Refugio County CAD Property Search Appraisal District

Refugio County, Texas Property Guide

Search a Refugio County Parcel, Review Its Coastal Texas Appraisal and Complete the Correct Exemption, Protest, Tax or Deed Task

Refugio County combines homes in Refugio and Woodsboro, coastal property near Bayside and Austwell, Tivoli-area acreage, ranches, agricultural and wildlife land, mobile homes, businesses, utilities, pipelines and thousands of oil, gas and mineral accounts.

This guide explains the current Refugio CAD property search, interactive map, market and taxable values, 2026 exemptions, agricultural appraisal, wildlife reports, mineral accounts, Appraisal Review Board protests, property-tax payments and official deed records.

The official website uses the name Refugio Central Appraisal District. Its annual reports also identify the office as Refugio County Appraisal District.
Chief Appraiser Phillip E. Gonzales
Refugio CAD phone 361-526-5994
2025 parcel count 16,643 accounts
Current CAD office 420 N. Alamo, Refugio

Critical Corrections to the Existing Refugio County Article

Old or Incorrect Detail Verified Current Information Why the Change Matters
esearch.refugiocad.org The current official property search is integrated into refugiocad.org. The old standalone search domain is no longer the correct starting point.
307 N. Alamo Street The official current physical location is 420 N. Alamo Street, Refugio, TX 78377. Visitors using the old address can arrive at the wrong location.
361-526-2323 Refugio CAD’s official phone number is 361-526-5994. The old article lists an incorrect appraisal-office number.
Search covers only houses and land The current portal searches real estate, mineral property and personal property. Refugio County contains thousands of oil, gas, utility and business accounts.
Address search is the best method for every parcel Rural, agricultural, mineral and utility accounts may require Property ID, Geo ID, abstract, survey, lease name or legal-description searches. Many accounts do not have a normal street address.
May 15, 2026 is the deadline for every protest The usual deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails the notice, whichever is later. A later notice can create a later property-specific deadline.
April 30 is an absolute final homestead deadline The regular filing deadline is before May 1, but residence homestead applications have statutory late-filing rights. An eligible homeowner should not abandon a valid late application.
Tax rates are set by Refugio CAD Refugio CAD appraises property. Governing bodies of the county, cities, schools and special districts adopt tax rates. A value protest cannot challenge a tax rate adopted by a taxing unit.
Tax payments go to Refugio CAD Property-tax payments are handled through the Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector’s payment system. Appraisal and tax collection are separate functions.
Map lines are legal boundaries The CAD map is an appraisal and research tool and does not replace a deed, plat or survey. Online lines should not control fencing, access or construction decisions.
Delete the outdated address, phone and esearch.refugiocad.org link. The current official details are 420 N. Alamo Street, 361-526-5994 and refugiocad.org.

Which Refugio County Office Handles the Property Task?

Refugio CAD Property searches, appraised values, exemptions, agricultural and wildlife appraisal, maps, property corrections, renditions, protest administration and appraisal records.
Appraisal Review Board Formal hearings about market value, unequal appraisal, denied exemptions, agricultural qualification, ownership and other appealable CAD decisions.
Tax Assessor-Collector Property-tax balances, online payments, receipts, delinquent amounts, tax certificates, payment posting and county tax-office services.
County Clerk Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, mineral documents, plats, certified copies and property-fraud alerts.
Pritchard & Abbott Contract appraisal work for Refugio County mineral, utility and industrial accounts.
Local taxing entities The county, towns, school districts, hospital, drainage, groundwater and water-control districts adopt tax rates and budgets.
Surveyor or title company Exact boundaries, title, easements, access, mineral reservations, restrictions and closing protection.
Texas attorney Complex protests, arbitration, district-court appeals, mineral ownership, tax foreclosure, probate and title disputes.
Fast route: Find the correct CAD account first, save its Property ID and legal description, review the map and taxing units, and then use the correct office for the exemption, protest, payment or deed task.

