The Hill County Appraisal District (Hill CAD) appraises property in Hill County at its January 1 market value, administers homestead and other exemptions, and is the office where value protests start. Hill CAD also collects taxes: its site says it serves 39 taxing entities and collects taxes for 21 of them. Hill CAD is at 1407 Abbott Avenue, Hillsboro, TX 76645, phone (254) 582-2508, online at hillcad.org. If you searched for the "Hill County Central Appraisal District," this is the office you want; its official name is the Hill County Appraisal District.
I'm Taylor Ring, a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (The Wood Group) in Belton. I'm not affiliated with Hill CAD. If you're comparing a home in Hillsboro or Whitney with one in the Waco area, compare the tax side too, because in Hill County the appraisal district also collects many of the tax bills. Everything below comes from hillcad.org and the Texas Comptroller, read October 27, 2026.
Buying in Hill County? Get Pre-Approved or Book a Free Consultation.
Hill CAD and Tax Office Contacts
| Office | Address | Phone / Email | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill County Appraisal District (values, exemptions, protests) | 1407 Abbott Avenue, Hillsboro, TX 76645; mail to P.O. Box 416, Hillsboro, TX 76645-0416 | (254) 582-2508; fax (254) 582-3654; hcad@hillcad.org | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Hill CAD Tax Collections (school and city bills listed below) | Same as above | (254) 582-2508 | Same as above |
| Hill County Tax Office (county and related bills) | 126 Covington St., Hillsboro, TX 76645; P.O. Box 412 | (254) 582-4000 | Contact the tax office directly |
| Whitney ISD Tax Assessor-Collector | 305 S San Jacinto St., Whitney, TX 76692; P.O. Box 592 | (254) 694-2409 | Contact Whitney ISD directly |
Source: Hill CAD home page, contact page, tax collections page, and the Comptroller's Hill County directory.
Who Sends Your Hill County Tax Bill
This is the part that surprises buyers. In Hill County, you may get bills from more than one office, depending on where the home is. Hill CAD's tax collections page splits it this way:
- Hill CAD Tax Collections collects for Abbott, Aquilla, Blum, Bynum, Covington, Hillsboro, Hubbard, Itasca, Malone, Mt. Calm, and Penelope ISDs, and the cities of Blum, Bynum, Carl's Corner, Covington, Hillsboro, Hubbard, Itasca, Malone, Mt. Calm, and Whitney.
- The Hill County Tax Office collects for Hill County, the Lateral Road fund, Hill County ESD #1 and #2, Hill College, Tehuacana WID, and the cities of Mertens and Penelope.
- Whitney ISD collects its own taxes.
If you escrow, your servicer pays each bill for you. You still want to know how many there are, so nothing gets missed when the escrow account is set up at closing. My what is escrow in a mortgage guide explains how that works.
Paying online: Hill CAD's pay taxes online page takes payments through a third-party processor that charges its own fee. Hill CAD notes online payments typically take 2 to 3 business days to post, and a partial payment does not extend the delinquency date.
How to Look Up a Property on Hill CAD
- Go to esearch.hillcad.org (the Property Search link on hillcad.org).
- Search by owner, address, or ID.
- Open the account to see values, exemptions, and taxing units. Hill CAD also has an interactive map.
Hill CAD points owners to hill.countytaxrates.com for estimated taxes, since the estimate no longer appears on the value notice.
What to Check on a Listing's Record
- The school district. Hill CAD's 2026 exemption list includes school districts you might not expect, such as Axtell, Dawson, Frost, Grandview, Milford, Rio Vista, and West ISDs.
- Inside or outside city limits. A Whitney or Hillsboro mailing address doesn't always mean a city tax; the Hill CAD record lists the taxing units on the account.
- The seller's exemptions. Hill CAD explains that the homestead cap applies the year after an owner first receives the homestead exemption. The seller's cap and exemptions are the seller's, not yours.
