Every year, Texas homeowners have a narrow window to challenge their property tax assessments. For 2026, that window closes on May 15 — and if you miss it, you’re stuck paying whatever your county appraisal district says your home is worth.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 property tax appeal deadline, how to check if you’re overassessed, and how to file your protest on time.
The May 15, 2026 Deadline
Under the Texas Property Tax Code, homeowners must file a Notice of Protest by May 15, 2026 (or within 30 days of receiving their notice of appraised value, whichever is later).
This deadline applies to every county in Texas, including:
- Harris County (Houston) — File at hcad.org
- Dallas County — File at dallascad.org
- Tarrant County (Fort Worth) — File at tad.org
- Bexar County (San Antonio) — File at bcad.org
- Travis County (Austin) — File at traviscad.org
- Collin County (Plano/McKinney) — File at collincad.org
- Denton County — File at dentoncad.com
- Fort Bend County — File at fbcad.org
- Williamson County — File at wcad.org
- Montgomery County — File at mcad-tx.org
Most county appraisal districts send out notices of appraised value in mid-to-late April, giving you roughly 2-4 weeks to decide whether to protest.
How to Check Your 2026 Assessment
Before the deadline, do this:
1. Find Your Notice of Appraised Value
Your county appraisal district mails this to you in April. It shows your property’s market value as assessed by the district. You can also find it online by searching your address on your county’s appraisal district website.
2. Compare to Last Year
Did your assessed value jump? In 2025-2026, many Texas homeowners saw increases of 10-30% due to rising home values and reassessment cycles. A large jump doesn’t automatically mean you’re overassessed, but it’s worth investigating.
3. Check Comparable Sales
Look at what similar homes in your neighborhood actually sold for in the past 6-12 months. If homes like yours are selling for less than your assessed value, you likely have a strong case for protest.
Sites like Zillow, Redfin, and your county’s property search tool all show recent sales data.
4. Compare to Neighbor Assessments
Search your neighbors’ properties on the appraisal district website. If comparable homes on your street are assessed at lower values, you may have an unequal appraisal claim — which is a separate and often stronger basis for protest.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you don’t file by May 15 (or within 30 days of your notice), you waive your right to protest for the 2026 tax year. There are very limited exceptions:
- Late notices: If your appraisal district sent your notice late, your deadline extends to 30 days after the postmark date
- Good cause: In rare cases, the ARB may accept a late filing if you can demonstrate a legitimate reason (serious illness, military deployment, etc.)
- Clerical errors: If the district made a mathematical or clerical error, you can file a motion to correct at any time
For the vast majority of homeowners, there is no second chance. If you think there’s any possibility you’re overpaying, file the protest now and decide later whether to pursue it. Filing costs nothing.
How to File Your Protest
You have three options:
Option 1: File Online (Recommended)
Most Texas counties now offer electronic filing. Visit your county appraisal district’s website and look for the protest or iFile portal. Benefits:
- Instant confirmation
- Easy to upload evidence later
- Track your case status online
Option 2: File by Mail
Download Form 41.44 (Notice of Protest) from your county’s website or the Texas Comptroller’s site. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to your county appraisal district. Must be postmarked by May 15.
Option 3: File in Person
Visit your county appraisal district office during business hours. Bring a photo ID and your property information.
The ARB Process: What Happens After You File
Once you file your protest, here’s the typical timeline:
Informal Hearing (May-June)
Your county will schedule an informal hearing — usually a phone call or video meeting with an appraiser. This is your first shot at negotiating a lower value. About 60-70% of protests settle here.
Come prepared with:
- 3-5 comparable sales showing lower values
- Photos of any property condition issues
- A clear target value you’re requesting
Formal ARB Hearing (June-August)
If you don’t reach an agreement at the informal stage, you’ll go before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) — a panel of local citizens who hear both sides and make a binding decision.
The ARB hearing is more structured:
- You present your evidence (typically 10-15 minutes)
- The appraisal district presents theirs
- The panel deliberates and issues a decision
- You receive the results by mail
Further Appeals
If the ARB rules against you, you still have options:
- Binding arbitration (for properties under $5 million)
- District court (more expensive, but available for any property value)
- State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) (for properties over $1 million)
Most residential homeowners don’t need to go beyond the ARB. The informal and formal hearings resolve the vast majority of cases.
How Much Can You Save?
The average successful Texas property tax protest results in a $500-$2,000 annual savings for residential properties, depending on the assessed value and tax rate.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Home Value | 10% Reduction | Annual Savings (2.2% rate) |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $25,000 | $550 |
| $350,000 | $35,000 | $770 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 | $1,100 |
| $750,000 | $75,000 | $1,650 |
Want to see your exact numbers? Try our free property tax savings calculator — plug in your home value and county to see what a successful protest could save you.
5 Things to Do Before May 15
- Check your notice — Log into your county appraisal district website and review your 2026 appraised value
- Pull comps — Find 3-5 recent sales of similar homes in your area that sold for less than your assessed value
- File your protest — Even if you’re unsure, filing preserves your right. It costs nothing.
- Set a target value — Decide what you believe your home is worth based on the evidence
- Calculate your potential savings — Know what’s at stake before you decide whether to protest
The Bottom Line
Texas gives homeowners a powerful right to challenge their property tax assessments, but that right expires on May 15, 2026. With property values still elevated across the state, millions of Texas homeowners are likely overassessed.
Filing a protest is free, takes 10 minutes online, and there’s no downside — the appraisal district cannot raise your value as a result of your protest. The only risk is not filing at all.
If you want help building a professional appeal case, our $49 Texas Property Tax Appeal Packet gives you customized comparable sales, an equity analysis, and a presentation template ready for your hearing. But even without it, gather your comps and file before May 15. Your future self will thank you.