Kaufman County Property Tax: Lookup, Pay & Rates Guide
Use this practical Kaufman County property tax guide to search a property record, pay a tax bill, understand county and school tax rates, estimate your bill, check exemptions, avoid penalties, and contact the right office. The key is simple: Kaufman CAD handles value and appraisal issues; the Kaufman County Tax Office handles bills, collections, payment receipts and delinquent tax questions.
What you probably need to do right now
Pick the task below. This avoids the common mistake of calling the Tax Office for value problems or calling Kaufman CAD for payment posting.
Fast action board
- 1Need your tax bill or balance? Use the Kaufman County Tax Office search. Search by owner name, property address, account number, owner ID or CAD reference number.
- 2Need appraisal value, ownership, legal description or property details? Use Kaufman CAD property search. Search by owner, address, ID, advanced search, ARB search or property type.
- 3Need to pay by phone? Call 1-866-549-1010 and use Bureau Code 5499044 for taxes only. Keep the confirmation number.
- 4Bill looks too high? Check exemptions and protest value with Kaufman CAD. The Tax Office collects the tax but KCAD determines taxable value.
- 5Mortgage company pays escrow? If you receive the tax statement, Kaufman County says to write your loan number on the notice and send it immediately to your mortgage company.
Official links
KCAD appraises
Value, ownership records, exemptions and protests start with Kaufman CAD.
Rates are adopted
County, school, city, ESD, MUD, PID and other units adopt rates.
Tax Office bills
Kaufman County calculates, bills and collects the property tax.
You pay or protest
Pay taxes by Jan. 31 or protest appraisal value by the applicable deadline.
How to look up Kaufman County property tax records
Use the Tax Office portal when your goal is bill balance or payment. Use Kaufman CAD when your goal is value, appraisal details, ownership, legal description, exemptions or protest.
| Lookup Need | Official Tool | Search Fields That Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Tax bill / payment balance | Kaufman County Tax Office portal | Owner name, property address, account number, owner ID, CAD reference number. |
| Appraisal value / property details | Kaufman CAD property search | Owner, address, ID, advanced, ARB search, property type, tax year. |
| Map location | Kaufman CAD interactive map | Parcel, property address, geographic reference. |
| Exemptions or applications | Kaufman CAD online forms / taxpayer portal | Property account, owner information, exemption type, documents. |
| Tax-rate breakdown | Truth in Taxation / tax-rate documents | Taxing unit, city, ISD, ESD, MUD, PID, county rate. |
1
Search tax bills through the Tax Office portal
Best for balance, payment and receipt tasks.
▾
Open the official Kaufman County Tax Office portal. Search by owner name, property address, account number, owner ID or CAD reference number. The portal notes owner names are often recorded last name first.
2
Search CAD records for value and property data
Best for appraisal, ownership and protest tasks.
▾
Open Kaufman CAD Property Search. Use owner, address, property ID, advanced search, ARB search or tax year. CAD tips say address searches work better when you use simple street names and avoid terms like street, lane or boulevard.
3
Match the account before paying
Tax Office account and CAD reference can be different.
▾
The Tax Office portal notes the CAD reference number may be different from the Tax Office property account number. Before paying, match owner, situs address, legal description, tax year, account number, CAD reference and total due.
How to pay Kaufman County property tax online or by phone
Kaufman County links online tax payment through the Tax Office portal. The county also lists a phone payment option with Bureau Code 5499044 for taxes only.
Online payment
Use the official Tax Office portal. Search the account, verify the property, then pay by credit card or eCheck when online payments are available.
Phone payment
Call 1-866-549-1010. At the prompt, enter Bureau Code 5499044. Save the confirmation number.
Mail / in person
Use the address and office details from the Tax Assessor page. Mailed payments near Jan. 31 should be postmarked by the postal service no later than Jan. 31.
1
Open official payment page from county site
Avoid generic payment ads and duplicate portals.
▾
Start from the Kaufman County Online Payments page or the Tax Assessor page, then open the official property-tax payment link.
2
Verify bill details before submitting
Confirm tax year, property and balance.
▾
Check owner, address, account number, CAD reference, tax year, current balance, penalty, interest, attorney fees if any, and whether your mortgage company already pays from escrow.
3
Review card fee and eCheck option
Kaufman County lists a credit-card fee.
▾
Kaufman County lists a 2.29% fee for credit-card use, with a $1.00 minimum. The Tax Office portal also shows credit-card and eCheck payment options when online payment is active.
4
Save payment proof
Useful for escrow, title, refinancing and delinquent notices.
▾
Save the receipt, confirmation number, account number, payment amount, date, payment method and tax year. Texas Comptroller guidance says receipts are useful for proving payment and confirming mortgage-company payment.
