Denton County tax assessor-collector: Lewisville TX property tax guide

Last updated 2026-07-09

What does the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector actually do for Lewisville homeowners?

The Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector bills and collects your property taxes. That office does not set your home's value. It takes the values certified by a separate agency, applies the rates each taxing unit adopts, mails your bill, and takes your payment. The current officeholder is Michelle French.

That one distinction saves a lot of wasted phone calls.

The Assessor-Collector's work is the paperwork end: apply the taxable values DCAD certifies, apply the rates your city, school district, county, and any MUD adopt, generate bills, take payments, post approved exemptions, issue tax certificates, and chase delinquencies. Think billing department, nothing more. ^[1]

Lewisville sits mostly in Denton County. Some parcels on the southern edge cross into Dallas County. If your Lewisville address carries a Denton County property account number (check the DCAD property search at https://www.dcad.org), the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector handles your bill. Not sure which county your parcel is in? Look at the account prefix, or call DCAD at 940-349-3800. ^[2]

The Assessor-Collector's main office is at 1505 E McKinney St, Denton, TX 76209. There's a Lewisville branch at 1400 FM 407, Suite 100, Lewisville, TX 75077, which takes payments, handles auto registration, and answers routine tax questions without the drive to Denton. Hours and closures shift, so confirm at the county's official site before you go. ^[1]

Who actually appraises Lewisville properties, and how do I reach them?

The Denton Central Appraisal District (DCAD) appraises every taxable property in Denton County, including all Lewisville parcels inside the county line. DCAD is an independent agency created under Texas Tax Code Chapter 6, not a department of county government. If a value looks wrong, DCAD is where you start. ^[3]

DCAD's main office is at 3911 Morse St, Denton, TX 76208. Phone is 940-349-3800. The website, https://www.dcad.org, has a property search, a protest portal, exemption applications, and ownership records. Got a Notice of Appraised Value you want to fight? That fight goes to DCAD, not the Tax Assessor-Collector.

A board of directors, appointed by the taxing units in the county, governs the appraisal district. The chief appraiser runs daily operations and signs the appraisal roll. The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) is yet another body: a panel of citizens who hear protests and rule independently of DCAD staff. ^[3]

This three-way split trips up homeowners constantly. Here's the map. DCAD sets values. The ARB hears protests about those values. The Tax Assessor-Collector sends bills based on those values. Billing complaints go to Michelle French's office. Value complaints go to DCAD, then the ARB.

What are the key tax rates and entities taxing Lewisville properties?

Your Lewisville tax bill is the sum of several overlapping taxing units. For a typical homeowner that means Denton County, Lewisville Independent School District (LISD), the City of Lewisville, and possibly a special district or two (municipal utility districts, hospital districts, community college districts). Each unit sets its own rate and votes on it separately.

School taxes are the biggest line for almost everyone. For the 2024 tax year (bills mailed fall 2024, due January 31, 2025), the LISD maintenance-and-operations rate was $0.9046 per $100 of taxable value. ^[4] Denton County's 2024 adopted rate was $0.189485 per $100. ^[1] The City of Lewisville adopted $0.408459 per $100 for 2024. ^[5]

Run the math on a $450,000 taxable value (after exemptions) inside the city limits and you land around $6,760 a year across those units, before any special district charges.

Rates reset every September when each taxing unit holds budget hearings and votes. The Tax Assessor-Collector's website posts the final adopted rates after certification. DCAD's certified appraisal roll goes to each taxing unit by late July under Tax Code Section 26.01, and each unit must publish proposed rates and hold truth-in-taxation hearings before adopting. ^[10]

Taxing Unit	2024 Rate (per $100)	Source
Lewisville ISD	$0.9046	LISD adopted budget
City of Lewisville	$0.408459	City of Lewisville
Denton County	$0.189485	Denton County Tax Office
Denton County Road & Bridge	$0.007500 (approx.)	Denton County

Rates shown are 2024. Verify current rates at the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector's website or the individual taxing unit before you make any money decision. ^[1]

What is the deadline to protest my Denton County property value?

The Texas protest deadline is May 15, or 30 days after DCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. ^[3] That "whichever is later" clause matters. Notice mailed April 20 gives you until May 20. Notice mailed April 1 falls back to the May 15 floor.

