Should I protest my Texas property taxes in 2026?

It depends on your specific property. Key indicators that protesting is worth it: your assessment increased more than 10% year-over-year, your property is valued higher than similar homes in your neighborhood, or your assessment exceeds recent comparable sales. TexasTaxSignal provides free instant analysis to help you decide in 60 seconds.

What is the success rate for Texas property tax protests?

Texas property tax protest success rates are very high. Informal hearings typically have a 70-90% success rate depending on the county. Harris County sees about 85% success, Travis County around 88%. The average Texas homeowner who protests saves $1,000 or more per year.

When is the Texas property tax protest deadline for 2026?

The general Texas property tax protest deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your appraisal notice date, whichever is later. You must file your protest with your county's Central Appraisal District (CAD) before this deadline.

How much does it cost to protest property taxes in Texas?

Filing a property tax protest in Texas is completely free. You can file online, by mail, or in person with your county's CAD at no cost. TexasTaxSignal also provides free analysis to help you decide if protesting is worth your time.

How do I protest my property taxes in Texas?

To protest Texas property taxes: 1) File a Notice of Protest with your county CAD by May 15th, 2) Gather evidence (comparable sales, property condition photos), 3) Attend your informal hearing, 4) If not satisfied, proceed to the ARB (Appraisal Review Board) formal hearing. Most protests are resolved at the informal hearing stage.

What counties does TexasTaxSignal support?

TexasTaxSignal supports 46 Texas counties covering over 6.5 million homes. This includes all major metros: Harris (Houston), Dallas, Tarrant (Fort Worth), Bexar (San Antonio), Travis (Austin), Collin (Plano/Frisco), plus fast-growing counties like Denton, Fort Bend, Williamson, Montgomery, and many more.

Can I protest my property taxes every year in Texas?

Yes, you can and should review your property tax assessment every year in Texas. Property values change annually, and even if you protested last year, new factors may make this year worth protesting too. TexasTaxSignal helps you evaluate each year's assessment.

What is the difference between informal and formal property tax hearings in Texas?

An informal hearing is a meeting with an appraiser from your CAD - it's casual, quick (15-30 minutes), and where 70-90% of protests are resolved. A formal hearing is before the ARB (Appraisal Review Board), is more structured, and happens if you're not satisfied with the informal hearing result. Most homeowners never need the formal hearing.

HCAD

Harris County Property Tax Protest

Should you protest your Harris County property taxes? Get a free instant analysis and find out if it's worth your time.

85%

Success Rate

$1,200

Avg. Annual Savings

1.8M+

Properties

8.5%

Avg YoY Increase

Why Protest in Harris County?

Rising Assessments

Harris County saw an average 8.5% increase in property assessments this year.

Significant Savings

The average successful protest saves $1,200 per year in property taxes.

Deadline Approaching

The protest deadline for Harris County is May 15, 2026. Don't miss it!

Cities We Cover

Houston

Pasadena

Baytown

Sugar Land

Katy

Bellaire

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I protest my Harris County property taxes?

File a protest with the HCAD by May 15, 2026. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. TexasTaxSignal helps you decide if it's worth protesting before you invest time in the process.

What is the success rate for Harris County property tax protests?

Informal protests in Harris County have approximately a 85% success rate. However, success depends on having valid grounds for protest - that's what TexasTaxSignal helps you determine.

How much can I save by protesting in Harris County?

The average successful protest in Harris County results in annual savings of $1,200. Your actual savings depend on your property's specific situation and how much your assessment exceeds fair market value.