Compared to other Texas counties, Nueces County has experienced minimal growth over the past five years, keeping property taxes safe from the rapid inflationary impacts seen by large cities like Houston and Dallas. However, Nueces County's assessed values have climbed 25.42% since 2022. The county also has a significantly higher median tax rate at 1.53% than the national median of 1.02%. Property owners in locations like Corpus Christi and Port Aransas pay more than the average American in property tax payments each year.
Our article will explain how to save on your Nueces County property tax bill.
Let's dive in!
Understanding the Nueces County Property Tax System
Property tax trends in Nueces County reflect the assessed residential and commercial property values in the county. The Nueces County Appraisal District is responsible for the annual appraisal of properties.
Local government entities, such as school districts, county commissions, and utility providers, set tax rates based on their projected annual budgets. The estimated budget is divided by the total value of all taxable properties in a jurisdiction to determine the property tax rate, which is expressed as dollars per $100 of property valuation. The effective property tax rate is the percentage of property value that determines your property tax obligations.
Example: Property taxes in Nueces County on a home valued at $200,000 are $3,600 annually:
$200,000 x 1.53% = $3,600
Texas property taxes vary across the state and even from city to city within the same county, because counties and neighborhoods have different home appraisal values and tax rates.
Tax Exemptions You Should Know
Lower your Nueces County property tax payment with a Texas homestead exemption. The state offers qualifying homeowners a $100,000 general property tax exemption to reduce their taxable property value.
Subtracting applicable exemptions from the appraised value of your primary residence saves you money while not impacting the actual value of your home. At Ownwell, we can help you file for property tax exemptions now and retroactively for up to two years.
Example: A Nueces County homeowner with a $100,000 general homestead exemption and an appraised property value of $200,000 saves more than $1,500 each year by simply applying and receiving the exemption.
$200,000-$100,000 = $100,000 x 1.53% = $2,070
$3,600-$2,070 = $1,530 annual savings
Other Common Exemptions To Consider
Qualifying residential property owners can apply for other exemptions that stack on top of the homestead exemption for additional savings. Texas property tax exemptions require you to prove that you meet the exemption requirements:
Over 65 or disabled: $10,000 from local school district taxes and a minimum of $3,000 from local taxing unit (when offered by the county)
100% disabled veteran: 100% of property value
Disabled veteran with home donated by charitable organization: Exemption determined by federal service-connected disability rating
Surviving spouse of a U.S. Armed Services member killed in action: 100% of the property value
Surviving spouse of a first responder killed in the line of duty: 100% of the property value
You can also lower your tax bill by finding out which of your property taxes are deductible. In many cases, deductions can be applied to taxable property, including real estate and personal property, to lower your federal and state income tax liability.
Protest Your Assessment to Lower Your Property Taxes
If you believe your property has been unfairly assessed, you have the right to protest. When you file a property assessment appeal, the burden of proof is on you to show why the property has been valued incorrectly.
Begin by gathering documentation that supports your argument. This could include comparative market analysis, repair estimates, incorrectly recorded real estate information, or misclassification of property features.
Follow the steps involved in the appeals process:
File an appeal with the local appraisal district online. Include the reasons you are protesting the property assessment and submit.
If the dispute is resolved to your satisfaction with an informal hearing by the appraisal district, you're finished.
Should the appraisal district stand by its initial assessment, request a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
Present the evidence you collected to the ARB. They will review the evidence and decide whether to lower your property tax bill or stand by the appraisal from the informal hearing.
Appeal an unfavorable decision from an ARB in district court or through binding arbitration with a third party. Hire an attorney to help with your appeal. The decision of the district court or arbitrator is final.
Key Deadlines To Keep In Mind for 2025
Keep these key 2025 dates in mind to avoid the consequences of missing important tax deadlines. Property owners who miss the deadline to protest their tax assessment before the Nueces County Appraisal District forfeit their right to protest until the following year.
Paying the property tax bill late can also result in late penalties and accrued interest, increasing your tax expenses.
January 1: Nueces County Appraisal District sets property market values.
January 31: Previous year property tax payments are due (2025 taxes must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2026, to avoid penalties and interest).
April 7-15: Notice of Appraisal Value is mailed to property owners in mid-April.
April 30: This is the deadline to file for homestead exemptions for the current tax year.
May 15 (or 30 days after the appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later): Property owners must file a protest of appraisal form before this deadline.
October 1: Property taxes for the current tax year are assessed and are due on January 31 of the following year.
Staying Informed Through the Nueces County Appraisal District
Keep abreast of the current property tax rates in Nueces County and the changing Texas state statutes that impact your property tax obligation. The Nueces County Appraisal District provides frequent online updates and offers convenient web-based property assessment appeals, so there's never a reason to overpay on property taxes.
How Ownwell Can Help Reduce Your Tax Bill
Let Ownwell help you save money. There are no upfront costs or fees required to get started.
If we appeal for you, we will only send you a bill for 25% of the money we save you if we succeed in saving you money, and we succeed 86% of the time!
Sign up now to start saving in Nueces County!