How Hill CAD Values Homes
From Hill CAD's tax overview:
- Property is taxable at 100% of market value as of January 1, unless an exemption or special appraisal (such as agricultural productivity value) applies.
- Hill CAD uses mass appraisal, grouping similar properties and using recent sales.
- It may use the market, income, and cost approaches. For homes, the market approach is used most often: what are similar homes selling for?
- Three things set your tax amount: the appraised value from Hill CAD, your exemptions, and the tax rates each taxing unit adopts.
The 10% Homestead Cap, Using Hill CAD's Example
Hill CAD's example: a homestead with a January 1 market value of $200,000 that was appraised at $175,000 the year before has a capped appraised value of $192,500 ($175,000 x 1.10). Hill CAD says a home qualifies for the cap the year after the owner first received the homestead exemption.
Filing Your Homestead Exemption With Hill CAD
- The form: the Hill CAD Homestead Exemption application on the CAD Forms page. Some owners also need a Form 50-114-A affidavit, for example when the owner isn't named on the recorded deed.
- What to attach: Hill CAD says every homestead application must include a copy of the applicant's driver's license or other information the Tax Code requires.
- Where to send it: Hill CAD's forms page says to mail completed forms to Hill County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 416, Hillsboro, TX 76645. You can call or visit the office at 1407 Abbott Avenue with questions.
- Online account: Hill CAD's taxpayer portal lets you enroll to see property details, opt into electronic communication, review documents, and manage applications.
- When: the Comptroller's Form 50-114 says applications are generally due April 30. If you missed it, ask Hill CAD about a late application; Form 50-114 explains the late-filing rules.
Bought after January 1? The Texas Comptroller says you can receive the general homestead exemption for the applicable portion of the year if the previous owner did not receive the same exemption that year.
Own land in two counties? Hill CAD's FAQ notes that if a taxing unit overlaps two or more counties, you apply in each county's appraisal district.
2026 Homestead Exemption Amounts in Hill County
From Hill CAD's 2026 Tax Rates and Exemptions list, dated October 9, 2026. Hill CAD notes the list was compiled from district records and asks owners to confirm with each taxing entity.
| Taxing unit | General homestead | Over 65 | Disabled |
|---|---|---|---|
| School districts on the list (Hillsboro, Itasca, Hubbard, Whitney ISD, and others) | $140,000 | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Whitney ISD (local option, in addition) | None | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Hill County | None | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Hill County Lateral Road | $3,000 (state mandated) | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| City of Hillsboro | None | $10,000 | $3,000 |
| City of Whitney | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| City of Malone | 10% (at least $5,000) | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Notes from the same list:
- An owner who is over 65 or disabled and gets the $10,000 local option from Lateral Road won't also receive its $3,000 state amount.
- Hubbard City freezes tax ceilings for over-65 owners only and grants no homestead exemptions. Hill College freezes ceilings for over-65 and disabled owners but grants no homestead exemptions.
- 100% disabled veterans receive a total exemption on their residence. Partial disabled veteran exemptions run $5,000 to $12,000 by rating.
See my Texas homestead exemption over 65 guide, the Texas disabled veteran property tax exemption guide, and how to file a homestead exemption in Texas.
How to Protest Your Hill County Appraisal
- Deadline: Hill CAD's property tax information sheet says the normal deadline is May 15. The Comptroller's calendar on Hill CAD's site sets it as May 15 or 30 days after the notice, whichever is later. Use the date on your notice.
- Where: protests go to the Hill County Appraisal Review Board. Hill CAD's menu links to its taxpayer portal for online protests, and its forms page has the Notice of Protest and the Form 50-283 affidavit if you'd rather submit evidence in writing.
- Hearing format: the Comptroller says you can appear in person, by phone or video, or by written affidavit, and you may ask for an informal conference with district staff first.
- One postponement: Hill CAD's 2026 ARB hearing procedures say an owner without an agent gets one postponement without showing cause, if requested in writing before the hearing date.
For the full statewide process, including evidence and appeals, see my Texas property tax protest guide.