Choose Your Refugio County Property Task

Best Search Method for Different Refugio County Records

Information Available Best Search Method What to Confirm
Property ID Property ID search Owner, tax year, property type, legal description and taxing units.
Geo ID Property or advanced search Complete geographic account and matching parcel.
Homeowner name Owner search Residence, vacant lots and any second account.
Street address Property-address search Street number, city, owner and correct parcel.
Ranch or agricultural tract Owner, legal description, abstract or acreage Survey, tract, acreage, homesite and qualified agricultural land.
Subdivision property Subdivision, lot, block or legal description Addition, lot, block and adjoining parcels.
Oil, gas or royalty interest Mineral Property, lease name or lease number Owner interest, lease, operator, abstract and tax status.
Business account Personal Property or owner search Business name, location, equipment value and rendition status.
Account with unpaid tax Show only properties with tax due Tax year, collector and current payoff.
Existing protest Protest-status filter or hearing search Open status, hearing date and account information.

How to Read a Refugio CAD Property Record

Record Field What It Means What to Check
Property ID The appraisal district’s internal account identifier. Use it on exemption, correction and protest communications.
Geo ID A structured geographic account number. Compare it with the appraisal notice and tax statement.
Owner Ownership currently carried in appraisal records. Compare it with the latest recorded deed or mineral instrument.
Property type Real estate, mineral property or personal property. Make sure you are reviewing the correct account class.
Legal description Appraisal description of the lot, tract, survey, abstract or lease. Use the recorded instrument for legally controlling language.
Land acreage Acreage carried for appraisal purposes. Confirm it with the deed, plat and survey.
Market value The district’s January 1 estimate of market value. Land, improvements, condition, use, access and market evidence.
Appraised value Value after an applicable appraisal limitation. Whether a homestead or circuit-breaker limit is shown.
Taxable value Appraised value after exemptions for a particular taxing unit. Each taxing unit can have a different taxable value.
Exemptions Homestead, age, disability, veteran or other approved relief. Confirm every expected exemption and taxing entity.
Agricultural value Productivity value assigned to qualifying open-space land. Do not confuse it with the land’s full market value.
Improvement data Building characteristics used in mass appraisal. Size, age, quality, condition, use and removed improvements.
Taxing units County, city, school and special districts connected to the account. Do not guess taxing jurisdiction from the postal city.

Using the Refugio CAD Interactive Map

The interactive map is useful for locating property, comparing neighboring accounts and understanding the general coastal, town or ranch setting.

Useful for General parcel location, nearby ownership, roads, neighboring tracts, aerial context and preliminary acreage review.
Not legal proof of Boundaries, access, easements, mineral ownership, flood status, setbacks, wetlands or buildability.
Cross-check with Deed, plat, survey, title commitment, FEMA records and local development requirements.
1
Find the Property ID first.

Copy the owner, legal description, Geo ID and acreage from the property record.

2
Open the official map.

Locate the same account and confirm the selected outline against the record.

3
Review adjoining parcels.

Look for separate homesites, access strips, mineral accounts, lots or agricultural tracts.

4
Check coastal and drainage context.

Aerial imagery can help identify water, drainage and road patterns, but it does not establish a regulatory flood determination.

5
Use legal records for final action.

Obtain the deed, easements, plat and survey before fencing, building, buying or dividing land.

Coastal map warning: Do not use CAD parcel lines alone for a seawall, fence, driveway, building pad, septic system, pipeline or access decision.
Final map action: Open the official Refugio CAD Interactive Map.

What Refugio CAD’s 2025 Annual Report Reveals

The latest annual report provides useful context about the size and composition of the appraisal roll. This helps explain why different account types require different search and valuation methods.

2025 Property Category Parcel Count Why It Matters
Single-family homes 3,064 Residential appraisal commonly uses market and cost evidence.
Vacant land 1,531 Access, size, location and development limitations affect comparison.
Qualified open-space agricultural land 3,749 The account can show both market value and lower productivity value.
Farm and ranch land and improvements 1,314 Homesites, barns, rural improvements and non-qualified acreage need separate review.
Oil, gas and minerals 3,765 Mineral accounts represent a major portion of the county’s records.
Utilities 479 Utility accounts often involve specialized appraisal.
Commercial and industrial personal property 393 Business renditions and depreciation schedules can affect value.
Mobile homes 325 A mobile home can have a separate owner and account from the land.
All district accounts 16,643 Always verify the property type before relying on a search result.
Protest context: The 2025 annual report records 1,258 protested parcels. Most completed cases were resolved through settlement rather than a final ARB value order.

