FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What role does the El Paso Central Appraisal District play in the tax system?

The Appraisal District sets the value of each property in the County of El Paso as of January 1 of each year. 

What is an Appraisal Review Board (ARB)?

The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) settles disputes between property owners and the appraisal district regarding property values and exemptions only.

The Board of Directors is comprised of five members and one "ex officio" member who govern the operation of the appraisal district by setting policies, adopting a budget, approving contracts, etc. The County Tax Assessor/Collector, by law, serves as the ex officio member of the Board. The remaining five members must meet eligibility requirements. To be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors, the individuals must be a resident of the district and resided in the district for at least two years immediately preceding the date the individuals take office. Board members serve two-year terms beginning on January 1 of even numbered years.Who sets the tax rates?

The governing body (city council, school board, county commissioners) of each taxing entity sets the rates for their jurisdiction. The taxing units decide what services they will provide in the coming year and how much money they will need in order to provide those services. Each taxing unit adopts a tax rate that will raise the needed tax dollars.

Where do I pay my taxes?

The El Paso Central Appraisal District does not levy taxes, set the tax rate or collect any taxes. To pay your taxes or obtain tax information, please contact the Consolidated Tax Office at (915) 541-4054. Their office is located on the third floor of the Wells Fargo Building, 221 N. Kansas Street. For online information, you may go to www.elpasotexas.gov/tax_office

What should you do if the ownership on the appraisal district records does not reflect the current ownership of a property?

If the appraisal record does not reflect the current ownership, please contact the Deeds & Exemptions Department at (915) 780-2066.  Please note that most title transactions take thirty (30) days to post to our files. 

How can I change my mailing address?

Please provide a written request to the Deeds & Exemptions Department, 5801 Trowbridge, El Paso, Texas, 79925.  You may also email us at admin@epcad.org.  Please indicate the correct address for your property and daytime phone number where you can be reached.  The appraisal district will not make a mailing address change over the telephone.

How do I apply for exemptions?

Exemption applications are available at the appraisal district in the Deeds & Exemptions Department and may be picked up between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Several exemption applications can be printed from the Forms page on this site.  You may also call (915) 780-2066 and request an application be mailed to you. 

How does the filing of exemptions affect my property taxes?

The amount of the exemptions that are granted by each taxing entity is subtracted from the market value of your residence and the taxes are calculated on that "lower value." In addition, when you turn 65, you may receive a "tax ceiling" for your total school taxes; that is, the school taxes on your residence cannot increase as long as you own and live in that home. If you significantly improve your home (other than ordinary repairs and maintenance), tax ceilings can go up. For example, if you add a swimming pool, a garage, a storage building, and a room to your home, or significantly remodel your home, your tax ceiling can rise. It will also change if you move to a new home. The tax ceiling is set at the amount you pay in the year that you qualify for the senior citizen exemption. The county, city or special district may adopt a tax ceiling.

How did the Appraisal District arrive at my value?

Utilizing comparable sales, income and/or cost data, an appraiser applied generally accepted appraisal techniques to derive a value for your property.  All properties, both real and business personal property, are assessed as of January 1 of each year. 

What if I disagree with the value of my property?

If you disagree with the appraisal districts opinion of value, a property owner must notify the appraisal district in writing by May 31 or 30 days from the date of the Notice of Appraised Value. If the appraisal district generated no Notice of Appraised Value, and you wish to protest, the protest must be filed by May 31. The Notice of Protest does not need not be an official form; however, the appraisal district can send you a Notice of Protest form to complete and submit. Please  contact the EPCAD Phone Bank at (915) 780-2131 and request that a form be mailed to you.  You may also submit a signed letter stating the protesting property owner's name, identifying the subject property and the indicating the issue that you wish to protest.

What is a capped value and do I get one automatically?

Texas Property Tax Code, Section 23.23, allows for a 10% cap on residential properties where owners have filed a residential homestead exemption.  Please note that the cap is affected by the addition of new improvements added in that year (i.e., additions, pools, garages).  Capped Value minus applicable exemptions equals Taxable Value.

Does it cost anything to protest your property?

There is NO FEE associated with the filing of a protest or for filing for exemptions.  You may get solicitations from companies offering to help lower your property taxes by filing for exemptions you might be entitled to or for filing a protest on your behalf, however, most homeowners can manage the appeals process on their own.  EPCAD’s staff will guide you through the process.   

 For general information, please contact the EPCAD Phone Bank at (915) 780-2131.