Property Tax Basics

Who Appraises and Who Collects Your Property Taxes

Two separate offices handle your property taxes in Lamar County — one sets the value, the other handles payment.

The Lamar County Appraisal District (CAD) decides what your property is worth for tax purposes. It is located at 521 Bonham St. in Paris. The CAD does not set the tax rate — that is done by each taxing unit, such as the county, school district, or city.

A separate Tax Assessor-Collector office handles billing and payment. Lamar County has 12 taxing units in all, including five school districts, five cities, and one junior college district. If you think your value is wrong, you protest at the CAD, not the tax office. Check lamarcad.org or the Texas Comptroller's county directory for current contact details.

Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Lamar County Directory

More Lamar County notes

Homestead Exemption

The Homestead Exemption Lowers Your School Tax Bill

Texas law requires school districts to take $140,000 off the appraised value of your primary home before calculating your school tax.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farmland Can Be Taxed on Its Farming Value, Not Market Value

If land in Lamar County is actively used for farming or ranching, it may qualify for a special valuation that can sharply lower the tax bill.

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Septic Systems

Building Outside City Limits Requires a Septic Permit

Most rural property in Lamar County has no sewer service, so any new home or addition needs a permitted on-site sewage system.

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Fishing & Recreation

Pat Mayse Lake Is the County's Largest Public Fishing Spot

Pat Mayse Lake covers nearly 6,000 acres north of Paris and offers public fishing and boating with no special permit required.

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