Honest comparison · 2026
Property tax protest companies in Houston, compared for Harris County (2026)
Harris County reassesses every home every year, and on a typical $50,000 over-assessment at Houston's roughly 2.31% effective rate, that is about $1,155 a year on the line. Six companies actively serve Houston homeowners for the HCAD protest. Here is how they compare on fee, who files, and whether their evidence is relevant to your property and the applicable valuation method. (Five Stone Tax is left out because it does not handle Harris County residential protests.)
| Service | Fee | You keep on a $3,000 saving | Comp data |
|---|---|---|---|
AppealMyTax $49 Audit Filing or valuation output (you file) · $29 DIY kit: all 50 states + D.C.; $49 Audit: evidence varies by county and address | $49 flat, one time | $2,951 | Public county records; comparable evidence only where usable. Filing or valuation output depends on findings. The $29 kit requires your own evidence. |
Ownwell Done for you · 9 states (CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, NY, PA, TX, WA) | 25-35% of savings (varies by state), every year | $2,250/yr | Their analysts assemble the evidence and file on your behalf |
O'Connor & Associates Done for you · Texas + many states | 50% of savings for the appealed tax year | $1,500 | Full-service firm; files and represents you (subject of a Texas AG lawsuit, allegations unproven) |
TaxLasso Done for you · Texas only | $199 flat | $2,801 | AI analysis, then they file and negotiate for you |
Home Tax Shield Done for you · Texas only | $30 + 30% of savings, every year | $2,070/yr | Licensed local pros file and negotiate for you each season |
Texas Protax Done for you · Austin and Central Texas, San Antonio, Greater Houston | 40% of savings, $50 minimum | $1,800/yr | Full-service firm since 1988; agents attend ARB hearings for you |
$3,000 is an illustrative annual saving. Fees are each provider's publicly listed pricing as of June 2026; verify on their sites.
The honest verdict
Choose based on your property, evidence and how much work you will do yourself. Our $29 national DIY kit provides guidance and worksheets; you gather the evidence. The $49 Audit depends on county/address records and provides the filing or valuation output they support. Searchable records are not a promise of comparable sales. Managed services may file and represent you; compare their current local terms. No provider can guarantee an identical outcome or lasting savings.
More on why we are flat-fee and how to vet any appeal service on our honest comparison page, or run your own numbers in the fee calculator.
Prepare your own appeal
The $29 DIY kit includes state process guidance, fillable evidence worksheets and an editable letter. You gather your property evidence and file yourself; property-specific comparables are not included.
Choose your state · $29 DIY kitsWant to check available property records first? Coverage and comparable evidence vary by address. Where supported, the results explain what the separate $49 Property Assessment Audit includes before you buy. A records check does not establish that you are overassessed.
Check available property records · Free
You can prepare before your filing window. Verify your current local deadline; buying a kit does not extend it.