The Coryell County Appraisal District, officially the Coryell Central Appraisal District (Coryell CAD), sets the January 1 market value of property in Coryell County and runs exemptions for the county's taxing units. It does not set tax rates or collect taxes; the Coryell County Tax Assessor-Collector does. Coryell CAD has two offices: 705 E. Main Street, Gatesville (254-865-6593) and 202 E. Robertson Avenue, Copperas Cove (254-542-6960), online at coryellcad.org.
I'm Taylor Ring, a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (The Wood Group) in Belton. I'm not affiliated with Coryell CAD. I work with a lot of buyers looking in Copperas Cove and Gatesville, many of them connected to Fort Hood, and the appraisal district's numbers end up inside every payment estimate I build. Everything below comes from coryellcad.org, the Coryell County Tax Office, and the Texas Comptroller, read October 23, 2026.
Buying in Copperas Cove, Gatesville, or elsewhere in Coryell County? Get Pre-Approved or Book a Free Consultation.
Coryell CAD Offices, Phone Numbers, and Hours
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coryell CAD, Gatesville (main office and mailing address) | 705 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528 | 254-865-6593 | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Coryell CAD, Copperas Cove | 202 E. Robertson Avenue, Copperas Cove, TX 76522 | 254-542-6960 | Same as Gatesville |
| Coryell County Tax Office, Gatesville (tax bills and payments) | 800 E. Main St., Suite B, Gatesville, TX 76528 | 254-248-3142 | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Coryell County Tax Office, Copperas Cove annex | 809 S. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522 | 254-547-4285 | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Note the lunch closure: Coryell CAD lists hours of 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00 at both locations. The district's email is info@coryellcad.org. Deeds aren't handled by the CAD at all; Coryell CAD points you to the Coryell County Clerk at 620 E. Main St. in Gatesville, 254-865-5911.
For the rest of 2026, the CAD's holiday schedule lists closures on November 11, November 26 and 27, and December 24 and 25. Sources: Coryell CAD contact page, the Coryell County Tax Office, and the Comptroller's Coryell County directory.
Which Homes Coryell CAD Covers
Coryell CAD says it handles appraisal and exemptions for 18 taxing units. Its entity list includes:
- Coryell County and Central Texas College
- Cities: Copperas Cove, Gatesville, and Oglesby, plus parts of Evant and McGregor
- School districts: Copperas Cove ISD, Gatesville ISD, Jonesboro ISD, Oglesby ISD, and Evant ISD, plus the parts of Clifton, Crawford, Lampasas, Moody, and Valley Mills ISDs that reach into Coryell County
- Middle Trinity Groundwater District
Copperas Cove calls itself the largest city in Coryell County. Fort Hood (named Fort Cavazos from May 2023 until June 2025, per the Army) sits within both Bell and Coryell counties, so families stationed there often shop on both sides of the county line. That's the first thing I check on a listing: which county the home is in. A house in Killeen or Harker Heights is valued by a different district, covered in my Bell County Appraisal District guide. Homes near McGregor, Crawford, or Moody may sit in McLennan County instead; see the McLennan County Appraisal District guide.
What Coryell CAD Does, and What It Doesn't
What it does:
- Values property as of January 1. Coryell CAD says its appraisers classify properties and use comparable sales, income, and cost data with generally accepted appraisal techniques.
- Reappraises on a cycle. The district must reappraise every property at least once every three years and can do it every year where the market is active.
- Processes exemptions such as general homestead, over-65, disability, and disabled veteran.
- Mails notices of appraised value, typically by the first of April, with a description of the property, its value, exemptions, and an estimate of taxes.
What it doesn't do:
- Set tax rates. Each taxing unit sets its own. Coryell CAD points owners to coryell.countytaxrates.com for rate hearings and adopted rates.
- Collect taxes. Coryell CAD's homepage says it "is not the responsibility of Coryell CAD to establish tax rates or collect property taxes." The Coryell County Tax Assessor-Collector collects for all taxing entities within Coryell CAD's jurisdiction, according to the district.
How a Tax Bill Is Figured
For each taxing unit on your account: taxable value x tax rate / 100 = tax for that unit. Taxable value is the appraised value minus the exemptions that unit offers. A Copperas Cove home will typically show lines for the county, Central Texas College, the city, and Copperas Cove ISD. The CAD's Entity Information page posts each year's entity tax rate list.
How to Look Up a Property on Coryell CAD
- Go to coryellcad.org and click Property Search (or the Interactive Map).
- Search by owner name, address, or property ID.
- Open the account to see the market value, appraised value, exemptions, and taxing units.
Coryell CAD says the site updates every evening, and current-year values appear only after notices are mailed, usually by April 1. Before then, you're looking at last year's numbers.
