How to Protest Your Texas Property Taxes (2026)
Texas property tax protest season is upon is and every year presents an opportunity to challenge what the appraisal district says your Texas property is worth. Many who attempt to protest their property taxes on their own experience frustration, as the process can be complex. With a better understanding of how it works, you’ll feel more confident navigating it.
To protest your property taxes means to challenge your county appraisal district’s opinion of your property’s value. The higher that value, the higher your property tax bill.
Key Dates
April 1st – April 15
This is approximately when you’ll receive your appraisal notice, the value your appraisal district intends to tax you on. This value is not final. If left unchallenged, it becomes the basis for your property tax bill.
May 15
This is the Texas property tax protest deadline. Texas Tax Code states the deadline is no later than May 15th or the 30th day after your appraisal notice was delivered (Texas Tax Code 41.44). Filing is as simple as a letter to your local Appraisal Review Board stating that you wish to appeal your notified value because you believe it is too high or unequally calculated relative to comparable properties.
April through July
Your informal and formal hearings will typically be scheduled within this window. These hearings are where you actually contest your property’s assessed value.
January 1
This is the date your property’s assessed value is based on. Everything at your hearing revolves around one question: what was this property worth on January 1st?
12 to 24 months
You are permitted to use comparable sales going back 24 months from January 1st (Texas Tax Code 23.013), though in practice county appraisal districts give the most weight to sales within the past 12 months. Districts will also consider sales up to three months after January 1st of the current year when identifying comps.
October 15 / January 31
Your Texas property tax bill arrives around October 15th and is due January 31st of the following year. These dates do not affect your protest but are useful context for understanding the full timeline.
The Hearing Process
Once you file your Texas property tax protest, the district will send a hearing notice confirming your scheduled dates. There are three stages to be aware of:
Informal Hearing
This is a one-on-one meeting with an appraisal district appraiser. Many Texas property tax protests are resolved here without proceeding further.
Formal Hearing
If the informal hearing does not produce a satisfactory result, the formal hearing follows. This takes place before an Appraisal Review Board (ARB), typically consisting of three members, plus one district appraiser who presents the district’s position. Both parties present evidence, offer rebuttals, and the ARB members deliberate and issue a final assessed value. Per Texas Tax Code 41.66(b), the taxpayer is always entitled to the final word during the presentation and rebuttal period.
Arbitration and Litigation
If you are unsatisfied with the ARB’s decision, arbitration or litigation are available options. These avenues involve significant cost and typically require a property tax attorney or licensed property tax consultant.
Valuing Your Property
When you sit down at your hearing, you need a specific opinion of value and evidence to support it. The most practical approach for residential property tax protests is to calculate value using price per square foot (PSF) based on comparable sales.
When selecting comps, keep the following in mind:
Neighborhood – Use sales within your assigned neighborhood code. Similar subdivisions within roughly two miles of your property are appropriate. The county assigns every property a neighborhood code, so verify that your comps share the same designation.
Year Built – Select comps built within seven years of your property. The greater the age difference, the more the district will adjust the comparison, making the outcome less predictable.
Size – Comps within 15% of your property’s square footage are ideal. Significant size differences reduce the reliability of the comparison.
Condition – Select comps that are reasonably similar in condition and finish level to your property. If your home is dated relative to the comps, document it. Photos of outdated finishes, deferred maintenance, or functional issues can meaningfully support a lower property tax assessment.
Once you have your comps, calculate the average PSF and apply it to your property’s square footage. This becomes your proposed value and the foundation of your presentation.
Protesting your Texas property taxes is worth the effort. Nearly 90% of commercial properties valued over one million dollars protest their property taxes annually. There is no reason residential owners should approach it any differently.
| The following data reflects Resolute’s 2025 client protest results across major Texas counties. These figures are based on protests filed and resolved through Resolute’s platform during the 2025 tax year. |
| County | 2025 Win Rate | 2025 Avg Reduction |
| Harris | 93.5% | 6.3% |
| Dallas | 45.9%* | 6.1% |
| Tarrant | 98.7% | 15.9% |
| Travis | 98.6% | 6.3% |
| Bexar | 99.9% | 7.6% |
| Denton | 98.7% | 8.7% |
| Fort Bend | 95.3% | 4.0% |
| Montgomery | 90.3% | 10.1% |
| McLennan | 96.1% | 15.2% |
*Dallas County’s win rate reflects DCAD’s reappraisal cycle, which targets neighborhoods for full reappraisal on a rolling basis with a minimum of once every three years. In years when a neighborhood has not been selected for active reappraisal, assessed values are less likely to be significantly out of line with market value, which reduces protest opportunities. 2026 is a larger reappraisal year for Dallas County, and we expect our win rate to increase meaningfully as more properties receive fresh assessments.
How to Protest Property Taxes by County in Texas
Every Texas county follows the same general protest process: file by May 15, attend an informal hearing, escalate to the ARB if needed. But each appraisal district has its own tendencies, timelines, and valuation approaches worth understanding before you walk in.
