Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after you receive your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Most counties mail notices in April, so you typically have until mid-May to file.

Don't wait until the deadline — file as soon as you receive your notice to get the earliest hearing date.

No. Filing a property tax protest is free. It's your legal right as a property owner in Texas. You can represent yourself at the hearing without hiring an attorney or tax consultant.

No. Texas law prohibits the ARB from raising your value as a result of your protest. The worst that can happen is they keep the value the same. You have nothing to lose by protesting.

Yes! Property values are reassessed annually, and conditions change. Even if you won last year, this year's assessment may be too high again. Make it a habit to review your notice each April and protest if warranted.

Remember: it costs nothing to file, and you can't be penalized. The only risk is spending a bit of time.

Yes, in most Texas counties. Many appraisal districts now offer online filing and virtual hearings. You can typically file your protest through your county's appraisal district website, and many counties let you submit evidence and attend hearings via video conference or phone.

Check your county appraisal district's website for their specific online options. Our County Statistics page shows which counties offer online protest filing.

Not necessarily. Many protests are resolved before ever reaching the ARB hearing through an informal settlement with the appraisal district. In fact, most successful protests are settled this way.

If your case does go to the ARB, most Texas counties now offer alternatives to in-person appearances:

• Phone hearings — Present your case over the phone
• Video conference — Attend via Zoom or similar platforms
• Written affidavit — Submit your evidence and argument in writing without attending

Check with your county appraisal district for available options. Many homeowners successfully protest without ever appearing in person.

The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing is informal. You'll present your evidence — photos, repair estimates, comparable sales — and explain why your property is overvalued. The appraisal district representative will present their side. The ARB panel (usually 3 members) will ask questions and make a decision.

Most hearings last 15-30 minutes. Many counties now offer online/phone hearings as well.

The most persuasive evidence includes:

• Repair estimates from licensed contractors for foundation, roof, HVAC, plumbing issues
• Photos documenting damage, wear, or deferred maintenance
• Comparable sales showing similar homes sold for less
• Equity comparisons showing neighbors' lower assessments
• Recent appraisal from a licensed appraiser (if you have one)

Great question! If your taxable value is below market value (due to the 10% cap), lowering the market value may not reduce your taxes this year. However, it still helps by:

• Slowing future increases (market value is the ceiling)
• If you reduce market value below taxable value, both drop immediately
• Protecting against the eventual catch-up when taxable reaches market

Learn more in our Property Tax 101 guide.

No. The county's market value is their assessment for tax purposes — it is not the same as what your home would sell for on the open market. Buyers and sellers set prices based on supply, demand, location, and condition, not the tax roll.

In fact, the county's market value is often different from actual sale prices. A successful protest simply means the appraisal district agreed their number was too high — it has no bearing on what a buyer would pay for your home.