Miss that date and you almost certainly lose your right to a formal ARB hearing for the year.

There are narrow escape hatches. If your property was appraised at more than 25% above market value, or you never got proper notice, you can file a late protest under Tax Code Section 41.411. Those get litigated and nobody should count on them. ^[3]

Once you file, DCAD usually offers an informal meeting first, or for many properties an online settlement through its iSettle portal. No agreement informally? The ARB schedules a formal hearing. Denton County ARB hearings usually run May through July, and the calendar stretches in heavy protest years.

If your notice shows a number that looks wrong, May 15 is your planning date. Put it on the calendar today. Filing costs nothing. You can file online at https://www.dcad.org, by mail, or in person at DCAD's Denton office.

What exemptions are available for Lewisville homeowners in Denton County?

Texas has several exemptions that lower your taxable value directly, and Denton County passes most through. Here are the ones that matter for Lewisville residents.

Homestead exemption. Under Texas Tax Code Section 11.13, your primary residence qualifies for a homestead exemption, and school districts must now offer a $100,000 homestead exemption from appraised value starting with the 2023 tax year (House Bill 3, 88th Legislature). ^[6] LISD applies it automatically once DCAD has an approved exemption on file. The county and city may add their own homestead exemptions on their share of the bill.

Over-65 exemption. Homeowners 65 and older get an added $10,000 school exemption statewide, plus a Denton County senior exemption. The big one: turning 65 freezes your school tax ceiling. The dollar amount you pay LISD cannot rise as long as you own and occupy the home, even when values climb. ^[3] The freeze moves with you to another Texas home.

Disabled persons exemption. The same $10,000 school exemption and tax ceiling that seniors get applies to certified disabled persons under Tax Code Section 11.13(c). Age 65 is not required.

Disabled veteran exemptions. Texas Tax Code Section 11.22 runs from $5,000 (a 10 to 29 percent disability rating) up to a full exemption on the entire appraised value for veterans rated 100 percent disabled by the VA. ^[7] Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also qualify.

File every exemption with DCAD, not the Tax Assessor-Collector. Applications are on DCAD's website. The deadline for most exemptions is April 30 of the tax year you want it. Late applications are accepted in some cases up to two years past the deadline under Tax Code Section 11.431. ^[3]

How do I actually protest my Lewisville property appraisal?

The protest runs in three stages: informal negotiation, ARB hearing, then binding arbitration or district court if you go further. Most homeowners settle at the informal stage and never see a hearing room.

Step 1: File a protest notice. Use DCAD's online portal at https://www.dcad.org or mail a written protest to DCAD. All you have to say is that you disagree with the value. No lawyer or agent required. Check the box for "value is over market value" and the box for "value is unequal" (unequal appraisal is a strong Texas-only ground that lets you argue your property is taxed at a higher share of value than comparable homes, even when the market value itself is defensible). ^[3]

Step 2: Gather evidence. Two things carry the most weight: recent comparable sales of similar homes that closed below your appraised value, and a current independent appraisal or your own purchase price if you bought recently. DCAD must give you the evidence it plans to use at least 14 days before your ARB hearing under Tax Code Section 41.67. Request it. Study their comps and hunt for differences in square footage, condition, location, and lot size.

Step 3: Informal settlement. DCAD appraisers often agree to a cut without a formal hearing when your evidence is clean. iSettle, the online platform, lets you submit evidence and get an offer. Accept it and you're done. Reject it and you move to the ARB.

Step 4: ARB hearing. You present to a three-member panel. You go first, because the burden is on the owner to show the value is wrong. Keep it factual and short. Most panels rule the same day.

A tool like the TaxFightBack DIY appeal kit organizes your comparable sales and builds an ARB packet without handing a contingency firm 30 to 50 percent of your savings.

If the ARB denies you and you still think the value is wrong, you can go to binding arbitration (available for most homestead property valued at $5 million or less under Tax Code Section 41A.01) or file suit in district court. ^[3] Arbitration takes a deposit of $500 to $1,500 depending on value, refunded if you win.

What is unequal appraisal and why does it matter for Lewisville homeowners?

