How to Protest Your Property Taxes in Texas and Potentially Save Thousands

As a Texas homeowner, there’s one piece of mail that can cause instant anxiety each spring: your property tax appraisal notice. If you opened yours recently and thought, “There’s no way my home is worth that much,” you’re not alone—and more importantly, you can do something about it.

Welcome to the world of property tax protests, where the right knowledge (and a little action) can lead to serious savings.

💡 Why Protest Your Property Tax Appraisal?

Each year, your county’s appraisal district determines the “market value” of your home. That value becomes the basis for your property taxes. The higher the number, the more you’ll pay.

But here’s the catch:
Appraisal values aren’t always accurate. They can be based on incomplete data, outdated information, or generalized market trends that don’t reflect your actual home’s condition or location.

The bottom line? If you don’t agree with your home’s valuation, you have the legal right to protest it.

🗓️ Key Deadlines: Don’t Miss the Window

The protest deadline in Texas is typically May 15th, or 30 days after you receive your appraisal notice—whichever is later.
📬 So don’t wait—mark your calendar and act quickly.

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Protest Your Property Taxes in Texas

1. Review Your Appraisal Notice

Start by looking over the details. Check for:

• Correct square footage

• Lot size

• Number of bedrooms/bathrooms

• Recent improvements or additions

Even a small data error can have a big impact on your appraised value.

2. File Your Protest Online or by Mail

You can file a protest through your county appraisal district’s website, or by submitting Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest). Most people find the online method faster and easier.

Here’s what you’ll be asked:

• Do you believe your home is worth less than the appraisal?

• Is the appraisal higher than similar homes?

• Is the information incorrect?

3. Gather Your Evidence

This is where the magic happens. You’ll need data to support your claim, such as:

• Comparable sales (homes like yours that sold for less)

• Photos of needed repairs or issues

• A third-party appraisal (if available)

👉 As a licensed real estate professional, I can pull a free CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) to help strengthen your case.

4. Attend the Informal or Formal Hearing

In many cases, your protest will be reviewed and resolved without a formal hearing. But if needed, you’ll have the chance to present your case in front of the Appraisal Review Board (ARB)—either in person or virtually.

Pro tip: Be polite, concise, and focused on facts, not emotion.

🙋‍♂️ Can You Really Save Money?

Absolutely. Many homeowners are able to reduce their taxable value by 5%, 10%, even 20% or more, depending on how off the original number was. On a $400,000 home, even a 10% reduction could save you over $1,000 a year in taxes.

📣 Final Thoughts: Don’t Pay More Than You Should

Every year, thousands of Texans successfully protest their property tax appraisals—and you can too. It’s your right, and it’s worth your time.

If you’d like help gathering comps, pulling market data, or just understanding your appraisal, I’m happy to assist. Let’s make sure you’re only paying your fair share—and not a dollar more.