Your Texas Notice of Appraised Value: What It Means and What to Do Next (2026)
Every spring, Texas homeowners receive a Notice of Appraised Value from their local appraisal district and what you do directly can impact your property tax bill. Do you ignore it, or treat it like the opportunity it is? This article breaks down what your Notice of Appraised Value actually means, what the Texas Property Tax Code requires it to contain, and why it may be the most important piece of mail you receive all year.
What the Texas Property Tax Code Says About Your Notice of Appraised Value
The Texas Property Tax Code governs everything related to property taxes in the state, from appraisal methods to protest procedures. When it comes to Notices of Appraised Value, the code is specific about when you are required to receive one. An appraisal district is only required to send you a Notice if:
- Your market value increased by more than $1,000 from the prior year
- The property was not on the appraisal roll the previous year
- A change in exemption status resulted in higher taxes (PTC 25.19a,e)
This catches many homeowners off guard. If your value didn’t change significantly, you may not receive a Notice at all — and the Texas property tax protest deadline of May 15th still applies. Don’t wait for the mail. Check your property’s assessed value directly on your county appraisal district’s website starting in early April.
What Your Notice Must Include
When you do receive an official Notice of Appraised Value, the Texas Property Tax Code requires it to contain:
- Your property identification and taxing entities
- Current and prior year appraised value and taxable value
- An estimated tax bill based on the latest known tax rates
- A five-year value history and percentage change
- A breakdown of land value versus improvement value
- Any applicable tax freezes from exemptions
Most importantly, every Notice of Appraised Value is required to include instructions on how to file a property tax protest, including a Notice of Protest form and submission deadline (PTC 25.19g,j).
Why You Should Protest
If you disagree with your assessed value, you have the right to protest it regardless of what happened in prior years. Gather comparable sales data, property damage photos, repair estimates, and any other evidence that supports a lower valuation. Property owners are often treated favorably at the appraisal district. Be polite but prepared.
Doing nothing results in nothing 100% of the time. Even if you’re unsure whether you have a strong case, there is no cost to trying. If you’d rather leave it to professionals, Resolute protests on your behalf on a contingency basis — no savings, no fee. You can’t lose either way.
When will I receive my Texas Notice of Appraised Value?
Texas appraisal districts typically mail Notices of Appraised Value between April 1 and April 15 each year. Under Texas Tax Code Section 25.19, districts are not required to send a notice unless your new market value is more than $1,000 higher than the prior year, the property was not on the prior year’s appraisal roll, or your exemption status changed. Rather than waiting for a notice in the mail, Resolute recommends checking your county appraisal district’s website directly starting April 1.
What should I do when I receive my Notice of Appraised Value?
First, check the market value against what you believe your property is worth. If the value seems high, you have until May 15 (or 30 days from the date of notice, whichever is later) to file a protest. Your notice will include a Notice of Protest form with instructions. You can file online through most county appraisal district websites, by mail, or through a property tax consultant who will file on your behalf.
What if I did not receive a Notice of Appraised Value?
You can still protest your property taxes even if you did not receive a notice in the mail. Under Texas Tax Code, failure to receive a notice does not automatically extend your protest deadline. Check your county appraisal district’s website in early April to see your current year value. If you have not received a notice and your value increased by less than $1,000 from the prior year, the district is not required to send one.
Can my property taxes increase if I file a protest?
No. Filing a protest in Texas cannot cause your assessed value to increase. If the Appraisal Review Board does not grant a reduction, your value stays at the amount shown on your notice. Your property will not be penalized or targeted for protesting.
What is the difference between market value and taxable value on my notice?
Your notice will show both a market value and a taxable value. Market value is the district’s estimate of what your property could sell for. Taxable value is the amount your taxes are calculated on after any applicable exemptions are subtracted. For homesteaded properties, the taxable value may be lower than market value due to the $140,000 school district exemption and the 10% annual cap on taxable value increases.
