Agricultural Valuation
Farm and Ranch Land Can Qualify for Lower Taxes
Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management in Jim Wells County may qualify for a special lower appraisal that cuts property taxes.
Texas law lets land used for agriculture be taxed on its productive value, not its market value. This is called a 1-d-1 open-space appraisal. For cattle, cotton, sorghum, or other ag uses common in Jim Wells County, the difference can be large.
To qualify, the land generally must have been used for agriculture for at least five of the past seven years. You apply with Form 50-129 through the Jim Wells County Appraisal District. If you stop farming and sell or develop the land, you may owe back taxes called a rollback tax. Check the Texas Comptroller's ag valuation page for the current rules before applying.
Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Ag, Timberland and Wildlife Management Special Appraisal