Search a Jim Wells County Parcel, Check Its Appraisal and Complete the Correct Exemption, Protest or Tax Task
Jim Wells County property records cover homes and businesses in Alice, Orange Grove, Premont and nearby communities, together with ranches, farms, manufactured homes, mineral interests, rural acreage and business personal-property accounts.
This guide explains how to search the official appraisal database, review property characteristics and taxable values, use the map, apply for exemptions, prepare an Appraisal Review Board protest, check tax balances and research deeds or mineral documents.
The correct Jim Wells CAD telephone number is 361-668-9656. The district has warned that an incorrect number appeared on some 2026 Notices of Appraised Value.Start With the Correct Jim Wells County Office
The appraisal district, county Tax Assessor-Collector and County Clerk perform different property-related duties.
Choose Your Property Task
How to Search Jim Wells County CAD Property Records
The entire JWCAD database can be searched by owner name, property address, account number or doing-business-as name.
Use the appraisal district page rather than an unofficial paid property-record service.
The account number from an appraisal notice or tax statement normally gives the most accurate result.
Start with the last name. For a company, estate or trust, try one distinctive word before using the full name.
Try the house number and main street name without punctuation, direction or road-type abbreviations.
A business personal-property account may be indexed under the business name rather than the property owner’s personal name.
One owner can have separate records for a residence, vacant lot, ranch, business property, mobile home or mineral interest.
For rural property, compare the abstract, survey, tract and acreage with the recorded deed.
Make sure the values, exemptions and tax information belong to the year being researched.
Print the account or save it as a PDF before requesting a correction, applying for an exemption or filing a protest.
Best Search Method for Different Properties
| Property Situation | Best Search Method | Important Details to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Alice residence | Street address or owner name | City, school district, homestead, living area and improvement details. |
| Orange Grove property | Address, owner or account number | City boundary, school district, land size and taxing units. |
| Premont property | Address or owner name | City, Premont ISD, exemptions and tax balance. |
| Ben Bolt or rural property | Owner, account, survey or abstract | Acreage, homesite, agricultural value, road access and legal description. |
| Farm or ranch | Owner plus every account number | Separate tracts, productivity value, agricultural use and rollback exposure. |
| Business property | DBA or owner name | Real-estate account, personal-property account, location and rendition status. |
| Manufactured home | Owner, address or account | Home owner, land owner, title status and separate accounts. |
| Mineral interest | Owner, account or legal area | Ownership percentage, value, production and recorded mineral documents. |
How to Read a Jim Wells County Appraisal Record
Available fields can vary by property type and tax year. Review the complete account rather than relying only on the first search result.
| Record Field | What It Means | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Account number | The identifier used by JWCAD for appraisal and tax collection. | Use the same number for payments, protests and office questions. |
| Owner name | The owner currently shown in the appraisal database. | Compare it with the newest recorded deed or ownership document. |
| Mailing address | Address used for appraisal and tax correspondence. | Do not confuse it with the property’s physical address. |
| Property address | The assigned physical location of the property. | Rural tracts may not have a complete conventional address. |
| Legal description | Appraisal description of the lot, block, subdivision, survey, abstract or tract. | Use the recorded deed for legal decisions. |
| Land value | Value assigned to the land portion of the account. | Acreage, access, location, utility availability, use and land class. |
| Improvement value | Value assigned to homes, commercial buildings and other structures. | Size, age, quality, condition, additions and removed buildings. |
| Market value | The appraisal district’s estimate of market value as of January 1. | Property characteristics, condition and comparable market evidence. |
| Appraised value | Value after an applicable appraisal limitation. | Whether a homestead cap or circuit-breaker limitation applies. |
| Taxable value | Value remaining after exemptions for each taxing unit. | Taxable values can differ between the county, school, city and special districts. |
| Tax balance | Current or delinquent amount shown in the collection system. | Tax year, penalty, interest, attorney charges and payment history. |
How to Use the Jim Wells CAD Map
The appraisal map helps identify the general location of a parcel and compare surrounding accounts. It is not a professional survey.
Save the account number, owner, legal description and acreage.
Use the same account information to identify the correct parcel.
Check whether adjoining acreage, lots, access strips or improvements have separate accounts.
