Property tax appeal comparison · 2026
Houston Chronicle TX TAX vs AppealMyTax
TX TAX shows you the data. We hand you the iFile-ready protest packet: $49 flat, one time.
Them
Houston Chronicle TX TAX
Free address lookup, paywalled comparable data (Hearst paper subscription required)
Free address search; $1.99-$4.99/mo to see comparable data
The TX TAX tool itself is free to search, but to see the comparable HCAD properties needed for an actual protest, you need a Houston Chronicle (or Hearst paper) subscription.
Coverage
Texas only (TX TAX). Texas, 14 county appraisal districts (us).
Us
AppealMyTax
Flat-fee packet, no contingency, no recurring cut.
$49 flat
One time. You keep 100% of your savings every year. Ownwell keeps 25-35%, O'Connor keeps half. See your exact overpayment free first, no signup.
Coverage
Texas, 14 county appraisal districts (HCAD plus 13 others), with Harris County (Houston) live
Real-world cost comparison
Houston homeowner in Harris County, $1,200/yr potential savings
Annual savings on appeal
$1,200
Houston Chronicle TX TAX cost
Free search + $4.99/mo for comps (~$60/yr) + 2-3 hours to write your own letter
$1,140/yr (after subscription), assuming you actually file the protest yourself
AppealMyTax cost
$49 one-time, packet emailed in 30 seconds
$1,151/yr, and your time is freed up
Multi-year math
TX TAX requires re-subscribing every year to see fresh comps and re-write your own protest each cycle. Our packet is a one-time $49 with no recurring subscription at all.
Houston Chronicle TX TAX: pros & cons
Strengths
- ✓ Free initial address check
- ✓ Backed by Hearst Newspapers, recently expanded statewide across Texas
- ✓ Trusted journalism brand
Limitations
- ✗ Doesn't generate a protest packet, so you have to hand-write your own protest letter
- ✗ Comparable data behind a paper subscription paywall ($1.99-$4.99/mo)
- ✗ No ARB hearing prep or filing instructions
- ✗ No annual subscription option, so you start over from scratch every year
Why AppealMyTax wins
- ★ Generates a complete iFile-ready protest packet (cover letter, evidence sheet, filing steps), not just data
- ★ $49 one-time, no recurring paywall, and you keep 100% of your savings
- ★ Step-by-step HCAD iFile walkthrough included in every packet, so filing it yourself takes about 10 minutes
Try it free
Search your address. Get your specific overassessment estimate in 30 seconds. No credit card.
Check my address · FreeThe free check is genuinely free: no signup, no email. Optional $49 packet only if you want a pre-filled iFile-ready protest letter, and you keep 100% of your savings.