Looking for the Bosque County appraisal district? Its official name is the Bosque Central Appraisal District (Bosque CAD). It appraises property for 22 taxing entities in Bosque County and surrounding counties, administers homestead and other exemptions, and takes value protests for the Bosque Appraisal Review Board. It doesn't set tax rates or collect taxes; the Bosque County Tax Assessor-Collector handles bills. Bosque CAD is at 9293 Highway 6, Meridian, TX 76665, phone (254) 435-2304, online at bosquecad.com.
I'm Taylor Ring, a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (The Wood Group) in Belton. I'm not affiliated with Bosque CAD. Whether you're looking at acreage, a small-town home in Clifton or Meridian, or a place outside the Waco area, each comes with its own property tax questions. Everything below comes from bosquecad.com and the Texas Comptroller, read October 27, 2026.
Buying in Bosque County? Get Pre-Approved or Book a Free Consultation.
Bosque CAD and Tax Office Contacts
| Office | Address | Phone / Email | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosque Central Appraisal District (values, exemptions, protests) | 9293 Highway 6, Meridian, TX 76665; mail to PO Box 393, Meridian, TX 76665-0393 | (254) 435-2304; fax (254) 435-6139; feedback@BosqueCAD.com | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Bosque County Tax Assessor-Collector (bills and payments) | 102 W. Morgan, Meridian, TX | (254) 435-2301 | Contact the tax office directly |
Good to know:
- The tax office doesn't set values. Bosque CAD's truth-in-taxation page says, "The county tax assessor does not determine property values or tax rates." Value and exemption questions go to Bosque CAD; bill and payment questions go to the tax office.
- Online protests moved. Bosque CAD's old e-protest page now sends owners to the Bosque CAD Taxpayer Portal, where you can view property details, see communications from the district, and file online appeals.
- Remaining 2026 closures: Bosque CAD's holiday list shows November 11, November 26 and 27 (half day November 25), December 24 and 25 (half day December 23), and January 1, 2027.
Source: Bosque CAD contact page, truth in taxation page, and the Comptroller's Bosque County directory.
How to Look Up a Property on Bosque CAD
- Go to esearch.bosquecad.com.
- Search by owner, address, or ID. Bosque CAD suggests a simpler search, like just the street name, if an address search isn't working.
- Use the interactive map to see parcel lines, which matters on acreage.
Bosque CAD's property search only shows values. For estimated taxes, proposed rates, and hearing dates, Bosque CAD sends owners to bosque.countytaxrates.com, which taxing units update during August and September.
What to Check Before You Write an Offer
- The school district. Bosque CAD's exemption list includes Clifton, Meridian, Valley Mills, Morgan, Iredell, Walnut Springs, Cranfills Gap, Kopperl, Jonesboro, Hico, and China Spring ISDs.
- Inside or outside city limits. Clifton, Meridian, Valley Mills, Morgan, Iredell, Walnut Springs, and Cranfills Gap each have a city tax line.
- How much of the land is homestead. Bosque CAD's FAQ says you can claim up to 20 acres maintained for residential purposes, and generally one acre or less is used for homestead purposes.
- The seller's exemptions and cap. Those belong to the seller. Your taxes are figured on your own exemptions.
What Bosque CAD's 2026 Numbers Show
Bosque CAD's April 22, 2026 release on value notices reported:
- Notices went to more than 15,608 Bosque County property owners.
- The 2026 median market value for a residential homestead was $233,751, up from $229,013 in 2025.
- The median taxable value was $203,793, up from $190,088.
The district explained that taxable values rose faster than market values because the 10% homestead cap had held taxable values below market during the high-growth years, and that gap is closing as growth slows. An increase in your market value, the district noted, doesn't automatically mean an increase in your tax bill, since taxing units set the rates.
Filing Your Homestead Exemption With Bosque CAD
What to file: the homestead exemption form on Bosque CAD's exemptions page (it covers homestead, over 65, disability, 100% disabled veteran, and surviving spouse, and there's a Spanish version).
What to attach: a copy of your Texas driver's license or Texas ID, and the address must match the home. Active military have a separate option: a copy of the driver's license (address doesn't have to match), military ID, and a current utility bill.
