A Hill Country Project

Your land could pay far less in property tax.

Texas law lets working land be taxed on what it produces — not what a developer would pay for it. Most landowners qualify and don't know it. Tell us your address and we'll send you a free estimate of what you'd save.

Hays CountyStarting here, expanding soon
Free estimateNo obligation, no signup
Local-builtMade by a Blanco County native

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Replies typically within 1–2 business days.

By submitting, you agree to receive your estimate by email. We don't sell your information. Estimates are not tax or legal advice.

01.

How this works

i.

Tell us your address

One short form. Your address or parcel ID, and your email. That's it.

ii.

We run the numbers

We pull your property from public Hays CAD records, apply the actual tax rates for your jurisdiction, and estimate what you'd save with an ag valuation.

iii.

You decide what's next

Your estimate arrives by email with a recommended strategy. If you want, we'll connect you with a vetted local beekeeper or ag lessee who handles the work for you.

From the founder

"Most folks I grew up around had no idea this was on the table."

— Wes Adamson
02.

Why I built this

I'm Wes Adamson — born and raised in Blanco County. I started Bees Pay Taxes because I'm tired of watching Hill Country families get priced off the land their grandparents bought.

The Texas ag valuation exists for exactly this reason — to keep working land working, instead of forcing families to sell to developers just to cover the tax bill. The savings are real. The mechanism is legal. Most landowners just don't know how to use it.

That's what this is. A clear estimate. A simple next step. From someone who grew up out here.

03.

What's at stake

75–95%
Typical reduction in property tax when land qualifies for ag valuation under Texas law.
5 acres
Minimum acreage for most ag-valuation strategies in Texas. Beekeeping is the easiest path for smaller parcels.
5 of 7 yrs
Required history of agricultural use before applying. The sooner you start, the sooner the clock runs.
04.

Common questions

Is this an exemption like homestead?

No — it's a different mechanism called 1-d-1 open-space appraisal. Your land gets valued on what it produces agriculturally, not what it would sell for. The savings are usually much larger than homestead.

Do I have to actually run cattle or grow crops?

Some kind of qualifying agricultural use, yes — but it doesn't have to be cattle. Beekeeping qualifies on as little as 5 acres. Hay leases, grazing leases, wildlife management plans, and orchards all work depending on your acreage and land type.

I bought my land recently. Am I out of luck?

Not necessarily — you may inherit prior ag history from the previous owner. And if not, the clock starts now. The sooner you begin, the sooner you qualify.

What's the catch?

If your land loses ag status later (e.g., you subdivide or develop), Texas claws back up to 3 years of tax savings — called the rollback tax. For working landowners staying on their land, this isn't an issue.

Are you affiliated with the appraisal district?

No. Bees Pay Taxes is an independent service. Hays CAD is the official authority for any actual application or valuation decision.

What does this cost me?

Estimates are free. If you choose to be connected with a local beekeeper or ag lessee, you'd pay them directly for their service or share the land's productivity. We'll explain all of it in your estimate.

Hill Country land stays Hill Country.
Cul-de-sacs don't.

See what your land could save. It takes 60 seconds.

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