Kaufman County property tax deadline calendar
Property tax deadlines are strict. Failure to receive a tax notice does not cancel the tax, penalty, interest, due date or tax lien.
| Date / Period | What Happens | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Early October | Kaufman County says tax notices are usually mailed. | Watch mail and check the online Tax Office portal if you do not receive a statement. |
| Upon receipt | Taxes are due when the statement is received. | Compare mortgage escrow status, exemptions and account data. |
| January 31 | Normal deadline to pay without delinquency. | Mail should be postmarked by Jan. 31; online/phone payers should keep confirmation. |
| February 1 | Penalty and interest begin. | Pay quickly or contact the Tax Office if payment failed or account is wrong. |
| July 1 | Kaufman County says 15% to 20% attorney fees are added. | Do not wait until summer to resolve delinquent taxes. |
Kaufman County property tax rates and how to calculate your bill
Your bill is not only the county rate. Most properties have a stack of tax units: county, road and bridge, school district, city, college district, ESD, MUD, PID or other special district.
Simple Kaufman County tax estimate
Estimated tax = taxable value ÷ 100 × total applicable rate. Use your live bill for final amount because penalties, interest, PID/MUD charges and exemptions can change the result.
| 2024 Rate Example From County Sheet | Total Rate | Use This For |
|---|---|---|
| Kaufman County | 0.3326130 | County portion only. |
| Road & Bridge | 0.0825000 | Road and bridge portion. |
| KC + Road & Bridge combined | 0.4151130 | Countywide base example, before ISD/city/special units. |
| TVCC | 0.1136600 | Trinity Valley Community College district, if applicable. |
| Forney ISD | 1.2869000 | School rate example for properties in Forney ISD. |
| Kaufman ISD | 1.2552000 | School rate example for properties in Kaufman ISD. |
| City of Kaufman | 0.7595000 | City rate example for properties inside City of Kaufman. |
| City of Forney | 0.4052400 | City rate example for properties inside City of Forney. |
Kaufman County homestead, senior, disability and veteran exemption checks
Exemptions can reduce taxable value. Kaufman CAD states there is no charge or fee associated with receiving or filing an exemption application with the district.
General homestead
Texas school districts must provide a $140,000 residence homestead exemption. The home must be the owner’s principal residence.
10% homestead cap
KCAD highlights the 10% homestead cap rule. A KCAD notice says homes purchased after Jan. 1, 2026 will not receive a homestead cap until 2028.
Age 65 or disabled
Texas school districts provide an additional $60,000 residence homestead exemption for eligible age-65-or-older or disabled persons.
Disabled veteran
Texas disabled veteran exemptions may reduce part or all of a property’s value depending on VA disability rating and eligibility.
Heir property
Heir property owners may need affidavits, death certificate, utility bill and ownership records depending on the situation.
Solar / wind device
Texas has an exemption path for qualified solar or wind-powered energy devices using the state form.
1
Open Kaufman CAD online forms or taxpayer portal
Use official forms, not paid middleman applications.
▾
Use Kaufman CAD Taxpayer Portal or KCAD Online Forms. Keep owner ID, property ID, address, deed/closing documents, driver license and supporting proof ready.
2
Confirm exemption appears on CAD and tax bill
Approved exemptions should show in taxable value.
▾
After filing, check the CAD record and later the tax bill. If the exemption does not appear, contact Kaufman CAD before the bill becomes a larger payment problem.
How to protest a Kaufman CAD appraisal value
A payment problem is different from a value problem. If the market value, land value, improvement value, exemption, property type or ownership is wrong, start with Kaufman CAD.
| Problem | Best Office / Tool | Evidence To Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Market value too high | Kaufman CAD protest / ARB | Comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, condition issues, appraisal. |
| Wrong property details | KCAD property records | Square footage, land size, building facts, deed, survey, permits. |
| Exemption missing | KCAD forms / taxpayer portal | ID, residence proof, disability/veteran documents, ownership records. |
| Tax bill payment not posted | Kaufman County Tax Office | Receipt, confirmation number, account number, payment method. |
| Mortgage escrow issue | Mortgage company first, then Tax Office | Tax statement, loan number, escrow statement, receipt if paid. |
1
Check the CAD record before filing
Find the actual mistake first.
▾
Open the Kaufman CAD search and compare property type, year built, improvement value, land value, exemptions and prior-year changes.
2
Use online protest or taxpayer portal
File before the Texas deadline.
▾
Use KCAD’s online protest link or taxpayer portal when available. Texas Comptroller guidance says the usual protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails the notice, whichever is later.