Market Value vs. Appraised Value
- Market value is the estimated January 1 sale price.
- Appraised value on a homestead can be capped. Coryell CAD's FAQ explains that for a homeowner who qualified the homestead in the prior and current year, appraised value generally can't rise more than 10% a year.
What to Check on a Listing's Record
- Exemptions belong to the January 1 owner. Coryell CAD's FAQ says that if you buy after January 1, the exemption showing is the previous owner's, and you must file your own application.
- The cap doesn't carry over. The Comptroller explains a cap expires January 1 of the year after the owner stops qualifying, and a new owner's cap takes effect January 1 of the year after they qualify.
- Over-65 tax ceilings don't transfer to you. Coryell CAD's exemption guide says the over-65 exemption creates a school tax ceiling for that owner, and taxes can't go higher unless improvements are added. A seller's frozen bill can be far below what you'll pay.
- Check the ownership after you close. Coryell CAD uses deed records from the County Clerk. If the record doesn't show you as owner 90 days after closing, the district asks you to contact it.
Filing Your Homestead Exemption in Coryell County
There's no fee. Coryell CAD posted a notice that "Homestead Designation Services" is not affiliated with the district and that filing a homestead exemption is free. Ignore any mailer asking you to pay.
How to file:
- Online through Coryell CAD's Online Forms portal. You must upload a copy of your Texas driver's license or Texas ID.
- On paper with Comptroller Form 50-114 from the CAD's Forms page, delivered by hand, mail, or fax.
- One signature is enough. The district says only one resident needs to sign, and that person must be listed on the deed.
What you need: Coryell CAD's exemption guide asks for a State of Texas ID showing the homestead address, or a military ID with a utility bill. That second option matters for service members who still hold an out-of-state driver's license.
When: Coryell CAD says applications are accepted anytime, and since January 1, 2022, you can claim the homestead prorated from the date it became your principal residence. Form 50-114 allows a late residence homestead application up to two years after the filing deadline. (Coryell CAD's FAQ words it as two years after the date taxes become delinquent, so if you're filing late, confirm your eligible years with the district.)
What it's worth in Coryell County:
| Exemption | Amount listed by Coryell CAD |
|---|---|
| General homestead, school districts (state-mandated) | $140,000 off appraised value |
| General homestead, City of Copperas Cove (local option) | $5,000 |
| Over-65, school districts (state-mandated) | Additional $60,000 |
| Over-65, Copperas Cove ISD (local option) | Additional $6,000 |
| Over-65, City of Copperas Cove (local option) | Additional $5,000 |
| Disability, school districts (state-mandated) | Additional $60,000 |
The school amounts match Tax Code Section 11.13 as described by the Comptroller. Disabled veterans get a separate exemption scaled to the VA rating ($5,000 at 0-29%, $7,500 at 30-49%, $10,000 at 50-69%, $12,000 at 70-100%), and a veteran rated 100% disabled or paid at 100% for unemployability receives a total exemption on the homestead. My Texas disabled veteran property tax exemption guide covers the details, and the statewide steps are in how to file a homestead exemption in Texas and the Texas homestead exemption over 65.
Moving here with an over-65 or disability ceiling? Coryell CAD says the school tax percentage can transfer from anywhere in Texas with a tax ceiling transfer certificate from your prior appraisal district, filed with a new homestead application.
How to Protest Your Coryell County Appraisal
The Deadline
Coryell CAD's ARB FAQ: file your written protest by May 15 or no later than 30 days after the district mailed your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. A late protest filed before the ARB approves the records gets a hearing only if the board finds good reason. If the district failed to mail a required notice, you can protest any time before taxes become delinquent.
How to File
- Online: choose Online Protest on coryellcad.org. First-time users create an account; the district says to check back often and watch your email for its response.
- On paper: use the protest form on the back of your notice, Comptroller Form 50-132, or a letter. Coryell CAD says a notice is sufficient if it identifies the owner and the property and says you're dissatisfied with a district decision.
Informal Meeting First, Then the ARB
Coryell CAD says you may be able to settle informally with an appraiser before a formal hearing. Bring your closing statement, fee appraisal, sales comparables, repair estimates, or photos. If that doesn't resolve it, you go before the Appraisal Review Board, a citizen panel that is separate from the district.
- Hearings start after May 1. You'll get a letter 15 days before your hearing with the date, time, and place.
- Bring 6 copies of your evidence. The district notes copying isn't available at the hearing.
- Phone hearings must be requested in writing at least 10 days before the hearing, with evidence filed by affidavit before it starts. You call 254-865-6593 about five minutes ahead.
