s unique landscape have begun drawing outside land buyers.
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.
Marion County is home to Jefferson, one of the most historically significant small cities in Texas — a nineteenth-century river port that served as a major commercial gateway before the railroads bypassed it and preserved its Victorian architecture in amber. Caddo Lake, the only naturally formed lake in Texas and a designated Ramsar Wetlands site, draws naturalists, kayakers, and heritage tourists year-round. The county’s economy blends timber, some agriculture, and a growing tourism and retirement residential market.
At 0.95%, Marion County’s effective rate falls below both the state and national medians. But on heritage property in Jefferson and Caddo Lake waterfront land that has attracted growing interest from Dallas-Fort Worth and Shreveport buyers, even a modest rate produces growing bills. 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.
Marion 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 Marion County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Marion 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Marion County | County | ~$0.40/$100 |
| Jefferson ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| City of Jefferson | City | ~$0.35/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at marion.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at marioncad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Marion County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 537, Jefferson, TX 75657. 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
Jefferson, Texas once handled more commerce than any city in the state except Galveston — and the people who preserved and restored its historic character through decades of neglect deserve a property tax system that treats their investment fairly. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without just compensation. When heritage tourism inflates comparable sales in ways that push historic home values beyond what local income supports, the protest system is the correction. Look up your value. File your protest. Jefferson’s history is worth protecting from inflated appraisals.
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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