Market Value, Appraised Value and Taxable Value

Estimated Tax = Taxable Value × Tax Rate ÷ 100
Property-Tax Number Meaning Common Mistake
Market value Refugio CAD’s estimate of market value as of January 1. Treating it as a guaranteed selling price.
Appraised value Market value after an applicable appraisal limitation. Assuming every property automatically receives a cap.
Taxable value Appraised value after exemptions for a specific taxing unit. Expecting the same taxable value for every entity.
Agricultural value Productivity value for qualifying open-space land. Using agricultural value as evidence of unrestricted market value.
Tax rate Rate adopted by each county, city, school or special district. Blaming the appraisal district for an adopted rate.

Residence-homestead appraisal cap

A qualifying residence homestead’s appraised value generally cannot increase by more than 10% over the preceding year’s appraised value, plus the market value of new improvements.

The limitation normally begins January 1 of the year after the owner first qualifies for the residence homestead exemption. Market value can still increase by more than 10% while appraised value remains limited.

2026 non-homestead circuit-breaker limitation

For 2026, qualifying real property that is not a residence homestead may receive a 20% appraisal limitation when its value is $5,320,000 or less.

Agricultural land, timberland and certain other specially appraised property are excluded. The temporary circuit-breaker provision is scheduled to expire after December 31, 2026 unless Texas law changes.

Latest Published Refugio County Tax Rates

The latest complete rate table published by Refugio CAD at editorial review was for tax year 2025. These figures are historical references and must not be presented as adopted 2026 rates.

Taxing Jurisdiction 2025 Rate Per $100 2026 Use
Refugio County 0.8000 Prior-year reference only.
Town of Austwell 0.1688 Applies only inside the town taxing unit.
Town of Bayside 0.4789 Prior-year reference only.
Town of Refugio 1.062234 Prior-year reference only.
Town of Woodsboro 0.7190 Prior-year reference only.
Woodsboro ISD 1.233833 Confirm the parcel’s school district and new rate.
Austwell-Tivoli ISD 1.46866 Confirm the adopted 2026 school rate.
Refugio ISD 0.851639 The district includes split-county territory.
Memorial Hospital District 0.2895 Prior-year reference only.
WCID No. 1 0.4495 Verify that the property lies inside the district.
WCID No. 2 0.00122 Verify the account’s entity list.
Drainage District No. 1 0.1378 Prior-year reference only.
Groundwater Conservation District 0.01500 Prior-year reference only.
Do not estimate a final 2026 bill with 2025 rates. Local officials generally propose and adopt current-year rates during August and September after appraisal values are certified.
Final rate-research action: Review the newest files on the Refugio CAD Data and Records page.

Refugio County Residence Homestead Exemptions for 2026

A residence homestead exemption reduces taxable value on an eligible principal residence. It can also activate the homestead appraisal cap and, for qualifying age-65 or disabled owners, a school-tax ceiling.

Exemption or Protection 2026 State Rule Main Qualification
General school homestead $140,000 school-district exemption. Ownership interest and principal-residence use.
Age 65 or older Additional mandatory $60,000 school exemption. Owner is age 65 or older and occupies the home.
Disabled person Additional mandatory $60,000 school exemption. Owner meets the Social Security disability definition.
School-tax ceiling Limits qualifying school tax after age or disability qualification. Approved exemption and continued residence qualification.
Local-option relief County, city or special districts may adopt additional exemptions. Depends on the individual taxing entity.
Homestead appraisal cap Generally limits appraised-value growth to 10%, plus new improvements. Usually begins the year after first qualification.

How to apply

1
Find the correct property account.

Confirm the Property ID, owner, location and legal description.

