Texas homeowners pay a median of $4,232 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 1.49%, the 8th highest of the 15 states we cover. The deadline to appeal: May 15 or 30 days after notice. Here is who sets your value, how to challenge it and what evidence works.
Closed for 2026Closed for 2026. The next protest window opens with appraisal notices in April 2027; protests are due May 15, 2027 or 30 days after your notice.
File a written Notice of Protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases (for example, you never got a required notice). Example: if your notice was delivered April 20, your deadline is May 20 (30 days later) instead of May 15.
The appraisal district must deliver a Notice of Appraised Value by April 1 for a homestead (May 1 for other property), or as soon as practical after that. The notice explains how and by when to protest.
Enter the market value on your assessment notice and what you think the home would really sell for. We estimate the yearly saving if the board agrees with you.
Some states cap how fast the taxable value of a home can rise (California, Florida, Michigan and Texas homesteads, for example). If your taxable value is already held below market value by a cap, a lower market value may not lower this year's bill.
The appraisal district (CAD) in your county sets market values for all local taxing units. A separate Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hears protests. Homes are appraised at 100% of market value as of January 1. For a homestead, the taxable (appraised) value cannot rise more than 10% a year, plus the value of new improvements. Appraisal districts must reappraise at least once every three years; most large districts update values every year.
Yes. You can ask the appraisal district for an informal meeting (in person, by phone or online in many counties) before your ARB hearing. Many cases settle there. If you accept a settlement, you usually give up further appeal for that year.
What works in Texas: Recent sales of similar nearby homes (the district's own evidence packet is a good starting point); Unequal-appraisal comparison: appraised values of similar homes in your neighborhood, adjusted for differences; Photos, contractor repair estimates and inspection reports showing condition problems; Your closing statement if you bought the home recently; A certified appraisal (if done within 180 days of the hearing it can shift a higher burden to the district).
File Form 50-132 (or any written notice that names you, the property and what you disagree with) with the ARB, usually online through the appraisal district's portal, by mail or in person. The ARB must give at least 15 days' notice of your hearing. You may ask for the district's evidence in advance. At the hearing (in person, by phone/video, or by sworn affidavit on Form 50-283) you and the appraiser each present evidence, and the 3-member panel decides. The ARB sends its written order by certified mail. Cost: No fee.
The appraisal district must prove its value is right by a preponderance of the evidence. It must meet the higher 'clear and convincing' standard if (a) your home is worth $1 million or less and you file a sworn certified appraisal at least 14 days before the hearing, or (b) your value was lowered on protest last year (not by agreement) and you file supporting sales or data 14 days ahead. In an unequal-appraisal claim you win unless the district shows your value is at or below the median of comparable properties.
Binding arbitration: within 60 days after you receive the ARB order. SOAH: notice of appeal within 30 days. District court: petition within 60 days. Binding arbitration is open to any homestead and other property worth $5 million or less; file Form AP-219 (Request for Binding Arbitration) with the Texas Comptroller, online or by mail with a check or money order payable to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, plus a deposit ($450 for a homestead the ARB valued at $500,000 or less, $500 above that). If the arbitrator's value is closer to yours, you get the deposit back minus a $50 fee.
The ARB or appeal value replaces the original. If you already paid, the tax office refunds the overpayment. If your value was lowered on protest (not by a settlement), next year the district must meet a 'clear and convincing' standard to raise it if you file evidence 14 days before the hearing.
On the protest form 50-132, check 'Value is unequal compared with other properties' and show your appraised value exceeds the median appraised value of a reasonable number of comparable homes, appropriately adjusted (Tax Code 41.41(a)(2), 41.43(b)(3)). Run the numbers with our unequal assessment calculator.
Most wins start with a mistake in the assessor's record of your home. Check it line by line.
Record card checklistAn exemption is separate from an appeal: you apply once and it cuts your taxable value every year. Check you have every one you qualify for.
Removes $140,000 of value from school district taxes for your primary home (raised from $100,000 by Proposition 13, approved November 2025, retroactive to tax year 2025). Apply to the appraisal district, generally before May 1.
An extra $60,000 off school district value (up from $10,000 under Proposition 11, 2025), for $200,000 total. These owners also get a school-tax ceiling that freezes school taxes on the home.
Partial exemptions by disability rating; 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses can get a total exemption on the homestead.
You can protest on your own. Anyone can represent you if you sign Form 50-162, but a person paid to do it must be a TDLR-registered property tax consultant unless they are a Texas attorney, CPA, or a real estate broker or appraiser working on a single-family home. Contingency-fee protest companies are common; read the contract for the fee share and term.
Fill in your details and download a written appeal statement as a PDF or Word file. Most boards also require their own appeal form: file the form and attach this letter and your evidence to it.
Tax Appeal Map is a free information site, not a law firm or appraiser. The letter is a template, not legal advice.
File a written Notice of Protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases (for example, you never got a required notice). Example: if your notice was delivered April 20, your deadline is May 20 (30 days later) instead of May 15.
With the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) protest. File Form 50-132 (or any written notice that names you, the property and what you disagree with) with the ARB, usually online through the appraisal district's portal, by mail or in person. The ARB must give at least 15 days' notice of your hearing. You may ask for the district's evidence in advance. At the hearing (in person, by phone/video, or by sworn affidavit on Form 50-283) you and the appraiser each present evidence, and the 3-member panel decides. The ARB sends its written order by certified mail.
No fee.
Yes. You can ask the appraisal district for an informal meeting (in person, by phone or online in many counties) before your ARB hearing. Many cases settle there. If you accept a settlement, you usually give up further appeal for that year.
You can appeal to the Regular binding arbitration, State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), or district court. Binding arbitration: within 60 days after you receive the ARB order. SOAH: notice of appeal within 30 days. District court: petition within 60 days. Binding arbitration is open to any homestead and other property worth $5 million or less; file Form AP-219 (Request for Binding Arbitration) with the Texas Comptroller, online or by mail with a check or money order payable to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, plus a deposit ($450 for a homestead the ARB valued at $500,000 or less, $500 above that). If the arbitrator's value is closer to yours, you get the deposit back minus a $50 fee.
The ARB or appeal value replaces the original. If you already paid, the tax office refunds the overpayment. If your value was lowered on protest (not by a settlement), next year the district must meet a 'clear and convincing' standard to raise it if you file evidence 14 days before the hearing.
Checked 2026-10 against official Texas sources. Local deadlines and fees can differ; confirm with your assessor or board.