The Burnet County Appraisal District is officially the Burnet Central Appraisal District (Burnet CAD). It appraises all property in Burnet County for each taxing unit, processes exemptions, takes protests for the Appraisal Review Board, and, unlike some neighboring districts, also handles the assessment and collection of taxes, so your tax statement and payment go through Burnet CAD too. Its main office is at 215 South Pierce Street, Burnet, Texas 78611, with a Marble Falls office at 100 Avenue H, Suite 100, phone 512-756-8291, online at burnet-cad.org.
I'm Taylor Ring, a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (The Wood Group) in Belton. I'm not affiliated with Burnet CAD. Buyers from Central Texas often look west toward Burnet, Marble Falls, and the Highland Lakes, and the tax and exemption picture there works a little differently than in Bell or Williamson County. Everything below comes from burnet-cad.org, read October 26, 2026.
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Burnet CAD Contact Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Main office | 215 South Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611-3136 |
| Marble Falls office | 100 Avenue H, Suite 100, Marble Falls, TX 78654 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 908, Burnet, TX 78611-0908 |
| Phone | 512-756-8291 or 830-693-5468; Spanish: 512-756-8291, option 2 |
| General email | info@burnetad.org |
| Protest and form email | bcad@burnetad.org |
| Hours | Lobby Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; operations 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Good to know:
- One office for values and bills. Burnet CAD's 2026 Annual Report lists "all functions in the assessment and collections of taxes" among its duties, and its site has a Pay Taxes Online link next to Property Search.
- The Appraisal Review Board is separate from the appraisal office. It's the panel that hears value disputes.
- Burnet CAD's 2026 Annual Report counts 57,133 parcels in the county.
Source: Burnet CAD contact page and 2026 Annual Report.
What's Happening at Burnet CAD in October
Burnet CAD's October 2026 notice says:
- Tax statements are mailed this month, and you can expect yours in mid-October. If you haven't received it by the end of October, contact the office.
- Pay the current year's taxes on or before January 31 to avoid penalties.
- Appraisers are starting discovery and data collection for next year, so you may see them measuring new construction and reviewing properties around the county.
Closing on a home this fall? At closing, the title company typically prorates the year's taxes between you and the seller, and if your loan has escrow, your servicer pays future bills from that account. My what is escrow in a mortgage guide walks through how that works.
Source: What is happening in the month of October?
How to Look Up a Burnet County Property
- Go to esearch.burnet-cad.org (Property Search & Pay Taxes Online on burnet-cad.org).
- Search by owner name, address, or account.
- Open the account to see values, exemptions, and taxing units.
Burnet CAD also has an interactive map at gis.bisclient.com/burnetcad and an online portal at portal.burnet-cad.org.
What to Check on a Listing's Record
- The HS code. Burnet CAD's homestead cap guide says the homestead exemption shows as "HS" on the notice and online. That exemption belongs to the seller.
- Market value vs. capped value. Burnet CAD values all property at 100% of market value on January 1. A homestead's taxable value can be held below that by the 10% cap, which ends when the home sells.
- The school district and city. Burnet CISD, Marble Falls ISD, and the cities of Burnet, Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, and Granite Shoals each have different exemptions (table below).
- Flood exposure near the lakes and creeks. See my flood insurance in Texas guide.
Filing Your Homestead Exemption With Burnet CAD
It's free. Burnet CAD's notice says you can submit exemption applications yourself at no cost.
How to file:
- Online through Burnet CAD's electronic homestead submission at trueroll.app/forms/tx/burnet/homestead.
- On paper with the Homestead Exemption PDF (Form 50-114) from the Forms page. Burnet CAD says forms can be emailed to BCAD@burnetad.org.
Expect a wait. The Forms page says to allow up to 90 days for homestead approval.
Moving from another Burnet County home? Burnet CAD's Exemption Removal or Transfer Form lets you remove exemptions from your old home and, if you have an over-65 or disabled person school tax ceiling, request a transfer. See my Texas homestead exemption over 65 guide.
For the statewide steps and deadlines, see how to file a homestead exemption in Texas.
When the 10% Cap Starts
Burnet CAD's homestead cap guide explains that the market value is not limited, but the value used for taxes is limited to a 10% increase over the prior year if the homestead exemption was in place the prior year for the current owner. The cap begins on January 1 of the year after you first qualify (Tax Code Section 23.23(c)). For a buyer, the first year's value can follow the market, and the cap protects you after that.
2026 Homestead Exemption Amounts in Burnet County
From Burnet CAD's 2026 Tax Rates with Exemptions report. Exemptions are subject to application. "Freeze" means the taxing unit has an over-65 tax ceiling.
| Taxing unit | General homestead | Over 65 | Disabled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnet CISD | $140,000 | $60,000 (freeze) | $60,000 |
| Marble Falls ISD | $140,000 | $63,000 (freeze) | $60,000 |
| Burnet County | None | None listed (freeze) | None |
| City of Marble Falls | 0.25% (at least $5,000) | $50,000 (freeze) | $50,000 |
| City of Horseshoe Bay | 20% (at least $5,000) | None | None |
| City of Granite Shoals | $5,000 | None listed (freeze) | None |
| City of Burnet | None | $3,000 (freeze) | None |
Each taxing unit sets its own local option exemptions; confirm the amounts on your account. I don't quote tax rates here because they change each year.