2
Confirm principal-residence use.

The applicant must own an interest and use the property as the primary residence.

3
Complete Form 50-114.

Use the current Residence Homestead Exemption Application from Refugio CAD.

4
Attach identification.

Provide the driver’s-license or state-identification documentation required by the Texas Property Tax Code.

5
Explain an address mismatch.

Additional affidavits or documents may be needed when the identification address differs from the property address.

6
Add age, disability, veteran or heir-property documents.

Submit evidence for every additional exemption claimed.

7
File before May 1 when possible.

Refugio CAD lists the regular residence-homestead application deadline as before May 1.

8
Use late-filing rights when eligible.

Residence homestead applications may generally be filed up to two years after the regular deadline.

9
Review taxable values after approval.

Confirm that the correct exemptions appear for the school, county, city and applicable special districts.

New-owner protection: A person who buys and occupies a home after January 1 may qualify for a prorated general homestead exemption when the previous owner did not already receive that exemption for the same year.
Final homestead action: Download Form 50-114 from the official Refugio CAD Forms page.

Disabled Veteran and Survivor Exemptions

Qualification General Exemption Main Evidence
10%-29% disability rating Up to $5,000 on one qualifying property. VA or military disability documentation.
30%-49% disability rating Up to $7,500. VA or military disability documentation.
50%-69% disability rating Up to $10,000. VA or military disability documentation.
70%-100% disability rating Up to $12,000 under the partial program. VA or military disability documentation.
100% disabled veteran homestead Total exemption of a qualifying residence homestead. Qualifying VA rating or individual-unemployability determination.
Qualifying surviving spouse Certain veteran, military or first-responder exemptions may continue. Death, service, marriage, occupancy and remarriage information.
Choose the correct form: Form 50-114 and Form 50-135 cover different disabled-veteran and survivor situations. Do not submit both without identifying the statutory exemption being requested.

Refugio County Agricultural and Wildlife Appraisal

Refugio CAD lists Form 50-129 and the 2026 Wildlife Management Annual Report as due before May 1. Agricultural appraisal values qualifying land according to productivity rather than unrestricted market potential.

Qualification Area General Requirement Useful Evidence
Current agricultural use Land must be principally devoted to agriculture at locally accepted intensity. Leases, livestock, crop, hay, timber and production records.
Use history Land generally must have qualifying use during five of the preceding seven years. Prior leases, receipts, photographs and sworn statements.
Ranching Stocking and management must represent a genuine agricultural operation. Livestock inventory, veterinary records, feed and sale receipts.
Crop or hay production Cultivation, planting, harvesting and marketing must meet local practice. Seed, fertilizer, harvest, equipment and sales records.
Wildlife management Land generally must already qualify and must use approved wildlife-management practices. Wildlife plan, annual report, maps, logs and photographs.
Change of use A non-agricultural conversion can trigger rollback tax. Development plan, affected acreage and requested estimate.

Application workflow

1
Identify every parcel in the operation.

Copy Property IDs, abstracts, legal descriptions and acreage from Refugio CAD.

2
Separate the homesite.

A residence, yard, business site or other non-qualifying portion can receive different appraisal treatment.

3
Complete Form 50-129.

Report land use, acreage, operator information and agricultural history accurately.

4
Prepare supporting documents.

Use leases, receipts, farm-income records, livestock information, crop records and management evidence.

5
File before May 1.

Refugio CAD lists the regular agricultural application deadline as before May 1.

6
Submit the wildlife annual report when applicable.

Keep evidence of the management activities performed during the year.

7
Understand late filing.

A qualifying late application may be accepted before appraisal-roll approval, but a penalty based on tax savings can apply.

8
Ask about rollback tax before changing use.

Request an estimate before subdivision, commercial development, residential conversion or another non-agricultural use.

Current rollback rule: A qualifying 1-d-1 change of use generally recaptures the tax difference for the previous three years.
Final agricultural action: Download the agricultural and wildlife documents from the Refugio CAD Forms page.

