The Bell County Appraisal District, officially the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County (Bell CAD), sets the market value of every property in Bell County as of January 1 each year, processes homestead and other exemptions, and handles value protests through its Appraisal Review Board. Bell CAD is also a consolidated tax office that collects property taxes, but it doesn't set tax rates. The main office is at 411 E. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513, phone 254-939-5841, online at bellcad.org.
I'm Taylor Ring, a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (The Wood Group) in Belton. I'm not affiliated with Bell CAD. Buyers in Temple, Belton, Killeen, and Salado ask me about the district because its numbers drive the tax part of their monthly payment. Many people search for it as the Bell County Central Appraisal District; the official name is the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County. Everything below comes from bellcad.org and the Texas Comptroller, read October 21, 2026.
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Bell CAD Offices, Phone Numbers, and Hours
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Belton (main office) | 411 E. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513 | 254-939-5841 |
| Killeen | 301 Priest Dr., Killeen, TX 76541 | 254-634-9752 |
| Temple | 205 E. Central Ave., Temple, TX 76501 | 254-771-1108 |
- Mailing address for all offices: P.O. Box 390, Belton, TX 76513
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Email: customerservice@bellcad.org (listed in the Comptroller's county directory)
- Website: bellcad.org
Sources: Bell CAD contact page and the Comptroller's Bell County directory, both checked October 21, 2026. Call before you go, since office closures are posted on the Bell CAD site.
What Bell CAD Does, and What It Doesn't
What it does:
- Appraises property at market value as of January 1. The Texas Tax Code requires appraisal districts to use mass appraisal standards that follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
- Processes exemptions, including the residence homestead, age 65 or older, disabled person, and disabled veteran exemptions.
- Collects property taxes. Bell CAD calls itself a consolidated tax office. The Comptroller's directory notes the Bell County tax office does not collect property taxes and points owners to the appraisal district.
- Supports the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), the independent panel that hears protests.
What it doesn't do:
- Set tax rates. Each taxing unit, such as the county, your city, and your school district, sets its own rate. Bell CAD's own explanation: "Taxes cannot be protested," but a property's appraised value can be.
- See every sale. Texas is a non-disclosure state, so sales prices aren't reported to the district. Bell CAD researches the market and says any sales evidence you provide helps it value your property correctly.
- Give legal advice.
How Your Tax Bill Is Calculated
Bell CAD sums it up as: (market value minus exemptions) x tax rate / 100 = taxes due. For a homestead, the value used is the assessed value, which can be lower than market value because of the 10% homestead cap described below. Each taxing unit applies its own rate and exemptions to your property.
How to Look Up a Property's Appraised Value
- Go to bellcad.org and click Property Search. There's also an Interactive Map.
- Search by property ID, owner name, or address.
- Open the property's detail page to see its values, exemptions, taxing units, and taxes due.
Market Value vs. Assessed Value
- Market value is what the property would sell for on January 1. It has no cap on how much it can rise each year.
- Assessed value for a homestead can rise no more than 10% a year, plus new improvements, under Tax Code Section 23.23, until it catches up to market value.
Bell CAD's own example: prior-year market value $100,000; current-year market value $130,000. The capped assessed value is $100,000 plus 10% ($10,000), or $110,000. Taxes are figured on the $110,000.
What a Buyer Should Notice on a Listing's CAD Record
- The seller's taxes aren't your taxes. The Comptroller explains that the homestead cap expires January 1 of the year after the owner no longer qualifies, and a new owner's cap starts January 1 of the year after they qualify. If the seller's assessed value is well below market value, expect your bill to move toward full market value.
- Exemptions belong to the owner. A seller's over-65 or disabled veteran exemption won't carry over to you.
- New construction can jump. Bell CAD adds an unfinished house to the roll at its percent of completion as of January 1. A home finished after that date may be taxed on partial value the first year and full value the next.
- Square footage may differ from the builder's. Bell CAD measures from the outside only, so its numbers can differ from builder plans.
Filing Your Homestead Exemption With Bell CAD
Bell CAD says the homestead exemption is free to file and doesn't need annual renewal, though the chief appraiser can request an updated application. The basics:
- Where: online through the Homestead/Disabled Veteran Application link on bellcad.org, or in person.
- What you need: an updated Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address. Disabled persons add a Social Security Administration letter; disabled veterans add a current VA award letter.
- When: Bell CAD's FAQ lists January 1 through April 30, and late filing is allowed up to two years after the delinquency date (normally February 1).
- Buying after January 1: Bell CAD notes that under Tax Code Section 11.13, you can receive the homestead exemption for the rest of that year right away if the previous owner didn't receive the same exemption.
How much it's worth in Bell County: Bell CAD's table of exemptions granted by taxing entity shows a $140,000 state homestead exemption for each Bell County school district listed, with an additional $60,000 for age 65 or older or disabled homeowners. Some cities, the county, and other units add local exemptions, so check the table for your address.
For step-by-step filing, see my guides on how to file a homestead exemption in Texas, the Texas homestead exemption over 65, and the Texas disabled veteran property tax exemption.
How to Protest Your Bell County Appraisal
The Notice of Appraised Value
Tax Code Section 25.19 requires a notice of appraised value by April 1, or as soon as practicable, for a single-family residence. You'll get one if your value went up, the property is new to the roll, or an exemption was reduced or canceled. It explains how to protest and when the ARB starts hearings.
The Protest Deadline
The usual deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice of appraised value was mailed, whichever is later. Bell CAD notes that a deadline falling on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only with good cause, a reason beyond your control such as a medical emergency, and the ARB decides whether you have it.