Look for additions, shops, barns, tanks, mobile homes or demolished structures that may affect the record.
Market Value, Appraised Value and Taxable Value
Residence-homestead appraisal cap
A qualifying residence homestead’s appraised value generally cannot exceed the prior year’s appraised value plus 10 percent, plus the market value of new improvements.
The cap normally begins in the year after the owner first qualifies for the homestead exemption. It does not limit the market-value line to a 10 percent increase.
2026 non-homestead appraisal limitation
Qualifying non-homestead real property valued at $5,320,000 or less may receive a 20 percent annual appraisal limitation for 2026.
Agricultural land, timberland, recreational or scenic land, public-access airport property and restricted-use timberland are excluded from this temporary limitation.
Jim Wells County Taxing Units
An individual property is taxed only by the entities whose legal boundaries include that parcel. The postal city does not always identify the school district or emergency-services district.
County and cities
School districts
Special districts
Jim Wells County Residence Homestead Exemption
A residence homestead exemption lowers taxable value and can activate appraisal-cap and tax-ceiling protections.
| Exemption or Protection | 2026 Texas Rule | Main Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| General school homestead | $140,000 school-district exemption. | Ownership interest and principal-residence use. |
| Age 65 or older | Additional $60,000 school-district exemption. | Qualifying homeowner is age 65 or older. |
| Disabled person | Additional $60,000 school-district exemption. | Owner meets the statutory disability definition. |
| School tax ceiling | Limits qualifying school taxes after age or disability approval. | Approved exemption and continued homestead use. |
| Homestead appraisal cap | Generally limits appraised-value growth to 10 percent plus new improvements. | Normally begins the year after first qualification. |
| Local-option exemption | A local taxing unit may provide additional relief. | Depends on the unit’s adopted exemption. |
How to apply
Confirm the owner, account number, physical address and legal description.
The applicant cannot claim another general residence homestead for the same year.
Use the official Residence Homestead Exemption Application.
Provide the driver’s-license or other identification information required by the application.
Additional proof may be required when the identification address differs from the homestead address.
Include age, disability, veteran, surviving-spouse or heir-property documents when applicable.
Residence homestead applications also have statutory late-filing rights in qualifying situations.
Confirm that the exemption appears for each eligible school, county, city and special district.
Inherited or Heir Property Homestead
An heir-property owner can qualify for a residence homestead exemption even when the applicant is not individually identified on a conventional recorded deed.
- Completed residence homestead application
- Affidavit establishing an ownership interest
- Prior owner’s death certificate
- Recent utility bill for the property
- Available court records concerning ownership
- Identification and proof of principal-residence use
- Required affidavits from other occupying heir owners
Disabled Veteran and Survivor Exemptions
| Qualification | General Exemption | Important Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 29 percent disability rating | $5,000 exemption on one qualifying property. | VA or military disability documents. |
| 30 to 49 percent disability rating | $7,500 exemption. | VA or military disability documents. |
| 50 to 69 percent disability rating | $10,000 exemption. | VA or military disability documents. |
| 70 to 100 percent disability rating | $12,000 partial exemption under the general program. | VA or military disability documents. |
| 100 percent disabled veteran homestead | Total exemption for a qualifying residence homestead. | Qualifying VA decision and homestead records. |
| Qualifying surviving spouse | Certain veteran, military or first-responder exemptions may continue. | Marriage, death, service, occupancy and no-remarriage documents. |
Jim Wells County Agricultural and Wildlife Appraisal
Qualifying land is valued according to its agricultural or timber productivity instead of its unrestricted market value. The benefit is a special appraisal, not a complete exemption.
| Qualification Area | General Requirement | Useful Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Current agricultural use | Land must be devoted principally to agriculture. | Lease, livestock, crop, hay or production records. |
| Degree of intensity | The operation must meet the level generally accepted in the local area. | Stocking, fencing, water, cultivation and management records. |
| Use history | Land generally must have qualifying use during five of the preceding seven years. | Prior leases, receipts, photographs and sworn statements. |
| Wildlife management | Land generally must already qualify and use approved wildlife-management practices. | Wildlife plan, maps, activity records and photographs. |
| Change of use | A non-agricultural use can create rollback taxes. | Affected acreage, proposed use and written rollback estimate. |
Application process
Record the account number, owner, legal description and acreage for each tract.