3
Prepare evidence for informal or ARB hearing
A simple complaint is weaker than documented proof.
▾
Prepare sales comps, photos, estimates, foundation/roof/repair records, incorrect square-footage proof and any exemption documents. Ask for informal review before the formal ARB hearing if available.
Kaufman-specific official facts users should not have to dig for
These are the details most homeowners need before leaving this page for a live payment, lookup or application task.
Tax Office duty
The Tax Assessor-Collector calculates and collects taxes based on the Constitution and Texas Property Tax Code. KCAD determines taxable real-property value.
Phone payment
Call 1-866-549-1010 and use Bureau Code 5499044 for taxes only. Keep the confirmation number after authorization.
Returned checks
Kaufman County says it partners with Envision Payment Solutions for returned checks; returned checks may trigger a service fee under state law.
Credit-card fee
The Tax Assessor page lists a 2.29% credit-card fee with a $1.00 minimum.
Tax notices
Notices usually mail in early October; taxes are due when received and must be paid by Jan. 31.
Failure to receive notice
Texas and Kaufman guidance both warn that not receiving a tax notice does not cancel the tax, penalties, interest, due date or lien.
Kaufman County tax and appraisal office contacts
Use the Tax Office for payment and billing. Use Kaufman CAD for appraisal value, exemptions, property search and protest issues.
| Office | Address / Phone | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Office — Kaufman | 100 N Washington St, Kaufman, TX 75142 469-376-4596 Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Main property tax billing, payments, receipts, vehicle/tax office services. |
| Tax Office — Forney | 200 E Main St, Forney, TX 75126 469-376-4600 Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Sub-courthouse tax office services for Forney area. |
| Tax Office — Terrell | 408 E College St, Terrell, TX 75160 469-376-4728 Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Sub-courthouse tax office services for Terrell area. |
| Tax Office — Kemp | 103 N Main St, Kemp, TX 75143 469-376-4626 Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; closed noon–12:30 PM for lunch | Sub-courthouse tax office services for Kemp area. |
| Kaufman CAD | 3950 S Houston St, Kaufman, TX 75142-3718 972-932-6081 Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Value, exemptions, property search, online protest, taxpayer portal, appraisal questions. |
Map: Kaufman County Tax Office — Kaufman Annex
Use this for the main Tax Office address. For appraisal issues, use the Kaufman CAD address instead.
Official Kaufman County property tax resources
Use these links for final live actions. The guide above explains what to check before using each portal.
Kaufman County property tax FAQs
Short answers for the questions homeowners usually search before paying, protesting or contacting the county.
QHow do I look up Kaufman County property taxes?▾
Use the Kaufman County Tax Office portal for tax bill and payment balance. Use Kaufman CAD search for appraisal value, ownership, exemptions and property details.
QWhat can I search by in the Tax Office portal?▾
The official portal supports owner name, property address, account number, owner ID and CAD reference number. Owner names are usually entered last name first.
QWhat is the phone payment number and bureau code?▾
Call 1-866-549-1010 and use Bureau Code 5499044 for taxes only. Keep the confirmation number.
QWhen are Kaufman County property taxes due?▾
Tax notices usually mail in early October. Taxes are due upon receipt and must be paid by Jan. 31. Mail should be postmarked by Jan. 31.
QWhat happens after Feb. 1?▾
Kaufman County says penalty and interest begin at 7% on Feb. 1 and increase monthly. Attorney fees of 15% to 20% are added July 1.
QWho determines my property value?▾
Kaufman Central Appraisal District determines taxable value. The Kaufman County Tax Assessor-Collector calculates and collects property taxes.
QHow do I calculate my property tax?▾
Take taxable value after exemptions, divide by 100, then multiply by the total tax rate for every taxing unit on that property.
QHow do I file a protest?▾
Use Kaufman CAD online protest or taxpayer portal if available. The usual Texas deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails the notice, whichever is later.
QIs filing a homestead exemption free?▾
Kaufman CAD states there is no charge or fee associated with receiving or filing an exemption application with the district.
QIs this the official Kaufman County tax website?▾
No. PropertyTaxUSA.org is an independent guide. Verify balances, payments, rates, exemptions and protests through Kaufman County, Kaufman CAD and Texas Comptroller official resources.
Bottom line
For Kaufman County property tax, think: KCAD for value, Tax Office for payment. Use Kaufman CAD to verify appraisal, exemptions, property records and protests. Use the Kaufman County Tax Office portal or phone Bureau Code 5499044 to pay and confirm balances. Always check the live account before Jan. 31, and do not wait until July when attorney fees can be added.
Independent guide notice: This page is informational only and is not Kaufman County, Kaufman Central Appraisal District, the Texas Comptroller or a payment processor.