Coastal, Flood and Hurricane Due Diligence

Properties near Bayside, Austwell, Tivoli and low-lying coastal or drainage areas require more than a CAD map and appraisal record.

Flood research Check FEMA maps, elevation information, prior flood history and current insurance requirements.
Wind and storm exposure Review roof, foundation, openings, prior damage, insurance claims and windstorm certification where relevant.
Wetlands and drainage Investigate wetlands, drainage easements, water flow and permitting before construction or fill work.
  • FEMA flood zone and map panel
  • Elevation certificate where available
  • Prior flood or hurricane damage
  • Windstorm or insurance documentation
  • Drainage and water-access easements
  • Septic, well and utility feasibility
  • Road access during severe weather
  • Coastal or environmental restrictions
CAD value is not an insurance decision. A market or appraised value does not establish flood-insurance cost, replacement cost or storm resilience.
Final flood-map action: Use the official FEMA Map Service Center.

How to Search Refugio County Mineral Accounts

Refugio CAD’s 2025 annual report lists 3,765 oil, gas and mineral parcels. Mineral, utility and industrial accounts are appraised for the district by Pritchard & Abbott.

1
Select Mineral Property.

Do not limit the search to real estate when researching royalties or mineral taxes.

2
Search by owner.

Try the individual, trust, estate, company and known prior owner names.

3
Use lease information.

Lease name and lease number may locate an account that has no useful street address.

4
Compare abstract and legal information.

Confirm survey, abstract, tract, operator and related legal details.

5
Review all owner accounts.

A single lease can create separate accounts for multiple royalty and working-interest owners.

6
Use County Clerk records for legal ownership.

Search mineral deeds, reservations, assignments, leases, releases, probate documents and related instruments.

Surface and mineral ownership are different questions. Purchasing the surface does not prove ownership of all minerals or royalties.

Business Personal Property Renditions

Refugio CAD states that Texas business owners must file Form 50-144 each year and that a 10% penalty can apply when the rendition is not filed by the deadline.

Business Property Task 2026 Timing Practical Action
Property-reporting date January 1, 2026 Report taxable property owned or managed on January 1.
Regular rendition deadline April 15, 2026 File Form 50-144 by the regular deadline.
Automatic extension Generally through May 15 after a timely written request Request the extension before April 15.
Additional extension May be available for good cause Follow Refugio CAD’s written instructions.
Late filing 10% tax penalty can apply Contact the district rather than ignoring the account.
  • Inventory
  • Machinery and equipment
  • Furniture and fixtures
  • Computers and office equipment
  • Commercial vehicles
  • Leased equipment
  • Industrial equipment
  • Business location and ownership
Final rendition action: Download Form 50-144 from the official Refugio CAD Forms page.

How to Protest a Refugio CAD Appraisal

2026 deadline status: The usual protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after Refugio CAD mails the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. For many accounts, the regular 2026 deadline has passed. Use the exact date printed on the notice.
Protest Issue Useful Evidence Weak Approach
Market value is excessive Comparable sales, appraisal, condition evidence and documented adjustments. Only stating that taxes are high.
Unequal appraisal Comparable appraised values adjusted for size, age, condition, use and location. Comparing unrelated property categories.
Incorrect improvements Measurements, photographs, permits, repair estimates and demolition records. Unsupported verbal claims.
Agricultural appraisal denied Use history, leases, livestock, crop, wildlife and management records. Assuming rural acreage automatically qualifies.
Exemption denied Ownership, occupancy, identification, disability, veteran or organizational records. Filing the wrong exemption form.
Mineral account dispute Division orders, royalty statements, production information and recorded instruments. Using surface ownership as proof of mineral ownership.
Coastal damage or condition Dated storm photographs, insurance reports, engineering records and repair estimates. General claims that the area floods or receives storms.

Step-by-step protest process

1
Read the Notice of Appraised Value.

Confirm the property, proposed value, exemption information and deadline.

2
Open the 2026 CAD record.

Review the legal description, land, improvements, classification, value history and taxing units.

3
Select every valid protest reason.

Possible reasons include value, unequal appraisal, ownership, exemption, agricultural use and property-description errors.