How to file: by mail (PO Box 393, Meridian, TX 76665), by email, or at the office. Bosque CAD says it acts on applications four to six weeks after receiving them, and if you don't qualify, you're notified and can protest.
When: the Comptroller's Form 50-114 says applications are generally due April 30. If you missed it, ask Bosque CAD about filing late.
Bought after January 1? Bosque CAD says that since 2022 you can claim a pro-rated general homestead exemption if you own and live in the home, bought it on or after January 1, 2022, the property doesn't already have a general homestead exemption for the year, and you aren't claiming one elsewhere.
When the 10% Cap Starts
Bosque CAD's pro-rated exemption page says you must own and live in the home for at least one calendar year (starting January 1) before the exemption limits increases to 10% or to market value, whichever is less. Its FAQ says the cap applies beginning in the second year you have a homestead exemption.
Respond to Exemption Verification Letters
In January 2026, Bosque CAD sent verification notices to owners who had no driver's license or ID on file, or whose exemption it couldn't confirm. Owners who didn't respond saw their exemptions removed from their notices. The district called re-verifying "easy, free," and quick. Open anything Bosque CAD mails you.
Over 65 and Disabled Homeowners
Bosque CAD explains that the over-65 exemption is available the year you turn 65 and sets a school tax ceiling. Disabled homeowners who meet Social Security's disability standard get a similar ceiling, and both can transfer the ceiling percentage to a new Texas homestead. A surviving spouse who is 55 or older and keeps ownership can keep the exemption and ceiling. See my Texas homestead exemption over 65 guide and the Texas disabled veteran property tax exemption guide.
Homestead Exemption Amounts by Taxing Unit
From Bosque CAD's Local Exemptions page, read October 27, 2026.
| Taxing unit | General homestead | Over 65 | Disabled | Tax ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School districts (Clifton, Meridian, Valley Mills, and others listed) | $140,000 | $60,000 | $60,000 | Yes |
| Bosque County | None | None | None | Yes |
| Bosque County Hospital District | 10% (at least $5,000) | $10,000 | $10,000 | No |
| City of Valley Mills | None | $3,000 | None | Yes |
| Cities of Clifton, Meridian, Iredell, Cranfills Gap | None | None | None | Yes |
| Cities of Morgan and Walnut Springs | None | None | None | No |
Bosque CAD's release notes that the $140,000 school exemption plus the extra $60,000 for over-65 or disabled owners adds up to as much as $200,000 off school taxable value. Disabled veteran exemptions of $5,000 to $12,000 apply across all units. For statewide steps, see how to file a homestead exemption in Texas.
Buying a Second Home, Rental, or Land in Bosque County
Not every Bosque County purchase is a homestead. Bosque CAD explains the circuit breaker limitation: real property that isn't a homestead, valued at $5,160,000 or less, gets a 20% limit on annual increases in appraised value. A few details matter for buyers:
- You must own the property for one full calendar year before the limit applies, and it comes off when the property sells.
- Land with agricultural, timber, or similar special appraisal doesn't qualify.
- Homesteads keep the 10% cap instead.
- The Legislature has authorized this limit only for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 tax years, so 2026 is the last year unless it's extended.
Hypothetical example: Two buyers close in 2026. One buys a home in Meridian to live in and files a homestead. The other buys a weekend place nearby. Neither gets the seller's limits. The homestead buyer's cap starts after a full year with the exemption; the weekend buyer may never get the 20% limit at all if the Legislature doesn't extend it past 2026. Hypothetical scenario; confirm current law with Bosque CAD.
How to Protest Your Bosque County Appraisal
The Deadline
For 2026, Bosque CAD set the deadline as May 21, 2026, or the 30th day after the date on the notice, whichever is later. In 2026, Bosque CAD began mailing notices the week of April 22, and the posted deadline fell after May 15. In any year, the date on your notice controls.
How to File
- Online through the Taxpayer Portal, where you can upload evidence and review settlement offers.
- By mail, or through the drop box outside the Bosque CAD office at 9293 Hwy 6, Meridian.
- Want a faster hearing? Bosque CAD says you can check the box on the protest form to waive the 15-day hearing notice under Tax Code Section 41.46.