The residence, yard and other non-agricultural areas normally receive different appraisal treatment.
Describe the current use, operators, acreage and agricultural history.
Useful evidence includes leases, livestock purchases, feed, veterinary bills, seed, fertilizer, harvest and sales records.
Ask JWCAD about extension and late-filing provisions before assuming the application cannot be accepted.
Continue documenting land use after approval.
Residential development, subdivision or commercial use can change the property’s special-appraisal treatment.
Business Personal Property Renditions
A business owner may be required to report tangible personal property used to produce income.
| Requirement | 2026 Timing | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Property date | January 1, 2026 | Identify taxable assets owned or managed on January 1. |
| Regular deadline | April 15, 2026 | File the completed rendition by the deadline. |
| Written extension | Generally through May 15 | Request the extension before April 15. |
| Additional extension | Additional time for good cause | Submit the required written explanation. |
| Late filing | Penalty may apply | Contact JWCAD instead of ignoring the account. |
Property commonly reported
- Inventory
- Machinery and equipment
- Furniture and fixtures
- Computers and office equipment
- Tools and leased assets
- Supplies
- Specialized oilfield or industrial equipment
- Certain business vehicles
How to Protest a Jim Wells County Appraisal
The usual protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after JWCAD mails the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Use the exact deadline printed on the notice.
| Protest Issue | Useful Evidence | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Market value is too high | Comparable sales, appraisal, photographs and repair estimates. | Only saying that taxes are unaffordable. |
| Unequal appraisal | Comparable appraised values adjusted for important property differences. | Comparing unrelated property types or locations. |
| Incorrect property details | Measurements, photographs, permits, demolition records and surveys. | Unsupported statements. |
| Agricultural appraisal denied | Use history, leases, livestock, crop and management records. | Assuming rural ownership automatically qualifies. |
| Exemption denied | Ownership, occupancy, age, disability or veteran documents. | Submitting an incomplete application. |
| Business-property value | Asset list, acquisition dates, condition, depreciation and rendition documents. | Submitting only a total value without supporting detail. |
| Mineral interest | Division orders, production, royalty statements and recorded mineral documents. | Assuming surface ownership proves mineral ownership. |
Protest steps
Confirm the account, proposed value and exact protest deadline.
Check the land, improvements, owner, exemptions, property class and value history.
Property owners who file a protest can access JWCAD’s evidence packet through the online portal.
Use Form 50-132 or another written notice that identifies the owner, property and disputed action.
Keep the online confirmation, stamped copy, fax record or certified-mail receipt.
Study the sales, property card, photographs, schedules and other evidence before the hearing.
A supported factual correction or value change may be resolved before the formal hearing.
Lead with the requested value and strongest evidence.
Focus on value, equality, exemption eligibility or record errors rather than the amount of tax.
Further appeal options can include binding arbitration, SOAH or district court when eligible.
Options After Missing the Regular Protest Deadline
Missing the standard deadline does not always end every remedy. The available option depends on the reason, appraisal-roll status and tax-payment history.
How to Search and Pay Jim Wells County Property Taxes
The Texas Comptroller states that the elected Jim Wells County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect real-property taxes. Property owners should begin with the Jim Wells County Appraisal District.
Confirm the owner, account number, legal description and tax year.
Paying the newest bill does not automatically clear older delinquent taxes.
Request a current payoff when an account is delinquent.
Review county, city, school, groundwater, water-authority and emergency-services taxes.
Do not pay twice when a lender is already scheduled to pay the account.
Start from JWCAD’s official website and follow its current online payment instructions.
An electronic-payment convenience fee is separate from the property tax.
Keep the account number, tax year, amount, date and transaction confirmation.
Contact the JWCAD tax-collection staff before repeating a transaction that remains pending.
Installment and Deferral Options
| Installment | Usual Timing When the Delinquency Date Is February 1 |
|---|---|
| First one-fourth | Before February 1, with notice that installments are being requested. |
| Second one-fourth | Before April 1. |
| Third one-fourth | Before June 1. |
| Final one-fourth | Before August 1. |
How to Search Jim Wells County Deeds, Liens and Mineral Records
The County Clerk maintains official real-property records. The online search supports grantor and grantee names, subdivisions, document types, document numbers and full-text searching.
