Texas · 2026 protest deadline closed May 15
Missed the May 15 deadline? Here's the only smart move.
Straight answer: you cannot file a 2026 protest. Tax Code §41.44 is a hard deadline. Be skeptical of anyone — including us — who tells you otherwise.
But the overassessment that made you want to protest doesn't go away. HCAD publishes 2027 values next March-April. The same homes that were 15-40% over-appraised in 2026 will be in 2027 — only worse, because compounding.
The cost of waiting until next year
$834M in projected 2026 overpayments across 279,846 overassessed Houston-area homes.
Pulled live from HCAD public records (138 Harris County ZIPs). If your house is on the leaderboard, every month you delay action costs you money you can't recover.
The only smart move right now
Lock in 2027 protest prep — $99/yr
The day HCAD publishes your 2027 value (March-April 2027), we auto-build your iFile-ready protest packet with fresh comparable-sales evidence. Filed before May 15, 2027. Then again in 2028, 2029… while you stay subscribed.
Cancel anytime · Includes one fresh packet per year · No contingency fees, ever
What you get with $99/yr
- ✓ HCAD value monitoring — we watch your parcel year-round and email you the day your new appraisal mails
- ✓ Auto-built protest packet each April — iFile-ready, with 3-5 fresh comparable sales pulled from current HCAD records
- ✓ Pre-filled Notice of Protest letter citing Tax Code §41.41 (excessive value) and §41.43(b)(3) (unequal appraisal) for both grounds
- ✓ Informal hearing prep — most cases settle informally if you bring strong comp data
- ✓ ARB hearing checklist — for the <15% that go to formal hearings
- ✓ One packet per year, every year — covers 2027, 2028, 2029, and beyond as long as you're subscribed
- ✓ Cancel anytime — no contracts
Why not Ownwell instead?
Ownwell charges 25-35% of your savings every year. If they get your value reduced by $50,000 and your tax rate is 2.31%, you save ~$1,155/yr — and pay Ownwell $289-$404 of that. Every year. Forever.
At $99 flat per year, we cost less than Ownwell's first-year cut on even modest reductions — and unlike them, our fee doesn't scale with how successful your appeal is. Bigger reduction = same $99.
The most-overassessed Harris County ZIPs right now
If your house is in one of these, the case for locking in 2027 prep is overwhelming.
Common questions
Can I still appeal my Texas property taxes after May 15?
In almost all cases, no. Texas Tax Code §41.44 sets a hard deadline of May 15 (or 30 days after the appraisal notice was mailed). The narrow exceptions — Tax Code §41.411 (failure to mail notice), §41.412 (substantial error), §25.25(c)/(d) (clerical errors, joint motions) — apply to very specific situations and are not a general “late filing” option. Be skeptical of any service claiming they can file your 2026 protest after May 15.
What's the smartest thing to do if I missed the 2026 deadline?
Lock in 2027 prep now. HCAD will publish new 2027 appraised values in March-April 2027. The same overassessment that made you want to protest in 2026 will almost certainly be there in 2027 — only worse. Pre-paying for 2027 monitoring means the moment HCAD publishes your new value, an iFile-ready packet is built and emailed to you with comparable sales evidence, ready to file before May 15, 2027.
How much does the $99/yr annual monitoring cost long-term?
Flat $99/yr, cancel anytime. Includes one fresh protest packet every year for as long as you're subscribed. Compare to Ownwell's 25-35% contingency — a successful $2,000 reduction costs you $500-$700 with Ownwell, every year forever. Our packet costs $99 once per year regardless of how much you save.
Don't miss 2027 too.
We file the day HCAD publishes new values. You don't have to remember.
Cancel anytime · One packet/year · No contingency fees