Texas property tax protest

How to protest property taxes in Texas, step by step

The appraisal district must mail a notice of appraised value by April 1 for a residence homestead (May 1 for other property) when the value goes up, and the notice explains how to protest and how to ask for an informal conference.^[1] From there:

1. File a notice of protest with the ARB before the deadline: Form 50-132, the district's online protest, or any written notice that identifies the property, the owner and what you disagree with.^[3][1]
2. Ask for an informal conference with the appraisal district. You can try to resolve the protest there, before the hearing.^[1]
3. Prepare for the ARB hearing. The ARB sends the date at least 15 days ahead, and the district must send its hearing procedures and tell you that you can request the evidence it will use at least 14 days ahead. You can appear in person, by phone or video, or by written affidavit.^[1]
4. Present your evidence and your opinion of value. You may choose to go first or after the district.^[1]
5. Read the written order, which arrives by email or certified mail. If the ARB lowers the value, the taxing units are told, and any tax you already paid on the difference is refunded.^[1]

Texas property tax protest deadline

In most cases the deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district's notice, whichever is later. The statute speaks of the notice being delivered, while the Comptroller counts the 30 days from the date the district mails it, so use the earlier reading to be safe.^[2][1] A May 15 that falls on a weekend moves to the next business day; Dallas and Collin state this on their own calendars.^[5][9] The calculator above applies both rules.

Missed it? The ARB can hear a late protest if you show good cause, but not after it approves the appraisal records. A homestead appraised at least one-fourth above its correct value can still be fixed with a motion for correction before the delinquency date, if you pay the undisputed tax.^[1]

Evidence for a property tax protest

The Comptroller's advice is blunt: you cannot just say the appraisal district is wrong; you must bring what proves your case.^[1] Useful evidence on its list:

• Sales price documentation for similar homes: listings, closing statements.
• Photographs of your property and the comparables.
• Receipts or estimates for repairs.
• Calculations of the median level of appraisal, if you argue unequal appraisal.
• Surveys, deed records, engineering reports or blueprints where they matter.

Turn your sales into one number with the free property tax assessment appeal calculator: it adjusts each sale, takes the median price per square foot and shows the tax difference at your county's adopted rates. Remember the ARB decides value, not your tax rate: taxing units set rates, and the ARB does not consider your personal finances.^[1] For homesteads, the 10% cap may already hold your taxable value below market; see the homestead exemption Texas guide and the Texas property tax calculator.

Harris County and Travis County property tax protest, and the other Texas counties

Every appraisal district takes Form 50-132; most also run their own online protest. What each district on this site publishes:

A Harris County property tax protest can start online in iFile, and a Travis County property tax protest in the TCAD portal, where you also see the district's own evidence before the informal meeting.^[4][6]

If you lose at the ARB

The ARB's order binds only that tax year. After it, three routes are open, each with its own clock:^[1]

Taxes are still due on time while you protest: Texas bills are delinquent after January 31^[11]; see property tax due dates.