Hill County Property Tax Calendar
| When | What Happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Market value and ownership set as of this date | Hill CAD |
| January 1 to April 30 | Exemption applications processed | Hill CAD |
| Spring | Notices of appraised value mailed | Hill CAD |
| May 15 (or 30 days after notice) | Protest deadline, whichever is later | Hill CAD calendar |
| Around May 15 | ARB begins hearing protests | Hill CAD |
| August or September | Taxing units adopt tax rates | Hill CAD |
| Around October 1 | Tax bills go out | Hill CAD |
| January 31 | Last day to pay before penalties | Hill CAD |
| February 1 | Penalty and interest begin on most unpaid bills | Hill CAD |
Remaining 2026 office closures on Hill CAD's holiday list: November 11, November 26 and 27, and December 24 and 25.
Planning Your Payment in Hill County
Hypothetical example: A buyer is choosing between two homes near Whitney. One is inside the city with Whitney ISD; the other is outside the city in a different school district. Same price, but the first carries a city tax line and is billed partly by Hill CAD Tax Collections, partly by the county tax office, and partly by Whitney ISD. The buyer asks for an estimate on each before making an offer. Hypothetical scenario; tax lines vary by property.
My checklist for Hill County buyers:
- Confirm the school district and city on the Hill CAD record, and note which office bills each tax.
- Estimate taxes on full market value with your own exemptions. See how much house can I afford in Texas.
- File your homestead once your driver's license shows the new address.
- If you're looking at rural acreage, check whether a USDA loan fits on my USDA home loan Texas map page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hill County Appraisal District?
The Hill County Appraisal District, or Hill CAD, appraises property in Hill County at January 1 market value, administers exemptions, and handles the start of value protests. Hill CAD says it serves 39 taxing entities and also collects taxes for 21 of them. Its office is at 1407 Abbott Avenue in Hillsboro, phone 254-582-2508.
Is the Hill County Central Appraisal District the same as Hill CAD?
Yes. People often search for the Hill County Central Appraisal District, but the district's official name is the Hill County Appraisal District, or Hill CAD. Its website is hillcad.org, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 416, Hillsboro, TX 76645.
How do I file a homestead exemption with Hill CAD?
Download the Hill CAD homestead exemption application from the CAD Forms page, attach a copy of your driver's license, and mail it to Hill County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 416, Hillsboro, TX 76645. The Comptroller's homestead form says applications are generally due April 30.
Who collects property taxes in Hill County?
It depends on the taxing unit. Hill CAD Tax Collections collects for many school districts and cities, the Hill County Tax Office collects for Hill County, Hill College, the ESDs, and a few cities, and Whitney ISD collects its own taxes. A single home can receive more than one bill.
What is the Hill CAD protest deadline?
Hill CAD says the normal protest deadline is May 15. Under the Comptroller's calendar posted on Hill CAD's site, the deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice of appraised value, whichever is later, so use the date on your notice. Protests go to the Hill County Appraisal Review Board.
Planning a Purchase in Hill County?
I'll check the school district, city, and every tax line on any Hillsboro, Whitney, or Itasca home 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
- Buying a Home in Waco
- Texas Property Tax Protest Guide
- How to File a Homestead Exemption in Texas
- What Is Escrow in a Mortgage?
- Closing Costs in Texas
Sources
- Hill County Appraisal District: home page, contact, tax collections and taxing entities, pay taxes online, tax overview, FAQs, CAD forms, truth in taxation, property tax deadlines calendar, 2026 tax rates and exemptions, property tax information sheet, 2026 ARB hearing procedures, and 2026 holidays
- Texas Comptroller: property tax exemptions, protests and appeals, Form 50-114, and Hill 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 Hill County Appraisal District, Hill CAD Tax Collections, the Hill County Appraisal Review Board, the Hill County Tax Assessor-Collector, Whitney ISD, or any government agency. Contact Hill CAD directly for official values, deadlines, and exemption decisions.