Property Tax Basics

Two separate offices handle property taxes here

Matagorda County has two separate offices for property taxes — one sets values, and one collects the bills.

The Matagorda County Appraisal District sets the value of your property. It is on Avenue G in Bay City. This is where you file for a homestead exemption or protest your appraised value. The appraisal district does not collect money.

The Tax Assessor-Collector is a separate office on 7th Street in Bay City. That office sends the tax bills and takes payments. It also handles vehicle registration. If you get a bill that looks wrong, start with the appraisal district — not the collector.

Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Matagorda County Directory

More Matagorda County notes

Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption cuts your school tax bill

Texas law requires school districts to exempt a set amount of your home's value from school taxes — but you must file to get it.

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Coastal Windstorm Insurance

Coastal homes may need windstorm insurance through the state

Matagorda County is one of 14 Texas coastal counties where private windstorm insurance can be hard to get, so many homeowners use the state's backup insurer instead.

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Flood Maps

Flood maps for this county were recently revised

FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Matagorda County in early 2025, which could change flood insurance requirements for some properties.

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Wildlife Management Area

Matagorda Island is a wild, boat-only public hunting and fishing area

Matagorda Island WMA covers more than 56,000 acres of barrier island and marsh, and you can only get there by boat.

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