Texas Property Tax Protest Deadline 2026: All Counties Guide
Complete guide to Texas property tax protest deadlines for 2026. Learn when to file, what happens if you miss the deadline, and how to prepare your protest on time.
Every year, Texas property owners leave millions of dollars on the table. Not because they don't care about their property taxes—but because they missed the deadline to do anything about it.
Once that window closes, you're stuck with whatever value the appraisal district assigned. It doesn't matter if your assessment is clearly too high. It doesn't matter if you have evidence proving it. Miss the deadline, and you wait until next year.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 protest deadline—including the exceptions that might save you if you're cutting it close.
The Date Everyone Needs to Know
May 15, 2026
For most Texas property owners, May 15, 2026 is the deadline. File your protest with your local appraisal district by this date, or lose your right to contest your property's assessed value for the entire year.
But here's where it gets interesting: this deadline isn't always set in stone.
When Your Deadline Extends Past May 15
Texas Tax Code Section 41.44 includes some important exceptions that could buy you extra time.
The 30-Day Rule
If your county mails your Notice of Appraised Value after April 15, you automatically get 30 days from the notice date to file—even if that pushes you past May 15.
Example: Notice dated April 25, 2026? Your real deadline is May 25, 2026.This matters because appraisal districts don't all mail notices at the same time. Larger counties especially can run behind schedule.
Special Circumstances
Texas law allows late protests when life gets in the way:
- Good cause: Serious illness, family emergency, or military deployment
- Appraisal roll errors: If the roll hasn't been certified, you may still file
- District mistakes: If your property value changes due to the district's error
Deadlines for Major Texas Counties
The May 15 deadline applies across Texas, but procedures vary by county. Here's your quick reference for the largest markets:
Harris County (Houston)
- Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice
- Best filing method: Online via iFile
- District: Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD)
Dallas County
- Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice
- Best filing method: Online via Dallas CAD portal
- District: Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD)
Tarrant County (Fort Worth)
- Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice
- Best filing method: Online portal
- District: Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD)
Bexar County (San Antonio)
- Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice
- Best filing method: Online via BCAD portal
- District: Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD)
Travis County (Austin)
- Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice
- Best filing method: Online portal
- District: Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD)
Collin County (Plano, McKinney, Frisco)
- Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice
- Best filing method: Online via CCAD portal
- District: Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD)
The Full 2026 Timeline
Understanding the complete calendar helps you prepare—not just react.
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Assessment date — Property valued as of this date |
| January 31, 2026 | Previous year's tax bills due |
| April 1-30, 2026 | Notices of Appraised Value mailed |
| May 15, 2026 | Standard protest deadline |
| May-July 2026 | Informal hearings and ARB hearings |
| July 2026 | Appraisal rolls typically certified |
| October 2026 | Tax rates set, bills calculated |
| January 31, 2027 | 2026 property tax bills due |
Five Ways to Never Miss Your Deadline
1. Set Multiple Calendar Reminders
One reminder isn't enough. Life happens. Set these:
- April 1: Start watching for your notice
- May 1: Two weeks to go
- May 10: Crunch time
- May 14: Last chance
2. File Early
There's zero advantage to waiting. Filing on May 1 instead of May 15 gives you:
- Peace of mind
- More time to gather evidence
- Earlier hearing dates (less crowded)
- Flexibility if something goes wrong
3. Use Online Filing
Every major Texas county offers online filing. The benefits are obvious:
- Instant confirmation (no "did they receive it?" anxiety)
- No mail delays
- Available 24/7
- Digital record of submission
4. Know Your Actual Deadline
Remember the 30-day rule. Your real deadline depends on when you received your notice:
- Save your notice immediately
- Note the mailing date
- Calculate your personal 30-day window
- Document when you actually received it
5. Decide Before the Deadline Whether to Protest
Don't wait until May 14 to figure out if protesting makes sense. TexasTaxSignal gives you a free, instant analysis of whether your property is worth protesting. Spend 30 seconds now to avoid scrambling later.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
It's serious—but not always final.
Request a Late Filing
Contact your appraisal district immediately. You might qualify if:
- You have documented good cause (illness, emergency)
- The district made an error
- Specific statutory exceptions apply
Prepare for Next Year
If late filing isn't an option, use this year to set yourself up for next year:
- Start gathering evidence now (photos, repair estimates)
- Track comparable sales in your neighborhood
- Document any property condition issues
- Set those calendar reminders for April
Look for Correction Opportunities
Some fixes don't require a formal protest:
- Incorrect property characteristics can be corrected anytime
- Missing exemptions can often be applied mid-year
- Ownership errors need fixing regardless of protest deadlines
Should You Protest in the First Place?
The deadline only matters if protesting makes sense for your property. Quick signals:
Protest Likely Worth It
- Assessment increased more than 10%
- Your value exceeds recent comparable sales
- You have documented property condition issues
- Your assessed value seems higher than similar neighbors
Protest Probably Not Worth It
- Your value decreased or stayed flat
- Recent sales support your assessed value
- Your property is in excellent condition
- You recently bought at or above the assessed value
Skip the Guesswork
Rather than spending hours analyzing data, get a quick answer. TexasTaxSignal compares your property to neighborhood data and tells you whether protesting is worth your time. It takes 30 seconds and could save you hours of unnecessary work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time exactly is the May 15 deadline?
For mailed protests: postmarked May 15 or earlier. For online filing: most districts accept submissions until 11:59 PM Central Time on May 15. Don't test it—file earlier.
Is the deadline different for commercial properties?
No. Commercial and residential properties follow the same May 15 deadline (or 30 days after notice).
Can I file multiple protests for the same property?
One protest per property per tax year. But you can include multiple reasons in the same filing (value too high, unequal appraisal, etc.).
Does the deadline apply to all property types?
Yes. Single-family homes, condos, land, commercial buildings, and investment properties all follow the same rules.
What if I'm selling my property before the deadline?
File anyway. If the sale closes before your hearing, the new owner typically assumes the protest.
Can a property tax consultant file after the deadline?
No. Consultants follow the same deadlines as everyone else. Some may have relationships that help with late-filing requests, but there are no guarantees.
Does a homestead exemption change my deadline?
No. Homestead properties follow the same protest deadlines as non-homestead properties.
What Filing On Time Guarantees You
When you meet the deadline, Texas law protects you:
1. The right to a hearing: Informal, formal (ARB), or both—your choice 2. Value protection: Your assessed value cannot increase during the protest 3. Evidence review: The district must consider what you present 4. Appeal options: If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can take it further
Your Pre-Deadline Checklist
Start now so you're ready when notices arrive:
Before Notices Arrive (January-March)- Photograph any property damage or deferred maintenance
- Research recent sales in your neighborhood
- Review last year's notice for comparison
- Verify your property details on the appraisal district website
- Compare to last year's value
- Check for errors in property characteristics
- Research comparable sales supporting a lower value
- Make your protest decision
- Submit protest online or by mail
- Save your confirmation
- Prepare your evidence packet
- Note any hearing dates
The Bottom Line
May 15, 2026 (or 30 days after your notice) is your one annual opportunity to challenge your property tax assessment. Miss it, and you're accepting whatever value the appraisal district assigns—even if it's clearly wrong.
With success rates between 70-90% and average savings of $1,000 or more, taking 30 minutes to file a protest often delivers the best return on time available to Texas property owners.
Not sure if your property is worth protesting? Check your address at TexasTaxSignal.com for a free, instant recommendation.
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Deadlines and procedures may vary. Always verify current requirements with your county appraisal district.