The Informal Meeting and ARB Hearing
New for 2026: after the protest deadline, owners who asked for an informal meeting were scheduled for an in-person appointment with a Bosque CAD appraiser. If it isn't resolved, you go to a formal hearing with the Bosque Appraisal Review Board, which Bosque CAD expected to begin in late May or June 2026. The district encourages filing early so your informal appointment is scheduled sooner.
For evidence, hearing formats, and appeals, see my Texas property tax protest guide.
Bosque County Property Tax Calendar
| When | What Happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Market value set; homestead ownership and occupancy date | Bosque CAD |
| January | Exemption verification letters mailed (2026) | Bosque CAD |
| April 30 | Homestead application generally due | Comptroller Form 50-114 |
| Late April | Notices of appraised value mailed; values online (2026) | Bosque CAD |
| May 21, 2026 (or 30 days after notice) | 2026 protest deadline, whichever is later | Bosque CAD |
| Late May or June | ARB hearings begin (2026) | Bosque CAD |
| August and September | Tax rates proposed and adopted; estimates at bosque.countytaxrates.com | Bosque CAD |
Planning Your Payment in Bosque County
If you escrow, your lender collects the taxes monthly and your servicer adjusts the payment when the bill changes. See my what is escrow in a mortgage guide.
My checklist for Bosque County buyers:
- Confirm the school district, city, and acreage on the Bosque CAD record.
- Estimate taxes on full market value with your own exemptions, using bosque.countytaxrates.com once rates are proposed. See how much house can I afford in Texas.
- File your homestead once your driver's license shows the new address.
- If you're buying rural property, see whether a USDA loan fits on my USDA loan requirements in Texas guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bosque County Appraisal District called?
The official name is the Bosque Central Appraisal District, or Bosque CAD. It appraises property for 22 taxing entities in Bosque County and surrounding counties, administers exemptions, and takes value protests. Its office is at 9293 Highway 6 in Meridian, phone 254-435-2304, and its website is bosquecad.com.
How do I file a homestead exemption with Bosque CAD?
Complete the homestead exemption form on Bosque CAD's exemptions page and attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID with the same address as the home. File by mail to PO Box 393 in Meridian, by email, or at the office. Bosque CAD says it acts on applications four to six weeks after receiving them.
What was the 2026 Bosque CAD protest deadline?
Bosque CAD set the 2026 deadline as May 21, 2026, or the 30th day after the date on the notice, whichever is later. Owners could protest online through the Taxpayer Portal, by mail, or through the drop box outside the office at 9293 Hwy 6 in Meridian.
Does the circuit breaker limit apply to Bosque County land or second homes?
It can. Bosque CAD says non-homestead real property valued at $5,160,000 or less gets a 20 percent limit on appraised value increases after one full calendar year of ownership, unless it has agricultural or similar special appraisal. The Legislature has authorized the limit only for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 tax years.
Who collects property taxes in Bosque County?
The Bosque County Tax Assessor-Collector collects property taxes, not Bosque CAD. Bosque CAD lists the tax office at 102 W. Morgan in Meridian, phone 254-435-2301, and notes that the county tax assessor does not determine property values or tax rates.
Planning a Purchase in Bosque County?
I'll check the school district, city, acreage, and exemptions on any Meridian, Clifton, or Valley Mills property you're considering, and build your estimate on the taxes you'll actually pay.
Get Pre-Approved | Book a Free Consultation
Related Guides
- McLennan County Appraisal District Guide
- Coryell County Appraisal District Guide
- Buying a Home in Waco
- How to File a Homestead Exemption in Texas
- Texas Property Tax Protest Guide
- Closing Costs in Texas
Sources
- Bosque Central Appraisal District: home page, contact, exemptions, exemptions FAQ, local exemptions, pro-rated homestead, circuit breaker limitation, 2026 notices of appraised value, 2026 tax rate website notice, truth in taxation, online protest, and 2026 holidays
- Texas Comptroller: property tax exemptions, Form 50-114, and Bosque County directory
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 Bosque Central Appraisal District, the Bosque Appraisal Review Board, the Bosque County Tax Assessor-Collector, or any government agency. Contact Bosque CAD directly for official values, deadlines, and exemption decisions.