How to File
- Online: Bell CAD's online protest portal asks for the Account ID and PIN printed at the top of page 1 of your Appraisal Notice.
- On paper: use the Comptroller's Form 50-132, Property Owner's Notice of Protest. The Comptroller says a protest doesn't have to be on the form if it identifies the property, the owner, and what you're dissatisfied with.
Informal Review and the ARB Hearing
Bell CAD's appraisal calendar has staff working with owners informally in April and May, with formal ARB hearings starting in June and running into early August. You'll get written notice of your hearing date at least 15 days ahead.
The Comptroller lists evidence that helps, including:
- Photos of your property and comparable properties
- Repair receipts or estimates
- Sales price documentation, such as listings and closing statements
- Surveys, appraisals, and engineering reports
If you just bought the home, your closing documents may be your best evidence of value. You can't argue that taxes are too high, though. The ARB decides value, not rates.
If You Disagree With the ARB
The Comptroller explains you can appeal to district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's written order, or request regular binding arbitration, which is available for any residence homestead, also within 60 days. Either way, pay the undisputed portion of your taxes before the delinquency date to protect your appeal.
Bell County Property Tax Calendar for Homeowners
| When | What Happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Property is valued as of this date | Comptroller |
| January 1 to April 30 | Homestead exemption filing period | Bell CAD |
| By April 1 | Notices of appraised value for single-family homes | Tax Code 25.19 |
| April and May | Informal reviews with Bell CAD staff | Bell CAD |
| May 15 (or 30 days after notice) | Usual protest deadline | Bell CAD, Comptroller |
| June to early August | Formal ARB hearings | Bell CAD |
| By about July 25 | Appraisal roll certified to taxing units | Bell CAD |
| October | Tax statements mailed | Bell CAD |
| January 31 | Last day to pay without penalty | Bell CAD |
| February 1 | Penalty and interest begin on most unpaid bills | Bell CAD, Comptroller |
Bell CAD also lists early-payment discounts toward certain entities: 3% in October, 2% in November, and 1% in December. If your taxes are escrowed, your servicer handles payment.
How Bell CAD Values Affect Your Escrow and Payment
Most buyers pay property taxes through escrow. The CFPB explains that when your property taxes change, your escrow payment and total monthly payment change too. Federal escrow rules (12 CFR 1024.17) let your servicer:
- Collect one-twelfth of the expected yearly taxes and insurance each month
- Hold a cushion of up to two months of escrow payments
- Spread a shortage of one month's escrow payment or more over at least 12 months
Hypothetical example: A buyer closes on a new build in Killeen in the spring. The first tax bill reflects the house's partial value on January 1, and the escrow payment is set around a $2,400 annual tax estimate ($200 a month). The next year, the house is on the roll at full value with a homestead exemption, and taxes come to $5,400 ($450 a month). After the escrow analysis, the payment rises by about $250 a month, plus any shortage spread over 12 months. Round illustrative numbers, not actual Bell County taxes.
How to stay ahead of it:
- Budget on the full market value with your exemptions, not the seller's bill. I build that into my estimates; see how much house can I afford in Texas.
- File your homestead exemption as soon as you qualify.
- Read your notice each spring and protest by the deadline if the value is wrong.
- Know what you'll prepay at closing. My closing costs in Texas guide covers the initial escrow deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bell County Appraisal District?
The Bell County Appraisal District, officially the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County or Bell CAD, appraises all property in Bell County at market value as of January 1, processes exemptions, and collects property taxes. It does not set tax rates. Its main office is at 411 E. Central Ave. in Belton, phone 254-939-5841.
How do I find my property's appraised value in Bell County?
Go to bellcad.org and use the Property Search link to look up the property by property ID, owner name, or address. The property detail page shows its market and assessed values, exemptions, taxing units, and taxes due. Your notice of appraised value also lists the current and prior year values.
When is the deadline to protest my Bell County appraisal?
The usual deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests require good cause, which the Appraisal Review Board decides.
How do I file a homestead exemption with Bell CAD?
File online through the Homestead/Disabled Veteran Application on bellcad.org or at a Bell CAD office. Filing is free, and you need an updated Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address. Bell CAD lists January 1 through April 30 as the filing period, with late filing allowed up to two years after the delinquency date.
Does Bell CAD collect property taxes?
Yes. The Tax Appraisal District of Bell County is a consolidated tax office that collects taxes for the taxing units, but each unit sets its own tax rate. Tax statements are mailed in October, payment is due by January 31, and penalty and interest begin February 1 on most unpaid bills.
Planning a Bell County Purchase?
I'll estimate your taxes using the home's full value and your exemptions, so your monthly payment holds up after year one.
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Related Guides
- How to File a Homestead Exemption in Texas
- Texas Homestead Exemption Over 65
- Texas Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
- Closing Costs in Texas
- Buying a Home in Belton
- Buying a Home in Temple
- Buying a Home in Killeen
Sources
- Tax Appraisal District of Bell County: home page, contact, exemption information, FAQ, common misconceptions, appraisal information, exemptions granted by taxing entity, and online protest instructions
- Texas Comptroller: Bell County directory, Appraisal Protests and Appeals, Valuing Property, Property Tax Basics, Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet, and Form 50-132
- CFPB escrow accounts and 12 CFR 1024.17
Taylor Ring, NMLS #2809683 | Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #2289 | The Wood Group of Fairway, 127 Lake Rd Ste 300, Belton, TX 76513 | Equal Housing Opportunity. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines, and approval, rates, and program availability are not guaranteed. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County, the Bell County Appraisal Review Board, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, or any government agency. Contact Bell CAD directly for official values, deadlines, and exemption decisions.