It is your right
As a Texas property owner, you can protest to your county's appraisal review board (ARB) if you disagree with the appraisal district's value or any of its actions on your property. A lower value means a lower tax bill from every taxing unit.
$0
To file
Protesting is free. File online or with Form 50-132. No filing service needed.
May 15
Deadline
Or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. Weekends roll to the next business day.
60 days
To appeal
Disagree with the ARB? File in district court or request binding arbitration within 60 days.
Find your deadline (estimate)
No notice yet? Leave it blank to see the May 15 deadline for 2027.
Protest by
Monday, May 17, 2027
May 15, 2027 is a Saturday, so it rolls to the next business day.
An estimate: the later of May 15 or 30 days after the notice date, moved past weekends and major holidays. Your appraisal district has the official date, so confirm it before you file.
How to protest in 4 steps
Watch for your appraisal notice
If your value went up, the appraisal district sends a notice by April 1 for a homestead, or May 1 for other property, or as soon as practical after.
File a Notice of Protest
Send Form 50-132 to your appraisal district, or protest online where your county offers it. Filing is free. Use the county cards below.
Ask for an informal review
Request an informal conference with the appraisal district. Many protests settle here, before any hearing.
Attend your ARB hearing
You get written notice at least 15 days ahead. The appraisal review board (ARB) hears you and the district, then mails you a written order.
Build your case
- Recent sales of similar homes nearby, ideally from the last 6 to 12 months.
- Photos of damage, needed repairs or anything that lowers value.
- Contractor estimates for those repairs.
- The district's own evidence. At least 14 days before your hearing, you can request what it plans to use. Ask for it.
Texas is a non-disclosure state. Sale prices are not public record, which makes comparable sales hard to find on your own.
A REALTOR® can pull them from the MLS. Want comps for your hearing? Ask me or call (956) 238-3688.
You can attend the hearing in person, by phone or videoconference, or by written affidavit. You can also appoint someone to represent you with Form 50-162.
Filing a late protest
- Good cause: the ARB may grant a late hearing if you show good cause for missing the deadline.
- No notice received: protest before your taxes become delinquent.
- Over-appraised by at least one-fourth (homestead) or one-third (other property): file a motion for correction.
- Errors: clerical mistakes, double appraisals or wrong ownership can be corrected for this year and the five before it.
If you disagree with the ARB
You can appeal the ARB's written order. Which option fits depends on your property and its value.
- District court: file within 60 days of receiving the order.
- Binding arbitration: request within 60 days. Open to any homestead, or other property valued at $5 million or less.
- State Office of Administrative Hearings: for values over $1 million. File notice within 30 days.
While you appeal, pay at least the undisputed part of your taxes before the delinquency date.