4
Request an online account PIN.

Create an account and use Refugio CAD’s official PIN-request service when filing online.

5
File online or submit Form 50-132.

Use the official district method and keep proof of filing.

6
Request the district’s evidence.

Ask for the appraisal information and evidence the district intends to present at the hearing.

7
Prepare an informal-review packet.

Lead with the requested value, factual errors and strongest supporting documents.

8
Resolve factual issues where possible.

A measurement, condition or classification problem may be corrected before the formal hearing.

9
Attend the ARB hearing.

Present clear valuation or qualification evidence rather than focusing only on the tax amount.

10
Review the written order.

Further options may include binding arbitration, SOAH or district court, depending on property type and eligibility.

Evidence timing: The ARB must provide advance hearing notice, and the property owner has the right to request the information the appraisal district plans to use.

Late Protest and Correction Options

Possible Remedy When It May Apply Important Limitation
Good-cause late protest The owner missed the normal deadline for a qualifying reason. Must generally be filed before the ARB approves the appraisal records.
Failure-to-receive-notice protest A legally required notice was not delivered. Taxes must not become delinquent.
One-fourth homestead correction Residence homestead is appraised at least one-fourth above the correct value. Payment and prior-protest restrictions apply.
One-third non-homestead correction Other property is appraised at least one-third above the correct value. Payment and prior-protest restrictions apply.
Clerical or ownership correction The roll contains a clerical, multiple-appraisal, inclusion or ownership error. Use the correct motion and supporting records.
Contact Refugio CAD immediately. Late remedies depend on the appraisal-roll status, payment history, notice history and whether the account was already protested.

How to Search and Pay Refugio County Property Taxes

The Refugio County Tax Office provides the official tax-balance search and online payment system. Users can search accounts collected by the county office and then pay by credit card or electronic check where available.

1
Find the CAD account.

Copy the Property ID, owner name, legal description and tax year.

2
Open the official Tax Office search.

Confirm that the page identifies the Refugio County Tax Office.

3
Search the tax account.

Use the account, owner or property information requested by the portal.

4
Check every tax year.

A current-year payment does not automatically clear an older delinquent balance.

5
Review all taxing-unit balances.

Confirm that the portal includes each entity collected by the county tax office.

6
Review the electronic-payment fee.

The payment processor’s convenience fee is separate from the property-tax balance.

7
Verify the account before paying.

Confirm the owner, property, year, total amount and payment method.

8
Save the confirmation.

Keep the account, payment date, amount, method and confirmation number.

9
Confirm payment posting.

Contact the Tax Assessor-Collector before submitting a duplicate payment.

No-statement warning: Failure to receive a tax statement generally does not cancel the tax, delinquency date, penalty, interest or lien.
Final tax-payment action: Open the official Refugio County Tax Balance and Payment Search.

Payment Installments and Homestead Deferrals

Four-installment option Certain owners age 65 or older, disabled owners, disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses may pay eligible homestead taxes in four installments.
Age or disability deferral A qualifying owner may defer collection of certain homestead taxes, but the balance remains a lien and interest continues.
Disaster installments Special installment rights may apply to qualifying property in a declared disaster area.
Deferral is not forgiveness. Deferred taxes can become due after the owner sells the home, dies or stops qualifying.

How to Search Refugio County Deeds, Liens and Mineral Documents

The County Clerk’s Official Records Search provides index and full-text search options for recorded documents. Use it to verify legal ownership and related instruments after locating the parcel through Refugio CAD.

1
Collect the CAD information.

Save the owner, legal description, Property ID and approximate transfer date.

2
Open the Official Records Search.

Use the link provided by the Refugio County Clerk rather than an unofficial record directory.

3
Search grantor and grantee names.

Try the current owner, prior owner, trust, estate, company and spelling variations.

4
Search index or full text.

Index search uses recorded fields. Full-text search can locate words inside scanned and OCR-processed documents.

5
Filter the document type.

Look for deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, easements, plats, mineral deeds, leases and assignments.

