What is a property tax appeal?

A property tax appeal (also called a protest) is a formal process where you challenge your county appraisal district's assessed value of your home. In Texas, you file a protest with your county's Appraisal Review Board (ARB), present evidence that your home is overvalued, and the ARB issues a ruling.

What's the deadline to file a property tax protest in Texas?

In Texas, the deadline to file a property tax protest is May 15, 2026 (or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later). There are no extensions.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes?

Texas homeowners who appeal save an average of $774 per year. Success rates range from 80-91% when homeowners bring comparable sales evidence.

When is the property tax appeal deadline in Highlands County?

Highlands County VAB petitions are due 25 days after the TRIM notice is mailed by the HighlandsPA. TRIM notices typically mail Aug 14, 2026, making the petition deadline approximately Sept 8, 2026. Petitions must be RECEIVED by the Clerk of Court — postmark date does not count.

How do I appeal property taxes in Highlands County?

File Form DR-486 with the Highlands County Value Adjustment Board (VAB), administered by the Clerk of Court. The filing fee is $15 per parcel. Strong appeals include 3-5 comparable sales from the last 12 months, adjusted for size, age, and condition. Florida property owners may petition the county Value Adjustment Board (VAB) using Form DR-486 within 25 days of the TRIM notice mailing date. The filing fee is $15 per parcel. Petitions can usually be filed online through the County Clerk's office.

What is the average property tax savings in Highlands County?

Highlands County homeowners with successful VAB petitions save approximately $340 per year. Savings compound — Florida's Save Our Homes 3% cap means a one-time reduction protects against future increases for as long as the home is your homestead.

What is the median home value in Highlands County?

The median home value in Highlands County is approximately $195,000, with an effective property tax rate around 0.92% (~$1,794/year in property taxes).

Florida County · Petition deadline Sept 8, 2026

Highlands County Property Tax Appeal Guide

Sebring-area homeowners save an average of $340/year by filing a DR-486 petition with the HighlandsPA Value Adjustment Board. Save Our Homes 3% cap protects every dollar reduced.

Florida Launch · Get notified when Highlands County goes live

Early Access

Highlands County packets coming soon

We're building county-specific appeal packets for Highlands County. Drop your email and we'll send you the Highlands County ARB filing checklist today, plus notify you the moment packets launch.

Phone optional. We'll only contact you about Highlands County appeals — no spam.

TRIM notices mail Aug 14, 2026. We'll email your overassessment estimate the day yours hits the mailbox.

$195,000

Median Home Value

0.92%

Effective Tax Rate

$1,794

Avg Annual Tax

$340/yr

Avg Appeal Savings

How property tax appeals work in Highlands County

Florida property owners have a right to challenge their assessed value under Florida Statutes §194.011. In Highlands County, petitions are filed with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB), administered by the Clerk of Court — the HighlandsPA (Highlands County Property Appraiser) handles the underlying valuation.

The petition window is 25 days after the TRIM notice is mailed. For Highlands County, TRIM notices typically mail around Aug 14, 2026 — putting the 2026 petition deadline at approximately Sept 8, 2026. The filing fee is $15 per parcel.

Florida property owners may petition the county Value Adjustment Board (VAB) using Form DR-486 within 25 days of the TRIM notice mailing date. The filing fee is $15 per parcel. Petitions can usually be filed online through the County Clerk's office.

The strongest petitions include 3-5 comparable sales from the last 12 months in your immediate neighborhood, adjusted for square footage, year built, and condition. Many counties use the Axia e-filing portal for VAB submissions — your packet works with both online and paper filing.

File With

Highlands County Value Adjustment Board

Property Appraiser: Highlands County Property Appraiser
County Seat: Sebring
PAO Website: www.hcpao.org
VAB Filing Portal: www.hccourtclerk.org/vab
TRIM Mails: Aug 14, 2026
Petition Deadline: Sept 8, 2026
Petition Form: Form DR-486 (statewide)
Filing Fee: $15 per parcel

Cities we'll cover in Highlands County

When Highlands County goes live, our DR-486 packets will work for homeowners across:

Sebring, FLAvon Park, FLLake Placid, FL

Early Access

Highlands County packets coming soon

We're building county-specific appeal packets for Highlands County. Drop your email and we'll send you the Highlands County ARB filing checklist today, plus notify you the moment packets launch.

Phone optional. We'll only contact you about Highlands County appeals — no spam.

Other Florida county appeal guides

Miami-Dade County →Broward County →Hillsborough County →Palm Beach County →Orange County →Duval County →Pinellas County →Polk County →Lee County →Brevard County →Pasco County →Volusia County →Seminole County →Sarasota County →Manatee County →Osceola County →

See all 67 Florida counties →