For recent buyers: Coryell CAD's ARB FAQ specifically says that if you bought recently and the district's value is higher than your price, bring your signed settlement statement. Its FAQ adds that a foreclosure purchase price is generally used only if the sale was typical of the market.
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 binding arbitration in some cases. Pay the undisputed portion of your taxes on time.
Coryell County Property Tax Calendar
| When | What Happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Values and exemption qualification set | Comptroller calendar on Coryell CAD's site |
| By about April 1 | Notices of appraised value mailed; current values go online | Coryell CAD |
| May 15 (or 30 days after notice) | Protest deadline, whichever is later | Coryell CAD ARB FAQ |
| After May 1 | ARB hearings begin | Coryell CAD ARB FAQ |
| Around October 1 | Tax collections begin; taxes due on receipt | Coryell CAD FAQ |
| January 31 | Last day to pay without penalty | Coryell CAD FAQ |
| February 1 | Penalty and interest start on most unpaid bills | Coryell CAD FAQ |
How Coryell CAD Values Show Up in Your Payment
If you escrow, your taxes are built into your monthly payment. The CFPB explains that when taxes change, your escrow payment changes too. Under 12 CFR 1024.17, servicers collect one-twelfth of estimated annual taxes and insurance each month, can hold a cushion of up to two months, and must let you repay a shortage of a month's payment or more over at least 12 months.
Hypothetical example: A Fort Hood family buys a Copperas Cove home from a longtime owner who had the over-65 exemption and a frozen school tax ceiling. The seller's bill was $2,000 a year ($167 a month). Built on full value with only the general homestead exemption and the city's local exemption, the buyer's estimate is $4,400 a year ($367 a month). Budgeting on the seller's bill would have left the family about $200 a month short. Round illustrative numbers, not actual Coryell County taxes.
My checklist for Coryell County buyers:
- Confirm the county and school district on the CAD record before you write an offer.
- Estimate taxes on full market value with your own exemptions. I do that in every estimate; see how much house can I afford in Texas.
- File your homestead as soon as you move in, with your Texas ID, or your military ID and a utility bill.
- Plan for the escrow deposit at closing, covered in my closing costs in Texas guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Coryell County Appraisal District?
The Coryell County Appraisal District, officially the Coryell Central Appraisal District, values property in Coryell County as of January 1 and administers exemptions for 18 taxing units, including Coryell County, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, and their school districts. It does not set tax rates or collect taxes. Its main office is at 705 E. Main Street in Gatesville, phone 254-865-6593.
Does Coryell CAD have an office in Copperas Cove?
Yes. Coryell CAD has a Copperas Cove office at 202 E. Robertson Avenue, phone 254-542-6960, in addition to its Gatesville office. Both are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Coryell County?
File free through Coryell CAD's Online Forms portal with a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID, or send Comptroller Form 50-114 by mail, fax, or hand delivery. The district accepts a Texas ID showing the home's address or a military ID with a utility bill. You do not need to pay any company to file.
When is the protest deadline for Coryell County?
The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after Coryell CAD mailed your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. You can file through the Online Protest portal, with the form on your notice, with Comptroller Form 50-132, or with a letter that identifies you and the property and says you disagree.
Who collects property taxes in Coryell County?
The Coryell County Tax Assessor-Collector collects property taxes, not the appraisal district. The tax office is at 800 E. Main St., Suite B, in Gatesville, phone 254-248-3142, with an annex at 809 S. Main St. in Copperas Cove, phone 254-547-4285. Taxes are due on receipt and penalties generally begin February 1.
Planning a Coryell County Purchase?
I'll check the county, school district, and exemptions on any home you're considering and build your estimate on the taxes you'll actually pay.
Get Pre-Approved | Book a Free Consultation
Related Guides
- Buying a Home in Killeen
- VA Loans in Texas
- Bell County Appraisal District Guide
- McLennan County Appraisal District Guide
- How to File a Homestead Exemption in Texas
- Texas Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
- Closing Costs in Texas
Sources
- Coryell Central Appraisal District: home page, contact, exemptions FAQ, ARB FAQ, property values FAQ, Texas tax system FAQ, ownership FAQ, taxing entities, forms, how to protest online, the homestead no-fee notice, and its homestead exemption guide and 2026 holiday schedule (PDFs linked from the site)
- Coryell County Tax Office
- Texas Comptroller: Coryell County directory, Appraisal Protests and Appeals, Property Tax Exemptions, Form 50-114, and Form 50-132
- U.S. Army: Fort Hood renaming article and Fort Hood's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (Bell and Coryell counties)
- 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 Coryell Central Appraisal District, the Coryell County Appraisal Review Board, the Coryell County Tax Office, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the U.S. Army, or any government agency. Contact Coryell CAD directly for official values, deadlines, and exemption decisions.