Unequal appraisal is one of the strongest protest grounds in Texas, and almost nobody outside the state has it. Under Texas Tax Code Section 41.43, you can argue your property is appraised at a higher ratio of market value than the median for comparable properties in DCAD's records, even when your absolute value looks defensible. ^[3]

Here's a plain example. DCAD values your 2,200 square-foot Lewisville home at $430,000, which might be fair market value. But ten comparable homes nearby sit on DCAD's roll averaging $380,000. Those neighbors pay tax on a lower ratio. Unequal appraisal entitles you to the same ratio they get.

Texas Tax Code Section 41.43(b)(3) lets the ARB reduce your value to the median appraised value of a reasonable number of comparable properties, drawn from DCAD's own records. No outside appraisal required. What you need is a solid comparable analysis pulled from DCAD's public data.

The Texas Comptroller publishes guidance on unequal appraisal methodology, and DCAD's own evidence packet often includes its equity analysis. Read that packet before your hearing and you'll know whether your unequal appraisal claim holds up. ^[8]

How do I pay my Denton County property tax bill and what happens if I miss the deadline?

Texas property taxes are due January 31 of the year after the tax year. A 2024 tax bill (for the property as it stood January 1, 2024) is due January 31, 2025. ^[1] After that, penalties and interest start piling on.

The penalty schedule is rough. On February 1 a 6 percent penalty attaches. Each month after that adds 1 percent interest through July 1, when a 12 percent penalty plus attorneys' fees can be tacked on by the taxing unit. By year-end a delinquent account can carry 18 to 20 percent in penalties and interest on top of the original bill. ^[3]

Payment options through the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector:

• Online at https://www.dentoncounty.gov/tax (credit/debit card or e-check, fees may apply)
• In person at the Denton main office (1505 E McKinney) or the Lewisville branch (1400 FM 407, Suite 100)
• By mail (postmark by January 31 counts)
• Drop box at county offices

Installment options. Homeowners who qualify for the over-65 or disabled exemption can split the payment into four installments (February, April, June, August) with no penalty. ^[3] That's real relief for fixed-income seniors.

Escrow accounts. If you have a mortgage, your lender probably collects taxes monthly and pays for you. Verify it every year anyway. Escrow shortfalls show up often after a big appraisal jump, and a lender paying late is still your liability.

How do I look up my Lewisville property records and account information?

You need two portals, depending on what you want.

For your appraised value, ownership record, exemptions on file, and comparable property data, use DCAD's property search at https://www.dcad.org. Search by owner name, address, or account number. The record breaks out land and improvement value, shows exemptions applied, and lists prior year values. That's your starting point for any protest analysis.

For your tax bill, payment history, and current balance, use the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector portal at https://www.dentoncounty.gov/tax. You can pay there too.

If your Lewisville property crosses into Dallas County (some southern addresses do), you need DCAD for the Denton portion and the Dallas Central Appraisal District for the Dallas portion. Tax accounts are county-specific, so you'd get separate notices and separate bills for each county.

DCAD's GIS map is public too. It lets you pull up neighboring properties and their assessed values, which is handy for building an informal comp analysis before you protest.

What should I do if I think my Lewisville home is over-assessed right now?

Start with the DCAD property record for your home. Note the appraised value as of January 1 of the current year. Then pull five to ten nearby sales from the past six to twelve months, homes close in size, age, condition, and neighborhood. Public sales data comes from DCAD, the MLS (ask your agent), or Zillow's sold listings. If those sales cluster below your appraised value, you have a market value case.

Check the comparable properties DCAD uses on its own roll too. If neighbors with similar homes are appraised well below you, you may have an unequal appraisal claim on top of, or instead of, the market value claim. You can file both on the same notice.

File the protest before May 15 (or 30 days from your notice date). You can always withdraw if the evidence doesn't pan out. Filing preserves your right. Not filing waives it.

Want structured help building the evidence packet? TaxFightBack's DIY appeal kit is one way to organize your comps and ARB presentation without a contingency fee. The process itself is free and open to any owner under Texas law, no representation required.

Last thing: confirm every exemption you qualify for is on file with DCAD. A missing homestead exemption alone can cost thousands a year in taxes you didn't owe. DCAD's exemption lookup sits on the property detail page.

How does the Denton County tax protest success rate compare to other Texas counties?