Save the owner name, account number, legal description and approximate transfer date.
Choose Quick Search or Advanced Search.
Try current owners, prior owners, trusts, estates, companies and spelling variations.
Look for warranty deeds, deeds of trust, releases, mechanic’s liens, judgments, easements, mineral deeds and oil or gas leases.
Do not rely only on a name when the owner has several properties or mineral interests.
The official portal can search document text, but OCR may misread names, numbers or legal descriptions.
A deed may refer to a prior deed, plat, easement, restriction, mineral reservation or release.
The Clerk’s posted fee schedule lists $1 per page for regular copies and $5 for certified copies. Recording fees are separate.
Jim Wells County Property Buyer Checklist
- Correct owner and account number
- Legal description and acreage
- Land and improvement values
- Homestead or agricultural appraisal
- Correct taxing units
- Current and prior values
- Current tax balance
- All delinquent years
- Penalty and interest
- Deferral or installment status
- Mortgage escrow status
- Tax lawsuit or foreclosure status
- Current warranty deed
- Deeds of trust and releases
- Judgment and mechanic’s liens
- Easements and legal access
- Mineral deeds and reservations
- Probate or heirship records
- Professional survey
- Legal and physical access
- Flood and drainage research
- Water, well and septic availability
- Pipeline and utility easements
- Building and subdivision requirements
Local Jim Wells County Property Scenarios
| Property Situation | Important Checks | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Alice home | City, Alice ISD, homestead, improvement size, condition and tax balance. | City property may include more taxing units than nearby rural property. |
| Orange Grove residence | City boundary, Orange Grove ISD, exemptions and land details. | The postal address does not always show every taxing boundary. |
| Premont property | City status, Premont ISD, account history and tax balance. | City and school taxes must be confirmed on the individual account. |
| Ranch or grazing land | Agricultural history, stocking, fencing, water, lease, homesite and rollback exposure. | Rural ownership alone does not prove agricultural qualification. |
| Oil, gas or mineral interest | Mineral account, division order, production, royalty statements and recorded instruments. | Surface and mineral ownership may be different. |
| Manufactured home | Home owner, land owner, title, location and homestead eligibility. | The home and land can have separate accounts and owners. |
| Business or oilfield equipment | DBA account, asset list, rendition, age, condition and depreciation. | Business personal property is valued separately from the real estate. |
| New rural homesite | New improvements, agricultural acreage removed, access, septic, utility and rollback tax. | Construction can change both market value and special-appraisal treatment. |
How to Correct a Jim Wells CAD Record
| Problem | Correct Starting Point | Evidence to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Incorrect mailing address | JWCAD | Account number, owner information and signed address request. |
| Recent deed not reflected | County Clerk, then JWCAD | Recorded instrument number, date and deed copy. |
| Wrong legal description or acreage | County Clerk, surveyor and JWCAD | Deed, plat, survey and appraisal map. |
| Incorrect building details | JWCAD appraisal staff | Measurements, photographs, permits and demolition records. |
| Missing homestead exemption | JWCAD | Form 50-114, identification and occupancy documents. |
| Missing agricultural appraisal | JWCAD | Form 50-129, leases, use history and production evidence. |
| Tax payment not posted | JWCAD tax-collection staff | Receipt, transaction number, account, tax year and payment date. |
| Appraised value disputed | JWCAD and Appraisal Review Board | Notice of Protest and market-value or unequal-appraisal evidence. |
Jim Wells County Property Office Contacts
| Office | Contact Details | Main Services |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Wells County Appraisal District |
Chief Appraiser: G. Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. 1600 E. Main Street, Suite 100 Alice, TX 78332 Mailing: P.O. Box 607, Alice, TX 78333 Phone: 361-668-9656 Fax: 361-668-6423 Email: administration@jimwellscad.org Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
Property search, appraisal, exemptions, agricultural appraisal, maps, protests, tax balances and property-tax collection. |
| Jim Wells County Clerk |
J.C. Perez III, County Clerk 200 N. Almond Street, Suite 103 Alice, TX 78332 Mailing: P.O. Box 1459, Alice, TX 78333 Phone: 361-668-5702, press 3 Fax: 361-661-1372 Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Deeds, liens, easements, plats, mineral records, foreclosure notices and certified copies. |
| Jim Wells County Tax Assessor-Collector |
Mary Lozano, Tax Assessor-Collector 601 E. Main Street, Suite 175 Alice, TX 78332 Mailing: P.O. Box 1051, Alice, TX 78333 Phone: 361-668-5720, press 3 Monday through Friday: 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Vehicles, voter registration, boats and related county services. This office does not collect real-property taxes. |
Jim Wells County Appraisal District Map
The appraisal district office is located at 1600 E. Main Street, Suite 100 in Alice.
