McLennan County
Property Tax Protest

Meet Your Central Texas Team

Resolute’s McLennan County team features two former McLennan CAD employees: Justin Dean (10 years as an appraiser) and Jacob Perschke (former commercial appraiser for 4 years and previously banking auditor). They work under Nicole Cowan’s Central Texas leadership, bringing unmatched institutional knowledge of McLennan CAD’s valuation methods.

What McLennan Central Appraisal District Gets Wrong

McLennan CAD uses mass appraisal models to value every property in the county. These models are designed for efficiency, not accuracy at the individual property level. Here’s where they consistently fall short:

Why Resolute, We’re Not an Algorithm

McLennan County is largely ignored by the major national and statewide protest firms. Resolute is the only firm with two former McLennan CAD appraisers on staff, a competitive advantage no one else can claim.

1. We analyze your property individually using proprietary data and technology. Our agents build a case specific to your home and your neighborhood. No mass-processing. No cookie-cutter approaches.

2. We file all the paperwork with McLennan CAD and schedule your hearing. You don’t touch a single form.

3. We show up for you meeting with the district on your behalf, presenting your case, and fighting for the highest reduction possible. Informal review, ARB hearing, and beyond.

4. You only pay if we save you money. No reduction, no fee. That’s our promise.

McLennan County Property Tax Rates (2025)

McLennan County property taxes are calculated by multiplying your property’s taxable value by the combined rate of all applicable taxing entities. Every property in McLennan County is subject to multiple overlapping taxing jurisdictions including the county itself, your municipality, and your school district. Additional entities such as community colleges, hospital districts, and special districts may also apply depending on your location.

The combined tax rate for most McLennan County homeowners falls approximately 2.0% to 2.6% of assessed value, depending on which entities apply to your specific property. McLennan County’s combined rates vary significantly depending on which ISD and municipality apply to your property. Waco ISD properties carry the highest school district rates, while suburban ISDs like Midway tend to be lower. Commercial property values in McLennan County rose sharply in recent years, making the protest process particularly valuable for investors and business owners. View official McLennan County tax rates here.

How MCAD Calculates Your Assessed Value

The McLennan Central Appraisal District (MCAD) appraises all taxable property in McLennan County using a mass appraisal process. Rather than inspecting each property individually, MCAD uses statistical models to value hundreds of thousands of properties simultaneously based on comparable sales, property characteristics, and neighborhood data. Your assessed value is intended to reflect the market value of your property as of January 1 of each tax year.

Two values matter on your notice: market value and assessed value. For homesteaded properties, Texas law caps the increase in assessed value at 10% per year regardless of how much market value rises. This means a home that appreciated 20% in a given year can only see its taxable assessed value rise by 10%. Non-homesteaded properties, including investment and rental properties, carry no such cap and can be reassessed at full market value each year.

Because MCAD relies on mass appraisal models, individual property conditions, deferred maintenance, functional issues, and hyperlocal market factors are frequently missed. When your assessed value does not reflect your property’s true market value, or when comparable properties nearby are assessed lower than yours, you have grounds to protest.

Why McLennan County Assessments Keep Rising

McLennan County and the greater Waco market have experienced notable growth over the past decade, driven in part by Baylor University’s expansion, the Magnolia Market effect from HGTV’s Fixer Upper, and increasing interest from Austin and DFW residents priced out of larger metros. While home values remain more moderate than Dallas or Austin, the pace of appreciation has accelerated significantly, pushing assessed values higher without a corresponding reduction in tax rates. For homesteaded properties, the 10% annual assessment cap provides some protection but does not prevent values from creeping upward year over year. For investment properties, rental properties, and commercial real estate with no homestead cap, the exposure is significantly greater. Protesting your assessed value annually is the only mechanism available to push back against this trend.

How to Pay Your McLennan County Property Taxes

McLennan County property tax bills are mailed in October each year and are due by January 31 of the following year without penalty. the McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector administers tax collection for the county. Payments can be made in the following ways:

• Online: Pay at www.mclennan.gov by credit card, debit card, or eCheck.
• By mail: Send a check payable to the McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector to the address on your tax statement.
• In person: Visit any McLennan County Tax Office location. Bring your tax statement or property account number.
• Payment plans: McLennan County offers installment payment options for qualifying homesteaded properties. Contact the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office for details.

Taxes not paid by January 31 accrue penalty and interest beginning February 1. By July 1, delinquent accounts are turned over to a delinquent tax attorney and additional collection fees apply. If you are waiting on the outcome of a protest, you are still responsible for paying your taxes by the deadline to avoid penalties. Any overpayment resulting from a successful protest will be refunded.

McLennan County 2026 Protest Calendar

Don’t Forget Your Exemptions

Exemptions and protests work together. Make sure you’ve filed for everything you qualify for:

Frequently Asked Questions