Texas publishes no single official protest success rate by county, so exact figures are hard to pin down. The Texas Comptroller's 2023 Property Value Study and related data show that statewide, homeowners who filed protests in recent years won reductions on roughly 50 to 60 percent of residential protests, with average reductions swinging widely by county and property type. ^[8]

Denton County is high-growth, with over 1 million residents by recent census estimates, and DCAD processes tens of thousands of protests a year. In high-appreciation years (2021 and 2022 saw median Denton County home values jump over 30 percent), protest volume spikes and settlement rates can run higher, because DCAD appraisers know data lags pushed some values too far.

The practical read: real comparable sales evidence, or proof your neighbors are appraised lower, gives you a reasonable shot at a cut. Walking into an ARB hearing with nothing but frustration about your bill does not. Evidence wins. Homeowners who bring three to six well-documented comparable sales consistently beat those arguing market conditions off the cuff. ^[8]

Want to see how other systems handle the same disputes? Look at how Bexar County's tax assessor process works in San Antonio, or the Maricopa property tax appeal system in Arizona, which runs protest administration differently and gives you a sense of how Texas stacks up.

What are common mistakes Lewisville homeowners make with property taxes?

Missing the protest deadline is the priciest mistake. May 15 is firm. Notice a bad appraisal in July, after fall bills land? You have no recourse until the next tax year.

Filing for homestead exemption too late, or never, runs a close second. DCAD does not grant homestead status automatically when you move in. You have to file, and the exemption starts the tax year you qualify. The deadline is April 30. You can't retroactively grab homestead savings for a year you missed unless you file a late application within two years, and those get reviewed case by case. ^[3]

Confusing the Tax Assessor-Collector with the Appraisal District sends homeowners to the wrong office. Call Michelle French's office to fight your appraised value and they'll route you to DCAD. They cannot change the number.

Accepting an ARB result without knowing arbitration exists is another gap. If the ARB gives you nothing and your home is valued at $5 million or less, binding arbitration is usually faster and cheaper than district court. Plenty of homeowners never hear about it. ^[3]

And this one bites new buyers: not checking whether a recently purchased home still carries the previous owner's exemptions, or lacks your own. DCAD requires the new owner to file a fresh homestead application. The prior owner's exemption does not transfer to you.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector office in or near Lewisville?

The branch closest to Lewisville is at 1400 FM 407, Suite 100, Lewisville, TX 75077. This location handles property tax payments, vehicle registration, and general tax account inquiries. The main office is at 1505 E McKinney St, Denton, TX 76209. Confirm current hours at the Denton County government website before visiting, as holiday schedules change.

Who is the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector?

Michelle French has served as the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector. Her office collects property taxes, processes payments, handles vehicle registration, and issues tax certificates. She does not set property values. Those are set by the Denton Central Appraisal District (DCAD), a separate agency. Verify the current officeholder at dentoncounty.gov.

How do I find my Lewisville property's appraised value in Denton County?

Go to https://www.dcad.org and use the property search by address, owner name, or account number. The result shows your appraised value as of January 1, the land and improvement breakdown, any exemptions on file, and prior year values. This is the number your tax bill is calculated from, not the Tax Assessor-Collector's website.

What is the homestead exemption for Lewisville homeowners in Denton County?

Texas law requires school districts to provide a $100,000 homestead exemption from appraised value starting with the 2023 tax year under House Bill 3 (88th Legislature). LISD applies it to Lewisville homeowners with an approved homestead exemption on file with DCAD. Denton County and the City of Lewisville may offer additional percentage-based exemptions on their tax portions. File at DCAD by April 30.

What is the property tax protest deadline for Denton County in 2025?

May 15, 2025, or 30 days after DCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. If your notice is dated after April 15, your deadline is 30 days from that date, not May 15. File your protest at https://www.dcad.org. Missing this deadline means you cannot challenge the 2025 appraisal through a formal ARB hearing.

Can I protest my Denton County property tax assessment without hiring a firm?

Yes. Texas law gives every property owner the right to file a protest without an agent or attorney. File online at DCAD's portal, gather comparable sales data from public records, and attend an informal settlement meeting or ARB hearing. Contingency firms typically take 30 to 50 percent of first-year savings. A DIY protest costs nothing except your time and keeps 100 percent of any reduction.

What happens if I miss the Texas property tax payment deadline?