How to Protest Your Burnet County Value
The Deadline
File by May 15, or within 30 days of the date on your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. If you didn't get a notice, the deadline is May 15. When a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, Burnet CAD extends it to the next working day.
Mailing it? Burnet CAD warns that USPS may postmark mail days after you mail it, which could cause you to miss a deadline. You can also use the drop box at the Burnet office (215 S. Pierce St) before midnight on the deadline date.
Burnet CAD's Protest Tips
From Burnet CAD's protest quick notes:
- Submit a protest form. Burnet CAD accepts protests by email at bcad@burnetad.org.
- Give good daytime contact information. Email is best, and note any dates you're unavailable.
- Send your evidence early: written descriptions, photos, a private fee appraisal, or your closing statement if you bought recently.
- Sign and return any settlement. If you and the appraiser agree on a value, you must sign and return the settlement form. If you don't, the value reverts and a hearing is scheduled.
- Watch for the hearing notice, mailed 15 days before your hearing.
Hearing Options
Burnet CAD's 2026 ARB procedures allow:
- In person at the ARB hearing.
- By telephone or videoconference, if you request it in writing at least 5 days before the hearing (10 days if you use an agent), along with a written affidavit of your evidence.
- By written affidavit without appearing.
How Many Protests Settle
Burnet CAD's 2026 Annual Report counted 10,044 protests. Of those, 1,731 were settled with the district, 549 were withdrawn, 1,233 went to an ARB hearing, and 753 owners didn't appear. The report says most disputes are resolved informally.
How Burnet CAD Values Show Up in Your Payment
Your monthly mortgage payment includes an escrow share of the yearly taxes. When you buy, the lender estimates taxes on the home's value with your own exemptions, not the seller's bill.
Hypothetical example: A buyer purchases a Marble Falls home from a longtime owner who had the over-65 exemption and a school tax ceiling. The seller's bill was $3,000 a year ($250 a month). Without the seller's ceiling and with only the buyer's own homestead exemption, the buyer's estimate is $6,600 a year ($550 a month). Planning on the seller's bill would have left the buyer about $300 a month short. Round illustrative numbers, not actual Burnet County taxes.
My checklist for Burnet County buyers:
- Check the school district and city on the Burnet CAD record before you write an offer.
- Estimate taxes on the value without the seller's exemptions. See how much house can I afford in Texas.
- File your homestead after you move in, and allow up to 90 days for approval.
- Plan for the escrow deposit and tax proration at closing. See my closing costs in Texas guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Burnet County Appraisal District?
The Burnet County Appraisal District is officially the Burnet Central Appraisal District, or Burnet CAD. It appraises all property in Burnet County for each taxing unit, processes exemptions, takes protests for the Appraisal Review Board, and also handles the assessment and collection of taxes. Its main office is at 215 South Pierce Street in Burnet, with a second office in Marble Falls.
What is the Burnet CAD phone number?
Burnet CAD lists 512-756-8291 or 830-693-5468, with Spanish service at 512-756-8291, option 2. The general email is info@burnetad.org. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and operations run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Burnet County?
File online through Burnet CAD's electronic homestead submission or download the homestead application from the Forms page and email it to BCAD@burnetad.org. There is no charge to file. Burnet CAD says to allow up to 90 days for homestead approval.
When are Burnet County property taxes due?
Burnet CAD mails tax statements in mid-October and says to contact the office if yours hasn't arrived by the end of October. Pay the current year's taxes on or before January 31 to avoid penalties. Payments can be postmarked, placed in the Burnet office drop box before midnight, or made electronically.
How do I protest my Burnet County appraisal?
File a protest by May 15 or within 30 days of your notice date, whichever is later, by emailing bcad@burnetad.org or using Burnet CAD's forms. Send evidence such as photos, a private appraisal, or your closing statement. If you agree on a settlement, sign and return the settlement form or the value reverts and a hearing is scheduled.
Planning a Purchase in Burnet County?
I'll check the school district, city, and exemptions on any Burnet or Marble Falls home you're considering and build your payment on the taxes you'll actually owe.
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Related Guides
- Lampasas County Appraisal District Guide
- Williamson Central Appraisal District Guide
- Travis Central Appraisal District Guide
- How to File a Homestead Exemption in Texas
- Flood Insurance in Texas
- Closing Costs in Texas
Sources
- Burnet Central Appraisal District: home page, contact information, forms, ARB members, 2026 Annual Report, 2026 Tax Rates with Exemptions, protest quick notes, 2026 ARB procedures, market value and the homestead cap, Exemption Removal or Transfer Form, no charge for applications, postmark caution, and October notice
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 Burnet Central Appraisal District, the Burnet County Appraisal Review Board, or any government agency. Contact Burnet CAD directly for official values, deadlines, and exemption decisions.