Texas property tax protest questions, answered

How do I protest my property taxes in Harris County?

File with the Harris Central Appraisal District by May 15, or 30 days after your notice was mailed, whichever is later. The fastest path is HCAD's free iFile...

How do I protest my property taxes in Dallas County?

File with the Dallas Central Appraisal District by May 15, or 30 days after your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. DCAD's uFile portal handles...

Is it too late to protest my property taxes in Texas?

For the current tax year, usually yes once May 15 passes (Texas Tax Code Section 41.44). Two real exceptions exist: if your notice was mailed late, you get 3...

What evidence do I need for an ARB hearing?

Bring a comparable-assessment table: five or more similar nearby homes from your county's own appraisal roll, compared per square foot, supporting an unequal...

What is unequal appraisal in Texas?

Unequal appraisal is the protest ground in Texas Tax Code Section 41.43(b)(3): your property is appraised above the median appraised value of a reasonable nu...

Is Ownwell worth it?

Ownwell is worth it if you want a fully hands-off protest and accept the price: a contingency fee starting at 25 percent of your savings in Texas, charged ev...

Should I hire someone to protest my property taxes?

Usually no. Texas Comptroller data shows protesting works without a firm: 94.66 percent of Hays County homeowners who protested informally in 2024 won a redu...

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

Filing yourself is free in every Texas county. Paid help comes in two models. Contingency firms take a cut of your savings: Ownwell from 25 percent a year, H...

Do property tax protests work in Texas?

Yes, at rates that surprise most homeowners. Texas Comptroller data for Hays County shows 94.66 percent of informal protesters won in 2024, 99.63 percent in ...

What happens at an ARB hearing in Texas?

An Appraisal Review Board hearing is a short panel session, typically 15 to 30 minutes. You present your evidence, the appraisal district presents its own, a...

How are comparable properties chosen for a tax protest?

Good Texas comps come from the county's own appraisal roll: homes of similar size, age, and neighborhood, adjusted for differences, then compared as median v...

Can I protest my property taxes myself in Texas?

Yes. Texas Tax Code Section 41.41 gives every property owner the right to protest, filing is free, and major counties take it online in about 10 minutes. The...