Taxes paid after January 31 accrue a 6 percent penalty immediately, plus 1 percent interest per month from February through June. On July 1, an additional 12 percent penalty and attorneys' fees may apply under Texas Tax Code Chapter 33. By year-end, total penalties and interest on a delinquent bill typically reach 18 to 20 percent or more on top of the original amount. Always pay by January 31.

Does Lewisville have a separate property tax office from Denton County?

No. The City of Lewisville does not run its own property tax collection office. The Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector's office collects city taxes on behalf of the City of Lewisville, along with county, school district, and other taxing unit bills, all consolidated into a single annual tax bill managed through Denton County.

What is an unequal appraisal protest and can Lewisville homeowners use it?

Unequal appraisal means your property is taxed at a higher ratio of value than comparable properties in DCAD's own records, even if the absolute value is arguably correct. Texas Tax Code Section 41.43 gives you the right to protest on this ground. If similar Lewisville homes nearby are appraised lower per square foot, you can demand the same appraisal ratio, and the ARB must consider it.

What is the over-65 tax freeze for Denton County property taxes?

Homeowners 65 or older with an approved homestead exemption on file at DCAD receive a school tax ceiling. The dollar amount they pay to LISD cannot rise above the year the freeze was set, regardless of climbing values or rates. The freeze also applies to disabled persons. It transfers to a new Texas homestead if you move. Apply at DCAD with proof of age.

How do I apply for a disabled veteran property tax exemption in Denton County?

File Form 11-22 (Exemption Application for Disabled Veterans) with DCAD along with your VA disability rating letter. Exemptions run from $5,000 (a 10 to 29 percent rating) to a full exemption of the entire appraised value for 100 percent disabled veterans. Surviving spouses may also qualify. There's no annual renewal for a permanent disability rating. Download the form at https://www.dcad.org.

Can I request binding arbitration if the Denton County ARB rules against me?

Yes. If the ARB denies your protest and your property's appraised value is $5 million or less, you can request binding arbitration under Texas Tax Code Section 41A.01. You pay a deposit of $500 to $1,500 depending on property value, refunded if the arbitrator rules in your favor. This route is usually faster and cheaper than district court litigation.

What is the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector's phone number?

The main Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector's office number is 940-349-3500. The Lewisville branch at 1400 FM 407 runs through the same office system. For appraisal questions, call DCAD directly at 940-349-3800. Confirm current numbers at dentoncounty.gov, as branch assignments and direct lines change periodically.

How do I get a property tax certificate or tax receipt for a Lewisville property?

Tax certificates and receipts come from the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector, not DCAD. Request a certificate online at https://www.dentoncounty.gov/tax or in person at the Denton main office or the Lewisville branch. Tax certificates are commonly required for real estate closings and cost a small fee (typically about $10 per certificate; confirm the current fee at the office).

Sources

1. Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector, official county tax office page: Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector office locations, adopted tax rates, and payment methods for Lewisville and other county properties
2. Texas Tax Code, Texas Constitution, and Property Tax Code (Texas Legislature Online): Texas Tax Code provisions governing protest deadlines (May 15 or 30 days from notice), ARB procedures, exemption deadlines (April 30), unequal appraisal grounds (Section 41.43), over-65 tax ceiling, installment payment rights, and binding arbitration (Section 41A.01)
3. Lewisville Independent School District, 2024-25 adopted budget: LISD 2024 adopted maintenance-and-operations tax rate of $0.9046 per $100 of taxable value
4. City of Lewisville, Texas, official finance and tax information: City of Lewisville 2024 adopted property tax rate of $0.408459 per $100 of taxable value
5. Texas Legislature, House Bill 3, 88th Legislative Session (2023): HB 3 (2023) increased the mandatory school district homestead exemption to $100,000 from the 2023 tax year forward
6. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans: Texas Tax Code Section 11.22 provides disabled veteran exemptions from $5,000 (10-29% VA rating) up to 100% of appraised value for 100% disabled veterans
7. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division, 2023 Property Value Study: Statewide data on appraisal ratios, unequal appraisal methodology, and protest outcomes; homeowners with evidence consistently receive reductions in ARB proceedings
8. Denton County, Texas, official county homepage: Denton County administrative information including Tax Assessor-Collector office details and branch locations
9. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Truth in Taxation requirements: Taxing units must publish proposed rates and hold public hearings before adopting; certified roll delivered to units by late July under Tax Code Section 26.01