Official Jim Wells County Property Resources
Jim Wells County CAD Property Search FAQs
What is the correct Jim Wells County Appraisal District phone number?
The correct JWCAD phone number is 361-668-9656. The district warned that an incorrect number appeared on some 2026 Notices of Appraised Value.
Where is the Jim Wells CAD office?
The appraisal district is located at 1600 E. Main Street, Suite 100, Alice, Texas 78332.
What are JWCAD’s business hours?
The official contact page lists Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How can I search a Jim Wells County property?
The appraisal database can be searched by owner name, property address, account number or doing-business-as name.
Does the county Tax Assessor-Collector collect property taxes?
No. The Texas Comptroller directory states that the elected county Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect real-property taxes. Begin property-tax payment research with JWCAD.
What is the 2026 school homestead exemption?
The mandatory school-district residence homestead exemption is $140,000.
What additional exemption applies to an owner age 65 or older or disabled?
A qualifying owner receives an additional mandatory $60,000 school-district residence homestead exemption.
What is the usual appraisal protest deadline?
The usual deadline is May 15 or 30 days after JWCAD mails the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later.
Can I see JWCAD’s evidence before my hearing?
Yes. Property owners who file a protest can access the district’s evidence packet through the online portal after creating or using an account.
What is the agricultural appraisal deadline?
The regular deadline for a 1-d-1 agricultural application is April 30. Extension and limited late-filing rules may apply.
How many years does an agricultural rollback generally cover?
A current 1-d-1 rollback generally recaptures the tax difference for the previous three years when the land changes to a non-agricultural use.
Where can I search Jim Wells County deeds and liens?
Use the Jim Wells County Clerk Official Records Search at jimwells.tx.publicsearch.us.
Can the CAD map be used as a legal survey?
No. Appraisal maps are research tools and do not replace a recorded deed, title examination, plat or professional survey.
Independent Editorial Notice
County-CAD.us is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Jim Wells County Appraisal District, the Jim Wells County Appraisal Review Board, Jim Wells County Clerk, Jim Wells County Tax Assessor-Collector, any taxing unit or the State of Texas.
Property values, exemptions, deadlines, tax rates, balances, officeholders, office hours, forms and procedures can change. Verify time-sensitive information with the responsible official office before filing, paying or making a property decision.
Last reviewed: July 15, 2026.
Estimate Taxes, Exemptions, Escrow, Protest Savings and Next Steps
This sitewide tool helps homeowners, buyers, sellers and investors understand property tax numbers before they check the official county appraisal district or tax office. It runs in your browser, does not collect personal data and gives practical next steps after each calculation.
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Choose your main goal. The tool will guide you to the right calculation or next step.
Use Tax, Exemption and Protest tabs to understand your appraisal notice and possible savings.
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Property Tax Estimate Calculator
Estimate annual tax using property value, assessment ratio, exemptions and local tax rate.
Homestead and Exemption Savings
Estimate how much a homestead, senior, disabled, veteran or local exemption may reduce annual tax.
Monthly Escrow / Ownership Cost
Estimate monthly property tax, insurance, HOA and reserve cushion. Useful for buyers and homeowners comparing affordability.
Property Tax Protest Savings
Estimate possible savings if your appraised value is reduced after a protest, evidence review or correction.
Appraised Value Growth / Cap Impact
Estimate how a value increase or appraisal cap may affect taxable value. Rules vary by state, county and exemption status.
Home Buyer Monthly Budget Estimate
Estimate a more realistic monthly ownership cost by adding mortgage, property tax, insurance and HOA.
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