The Texas Property Tax Protest Process
One of a Texas property owner's most important rights is the right to protest to the appraisal review board (ARB). You may protest if you disagree with the appraisal district's value or any of its actions concerning your property.
The process at a glance
- Your notice arrives. The appraisal district sends a notice of appraised value when your value rises (by April 1 for most homesteads, May 1 otherwise). Read the value and the property description on it — both are protestable.
- Decide whether to protest. Compare the value with your own knowledge of the property and genuinely similar properties. The assessment checker organizes this first pass.
- File on time. Generally May 15 or 30 days after the notice was delivered — whichever is later (see deadlines, how to file).
- Prepare your evidence. Photographs, estimates, sales documents, comparable data — whatever supports your specific case (evidence section).
- Informal conference, then hearing. Many protests settle informally with the appraisal district; otherwise an ARB panel hears both sides and issues a written order later ( the hearing).
- After the order. The order sets the value for the year; appeal routes exist if you disagree with it ( after the hearing, appeal options).