6
Compare the legal description.

Names alone are not enough when owners hold multiple ranch, coastal or mineral interests.

7
Review referenced instruments.

A deed may refer to prior reservations, easements, plats or restrictions that also require review.

8
Request a certified copy when required.

An online image may not satisfy lender, court, probate or title requirements.

Title warning: A CAD owner name or one deed image is not a complete title examination.
Final deed-search action: Open the official Refugio County Clerk Records Search.

Refugio County Real-Property Fraud Alert

The County Clerk provides property-alert information that can help owners monitor names connected to newly recorded real-property documents.

  • Register personal legal names
  • Add common name variations
  • Add trust names
  • Add company names
  • Review every alert promptly
  • Contact the Clerk or an attorney about an unfamiliar filing
An alert does not prevent recording. It helps the owner discover a document after it is entered into the public record.
Final fraud-alert action: Review the property-alert information on the official Refugio County Clerk page.

Refugio County Property Buyer Checklist

CAD appraisal record
  • Correct Property ID and Geo ID
  • Owner and property type
  • Legal description and acreage
  • Market and appraised values
  • Exemptions and agricultural value
  • Real, mineral and personal accounts
Tax review
  • Every taxing entity
  • Current and prior tax years
  • Penalty and interest
  • Payment-plan or deferral status
  • Tax certificate
  • Tax lawsuit or sale status
Recorded documents
  • Current deed
  • Deeds of trust and releases
  • Judgment and tax liens
  • Easements and restrictions
  • Mineral reservations and leases
  • Probate and trust documents
Physical and coastal review
  • Professional survey
  • Legal and physical access
  • Flood and elevation information
  • Windstorm and insurance history
  • Water, sewer, well or septic
  • Wetlands, drainage and permits
Buyer tax warning: The seller’s homestead exemption, tax ceiling, agricultural appraisal, wildlife status, payment plan or deferral does not automatically transfer to the purchaser.

Local Refugio County Property Scenarios

Property Situation Important Checks Why It Matters
Town of Refugio home Town limits, Refugio ISD, improvements, homestead and storm condition. The city, school and special-district combination affects taxable value and tax rate.
Woodsboro property Town boundary, Woodsboro ISD, adjoining lots and improvement records. A home and vacant lot may have separate accounts.
Bayside coastal property Flood zone, elevation, drainage, wind exposure, access and insurance. Nearby properties can have substantially different hazard and insurance conditions.
Austwell or Tivoli acreage Agricultural use, school district, road access, water, wetlands and coastal influence. A mailing address does not prove agricultural qualification or buildability.
Ranch property Five-of-seven history, stocking, fencing, water, lease and rollback exposure. Rural ownership alone does not qualify land for open-space appraisal.
Wildlife-management land Prior agricultural qualification, wildlife plan, annual report and activity records. Wildlife use is a special form of open-space appraisal, not a separate automatic exemption.
Mineral account Lease, operator, owner interest, production and recorded assignments. Surface and mineral interests can be separately owned and taxed.
Mobile home Home account, land ownership, serial information, title and homestead eligibility. The home and underlying land may have different owners.

How to Correct a Refugio CAD Property Record

Problem Correct Starting Point Evidence to Prepare
Wrong mailing address Refugio CAD and Tax Office Property ID, owner and signed address information.
Recent deed not reflected County Clerk, then Refugio CAD Recorded instrument number and deed copy.
Wrong legal description or acreage County Clerk, surveyor and Refugio CAD Deed, plat, survey and CAD map.
Incorrect building details Refugio CAD Measurements, photographs, permits and demolition documents.
Homestead is missing Refugio CAD Form 50-114, identification and occupancy evidence.
Agricultural value is missing Refugio CAD Form 50-129, use history and agricultural records.
Mineral ownership is incorrect County Clerk and mineral appraiser Mineral deed, assignment, lease, division order and royalty statement.
Payment is not posted Tax Assessor-Collector Receipt, confirmation, account, year and payment date.
Appraised value is disputed Refugio CAD and ARB Notice of Protest and valuation evidence.

