Why Hays County Property Owners Are Seeing Higher Tax Bills in 2025

If you live in Hays County and opened your 2025 property tax notice with shock or frustration, you're not alone. Many homeowners across San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, and the surrounding areas are seeing higher tax bills than in previous years—even if their tax rates haven’t changed dramatically.

So why the spike in costs? The answer lies in one word: appraisals.

Higher Appraised Values Are Driving Higher Tax Bills

Texas property taxes are based on the appraised market value of your home, not the tax rate alone. And in 2025, property appraisals in Hays County have risen sharply due to several local factors:

• Rapid population growth has pushed up demand for housing across the county.
• New residential and commercial developments have increased land values, especially near major roads and infrastructure improvements.
• Rising home prices from prior years are still being factored into current appraisals.

Even though some local taxing authorities in Hays County slightly reduced their tax rates, those small adjustments haven’t been enough to counteract the dramatic jump in property values.

Why Your Home’s Value Increased—Even If It Hasn’t Changed

Many homeowners are confused: “My home hasn’t been renovated. Why is it worth more?”

Mass appraisal systems used by the Hays Central Appraisal District (HCAD) don’t inspect individual homes. Instead, they rely on neighborhood-wide sales data to determine market value. This means:

• Your home might be compared to nearby properties that have been recently renovated or sold at a premium.
• Land values in high-demand areas (like Kyle and Buda) are increasing even if the physical condition of homes hasn’t changed.
• Market momentum from 2021–2023 is still influencing 2025 assessments.

Areas Hit the Hardest

While the whole county is affected, the largest increases have been seen in:

• Kyle and Buda, due to major subdivision growth and commuter demand from Austin.
• San Marcos, driven by new university housing, commercial development, and expanding infrastructure.

These areas are experiencing consistent year-over-year increases, leaving long-term homeowners especially vulnerable to large appraisal spikes.

What You Can Do About It

If your tax bill seems out of sync with your home’s condition or actual market value, it’s important to take action:

1. Review Your Appraisal Notice: Look for mistakes in square footage, improvements, or property use.
2. File a Protest: You have the right to challenge your appraisal and potentially reduce your tax burden.
3. Gather Evidence: Use comps, photos, repair estimates, and more to support your claim (see our previous blog for guidance).

Ballard Property Tax Protest Is Here to Help

We specialize in helping Hays County homeowners navigate this exact situation. Our team knows how to analyze HCAD’s valuation data, spot inconsistencies, and build strong cases for protest.

Whether your home is in a booming new subdivision or an older neighborhood being impacted by rapid change, we’ll help ensure your appraisal—and your taxes—are fair.

Don’t wait. Sign Up Today and take control of your 2025 property tax bill.