Dallas County Property Tax Protest
The Dallas Central Appraisal District manages over 800,000 accounts, making it one of the largest and most active protest markets in the state. DCAD informal hearings move quickly and appraisers are well-prepared. North Dallas, Frisco, and Plano homeowners have seen sharp valuation increases in recent years. Having an agent with direct DCAD experience makes a measurable difference in outcomes. See our Dallas County property tax protest page.
Harris County Property Tax Protest
Harris County is the largest appraisal district in Texas with over 1.8 million accounts. HCAD processes an enormous volume of protests each season, which means informal hearings can feel rushed. Pushing to the ARB is often the right move on higher-value properties where the savings justify the extra step. See our Harris County property tax protest page.
Tarrant County Property Tax Protest
Tarrant County covers Fort Worth, Arlington, and surrounding communities. TCAD has been aggressive with residential valuations in recent years, particularly in fast-growing areas of southwest Fort Worth and Mansfield. The deadline and ARB process mirror the rest of Texas. See our Tarrant County property tax protest page.
Travis County Property Tax Protest
Austin’s rapid growth has pushed Travis County Appraisal District valuations well above statewide averages. TCAD values can lag actual market conditions at the time of the hearing, which creates real protest opportunity, particularly for central Austin properties and East Austin investment assets that have seen the sharpest run-ups. See our Travis County property tax protest page.
Bexar County Property Tax Protest
San Antonio’s Bexar County Appraisal District has seen consistent value increases across established neighborhoods and newer suburban developments alike. Bexar protests benefit from strong comparable sales evidence, particularly for homeowners in Stone Oak, Alamo Ranch, and the Medical Center corridor. See our Bexar County property tax protest page.
Collin County Property Tax Protest
Collin County covers Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and Allen, some of the fastest-appreciating zip codes in Texas. The Collin Central Appraisal District has been aggressive with valuations tracking the hot North Dallas real estate market. Protest rates in Collin County are among the highest in the state, meaning the ARB hears a high volume of cases each season. See our Collin County property tax protest page.
Denton County Property Tax Protest
Denton County includes Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Frisco’s northern reach. Denton CAD valuations have tracked the broader DFW growth story closely. Commercial and multifamily owners in particular have seen significant assessment increases as cap rates compressed and rents rose across the county. See our Denton County property tax protest page.
Fort Bend County Property Tax Protest
Fort Bend County covers Sugar Land, Missouri City, Katy, and Richmond, one of the fastest-growing suburban counties in the state. The Fort Bend Central Appraisal District has consistently issued above-average valuation increases as the county’s population and home prices have climbed. See our Fort Bend County property tax protest page.
Montgomery County Property Tax Protest
Montgomery County covers The Woodlands, Conroe, and the northern Houston suburbs. Values in The Woodlands and surrounding master-planned communities have been particularly active, and MCAD informal hearings respond well to strong comparable sales evidence from the local market. See our Montgomery County property tax protest page.
Hays County Property Tax Protest
Hays County covers Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, and Wimberley, communities that absorbed enormous population growth during Austin’s expansion. Hays CAD valuations have in some cases outpaced what the market data actually supports, creating strong protest opportunity for homeowners who moved in during the peak years. See our Hays County property tax protest page.
FAQs
What is the deadline to protest property taxes in Texas?
The Texas property tax protest deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. The date printed on your notice controls. Missing this deadline forfeits your right to protest for the entire 2026 tax year with no recourse until 2027.
Can I protest my property taxes if my value did not increase?
Yes. You can protest your property taxes in Texas every year regardless of whether your value increased. An unequal appraisal protest — where your property is assessed higher than comparable properties — is valid even if your value is unchanged from last year. Texas Tax Code Section 41.41 guarantees this right annually.
What evidence do I need to protest my property taxes in Texas?
The most effective evidence for a Texas property tax protest is comparable sales data. Identify recent sales of properties similar to yours in size, age, and condition within your neighborhood code. Calculate the average price per square foot and apply it to your property. Photos documenting condition issues, repair estimates, and market analysis reports can also support your case.
What happens at a Texas property tax protest hearing?
Texas property tax protests proceed in up to three stages. First, an informal hearing with an appraisal district staff member where most cases resolve. Second, a formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing before a three-member panel if the informal hearing is unsatisfactory. Third, binding arbitration or district court litigation for cases where the ARB decision is disputed. Per Texas Tax Code 41.66(b), the taxpayer is always entitled to the final word during ARB presentations.
Is it worth hiring a property tax protest company in Texas?
For most Texas property owners, yes. Professional protest companies work on contingency, meaning there is no cost unless they achieve a reduction. Companies with appraisal district experience typically achieve higher reductions than self-represented protests because they understand how assessments are built and what evidence appraisers find most compelling. The savings compound annually since a lower assessed value becomes the baseline for future years.
How long does a Texas property tax protest take?
Most Texas property tax protests resolve within 60 to 120 days of filing. Informal hearings typically occur between April and July. If a case proceeds to an ARB hearing, resolution usually comes by August. Final tax bills reflecting any reduction arrive around October 15 and are due January 31 of the following year.
Want Professional Help to Lower Your Texas Property Taxes?
The May 15th deadline is approaching. Resolute’s team of former appraisal district insiders is ready to fight for every dollar you deserve.