Refugio County Property Office Contacts

Office Current Contact Information Use This Office For
Refugio Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser: Phillip E. Gonzales
Deputy/Clerk: Brenda Skrobarcek
Appraiser: Lisa Carvajal
420 N. Alamo Street
P.O. Box 156
Refugio, TX 78377
Phone: 361-526-5994
Fax: 361-526-4144
Email: refugiocad@refugiocad.org
Property search, appraisal, exemptions, agriculture, mapping, corrections and protests.
Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector Tax Assessor-Collector: Liz L. Kelley
808 Commerce Street, Room 109
Refugio, TX 78377
Phone: 361-526-2023
Fax: 361-526-2279
Property-tax balances, payments, receipts, tax certificates and collection questions.
Refugio County Clerk County Clerk: Margie A. Castellano
Refugio County Courthouse
808 Commerce Street
P.O. Box 704
Refugio, TX 78377
Phone: 361-526-2233
Alternate: 361-526-2727
Fax: 361-526-1325
Deeds, liens, easements, mineral documents, plats, certified copies and fraud alerts.

Refugio CAD Office Map

The map below points to the current Refugio Central Appraisal District office at 420 N. Alamo Street.

Top 12 Refugio County CAD Property Search FAQs

1. What is the official Refugio County CAD website?

The official website is refugiocad.org. It is branded as Refugio Central Appraisal District.

2. What is the current Refugio CAD address?

The current physical office is at 420 N. Alamo Street, Refugio, Texas 78377.

3. What is the correct Refugio CAD phone number?

The official appraisal-district phone number is 361-526-5994.

4. How can I search a Refugio County property?

Search by owner, Property ID, Geo ID, address, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease name or lease number.

5. Can I search mineral and business accounts?

Yes. The current portal includes real estate, mineral property and personal-property searches.

6. Does Refugio CAD collect property taxes?

No. Refugio CAD appraises property and administers exemptions. Property-tax payments are handled by the Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector.

7. What is the 2026 school homestead exemption?

The mandatory school-district residence homestead exemption is $140,000.

8. What is the 2026 age-65 or disabled school exemption?

A qualifying age-65 or disabled homeowner receives an additional mandatory $60,000 school exemption.

9. What was the normal 2026 protest deadline?

The usual deadline is May 15 or 30 days after Refugio CAD mails the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later.

10. Can I file a Refugio CAD protest online?

Yes. Create an online account and request the unique PIN connected to the property before using the online protest service.

11. What is the agricultural appraisal deadline?

Refugio CAD lists Form 50-129 and the 2026 wildlife annual report as due before May 1.

12. Are Refugio CAD map lines legally exact?

No. CAD maps and acreage are appraisal and research tools and do not replace a deed, recorded plat, title examination or professional survey.

Independent Editorial Notice

County-CAD.us is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Refugio Central Appraisal District, the Refugio County Appraisal Review Board, Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector, Refugio County Clerk, Pritchard & Abbott, any local taxing unit or the State of Texas.

Property values, exemptions, agricultural requirements, protest deadlines, tax rates, tax balances, payment fees, officeholders, forms, office hours and procedures can change. Confirm time-sensitive information with the responsible official office before filing, paying or making a property decision.

Editorial verification: July 15, 2026. This article was rebuilt using the official Refugio CAD property search, contact page, interactive map, forms, 2025 annual report, 2025–2026 reappraisal records, Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector, County Clerk public-record system and current Texas Comptroller guidance.

Free County CAD Property Tax Assistant

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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Use Tax, Exemption and Protest tabs to understand your appraisal notice and possible savings.

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Homestead and Exemption Savings

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Property Tax Protest Savings

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Enter county and state to create safe search links. This avoids guessing official URLs and helps users find the correct county appraisal district, property search, tax payment and exemption pages.

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It gives visitors an interactive reason to stay on the page, calculate their own numbers and move from general reading to practical action.

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Estimate disclaimer

Values are educational estimates. Visitors should confirm final values, exemptions, tax rates, payment status and deadlines with official county resources.