Ag valuation can sharply cut property taxes on rural land in Bandera County

Ag valuation is not really an exemption. It is a special value for land that is used in a real farm, ranch, timber, or wildlife operation. The tax bill is based on what the land can produce, not on its full market value.

Bandera CAD says soil type matters here. Many tracts need about 20 acres, but the exact test depends on the land and the use. The local standards also look at animal units, stocking rates, and whether the work is typical for the area.

Wildlife valuation can fit some Hill Country tracts. The land must already have ag valuation, and the owner must file a wildlife management plan. Texas counts wildlife work as ag use only when it follows the state rules.

Apply between January 1 and April 30 for the year you want the value. If the land later changes to a non-ag use, rollback tax can claw back prior savings. Before buying, ask Bandera CAD how the current valuation is being kept alive.