Property tax
Disagreeing with your Bell CAD appraisal: how to protest
Bell County property owners have the right to challenge their appraisal before the Appraisal Review Board each year, typically by a mid-May deadline.
Bell CAD mails a notice of appraised value each spring. If you believe the value is wrong, you can protest to the Appraisal Review Board, an independent panel that hears owner challenges. The usual filing deadline is May 15, or 30 days after Bell CAD mailed your notice, whichever comes later. Check your notice for the exact date that applies to your property.
At an ARB hearing, you and a Bell CAD representative each present evidence. You can bring comparable sales data, a recent appraisal, repair estimates, or photos. Both sides have equal time to speak. If you are unhappy with the ARB's decision, you can further appeal to district court, binding arbitration, or the State Office of Administrative Hearings depending on the type and value of your property.
Missing the May deadline is not automatically fatal. Bell CAD may accept a late protest if you can show good cause, such as a medical emergency. The Texas Comptroller's website explains the full protest process, and Bell CAD's website at bellcad.org has ARB hearing procedures.
Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller – Appraisal Protests and Appeals