Gillespie County Property Taxes Are Rising – Is It Fair & Can You Fight It?
Published by Texas Tax Appeal | March 2025
This Texas Hill Country city is raising its property tax rate by nearly 25%
Property Owners in Gillespie County Face Major Tax Increases in 2025
If you own property in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, or the surrounding Hill Country, your property tax bill may be going up significantly this year. A recent report from the San Antonio Express-News highlights how second homes, vacation rentals, and investment properties are being hit hardest by tax hikes.
As more people purchase short-term rentals (STRs) and vacation homes in the area, local appraisal districts are reassessing property values at higher-than-expected rates. But is this fair? And if you’re a property owner, what can you do to fight back?
Why Are Property Taxes Rising in Gillespie County?
According to the San Antonio Express-News, property tax increases in Gillespie County are being disproportionately applied to second homes and vacation rentals. This trend is happening for several reasons:
✅ High Demand for Hill Country Real Estate – Fredericksburg and the surrounding areas have become a hotspot for vacation homes and short-term rentals. Increased demand has driven up property values, leading to higher tax assessments.
✅ Tax Shifts to Second Homes & Rentals – Local officials appear to be shifting the tax burden away from full-time residents and onto investment property owners. This means if you own a vacation home, Airbnb, or VRBO rental, you may see higher tax rates than primary residences.
✅ Aggressive Appraisal Tactics – The Gillespie County Appraisal District (GCAD) is reassessing properties at inflated market values, often failing to account for seasonal income fluctuations, maintenance costs, and real market trends.
For many second-home owners and real estate investors, these hikes seem inequitable—especially since they don’t utilize local services at the same rate as full-time residents.
Is This Property Tax Hike Fair?
The property tax increases in Gillespie County raise a key question of fairness:
Should second-home owners and vacation rentals bear a larger tax burden than primary residents?
Are the new tax assessments truly reflective of property values, or are they being artificially inflated?
Is GCAD treating investment properties differently than full-time residences in a way that violates Texas property tax laws?
If you believe your property taxes have been unfairly raised, you have the right to protest and fight for a fair assessment.
How to Protest Your Property Tax Assessment in Gillespie County
If you own a vacation home, rental property, or second home in Gillespie County, here’s how to fight back against unfair property tax hikes:
Step 1: Review Your Property Tax Assessment
Visit the Gillespie County Appraisal District (GCAD) website at gillespiecad.org and check your property’s new valuation.
Step 2: Gather Evidence to Support Your Appeal
To successfully lower your tax bill, collect:
Comparable sales data – Show similar properties that have lower valuations.
Rental income & seasonal fluctuations – Demonstrate that vacation rentals have off-season months that impact value.
Expense reports – Document maintenance costs that reduce the property’s net value.
Photos of property condition – Show any issues that could justify a lower valuation.
Step 3: File a Property Tax Protest
You can file your protest:
📌 Online at gillespiecad.org
📌 By mail using a protest form from GCAD
📌 In person at the GCAD office
🛑 Deadline to file: Typically May 15 each year. Don’t miss it!
Step 4: Attend Your Hearing & Make Your Case
You will be scheduled for a hearing with GCAD or the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Present your evidence and argue why your property’s tax valuation should be lowered.
Consider Working with a Property Tax Consultant
Protesting your property taxes can be complex, especially if you own multiple properties, vacation homes, or investment rentals. That’s where working with a property tax consultant can save you time and money.
At Texas Tax Appeal, we:
✅ Analyze your tax assessment to identify overvaluation.
✅ Handle the entire protest process for you.
✅ Negotiate with GCAD on your behalf.
✅ Only charge if we successfully lower your taxes!
Take Action Now – Don’t Overpay on Property Taxes in Gillespie County!
With Fredericksburg and Gillespie County property tax bills skyrocketing, now is the time to challenge your assessment. Don’t let unfair property tax hikes eat into your investment returns or make your second home unaffordable.
Contact Texas Tax Appeal today.
🌐 Visit us online at texastaxappeal.com
🔗 Read the full article from San Antonio Express-News here: Gillespie County Property Tax Increases