When Do Property Tax Bills Come Out in Texas? Key Dates and Deadlines
TL;DR
Texas property tax assessment notices (Notice of Appraised Value) arrive in April. Your protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice date, whichever is later. Tax bills go out in October and are due January 31. Texas has one of the most active protest systems in the country, with nearly 2 million protests filed each year. About half of homeowners who protest get a reduction. If your appraisal jumped, file your protest before the May deadline.
Texas Property Tax Calendar
| When | What Happens | Your Action |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Assessment date (values based on market as of this date) | Homestead exemption qualification date |
| April 15 - May 1 | Notice of Appraised Value mailed | Review immediately |
| April 30 | Homestead exemption application deadline | Apply if you have not already |
| May 15 (or 30 days after notice) | Protest deadline | File protest with appraisal district |
| May - August | Informal and ARB hearings | Present your evidence |
| October | Tax bills mailed by county tax assessor-collector | Review the bill |
| January 31 | Payment deadline | Pay in full (penalties begin February 1) |
When Assessment Notices Arrive
Texas county appraisal districts mail the Notice of Appraised Value in April. The exact date varies by county, but most homeowners receive their notice between April 15 and May 1.
The notice shows:
- Your property's appraised value (what the appraisal district thinks it is worth)
- Your assessed value (after any caps are applied)
- Your homestead exemption status
- The previous year's value for comparison
- Instructions for filing a protest
Texas appraises all property at 100% of market value. The number on your notice should reflect what your home would sell for as of January 1 of the current year.
The Protest Deadline: May 15 or 30 Days After Notice
Your protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed the notice, whichever is later. For most homeowners, the effective deadline is May 15 since notices go out in April.
If your notice was mailed after April 15, you may have until mid-June. Check the mailing date printed on your notice.
How to File a Protest in Texas
- File online through your county appraisal district's website (most districts offer online filing)
- File by mail using the protest form included with your notice
- File in person at the appraisal district office
When filing, check "Value is over market value" as your reason for protest. You can also check "Unequal appraisal" if similar homes are appraised at lower values.
The Protest Process in Texas
Step 1: Informal Hearing
After filing, you will be scheduled for an informal hearing with an appraiser from the district. This is a one-on-one meeting (or phone call) where you present your comparable sales and other evidence. About 60% of protests are resolved at this stage.
Bring:
- 3-5 comparable sales within your neighborhood
- Photos of any condition issues
- Repair estimates if applicable
- Your property record from the appraisal district website
Step 2: ARB Hearing
If the informal hearing does not resolve your case, you proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel that hears evidence from both you and the appraisal district, then makes a binding decision.
ARB hearings are scheduled from May through August, depending on the county's volume. Harris County (Houston) may not schedule hearings until July or August due to the volume of protests.
Step 3: Further Appeals
If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can pursue binding arbitration (for properties under $5 million) or appeal to district court.
When Tax Bills Arrive
Texas property tax bills are mailed by county tax assessor-collectors in October. The bill reflects the final appraised value (after any protests) multiplied by the combined tax rate from all taxing entities (county, city, school district, special districts).
Payment is due by January 31. After that:
| Month | Penalty + Interest |
|---|---|
| February | 7% |
| March | 9% |
| April | 11% |
| May | 13% |
| June | 15% |
| July and later | 18% plus additional monthly interest |
Texas penalties are steep. Pay on time.
Texas Homestead Exemption
The Texas homestead exemption is one of the most valuable in the country. For school district taxes, it removes $100,000 from your appraised value. Many counties and cities offer additional homestead exemptions.
To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1. The application deadline is April 30, but you can file a late application up to two years after the deadline.
If you own a home in Texas and have not filed for the homestead exemption, apply immediately. It is free and saves hundreds to thousands of dollars per year.
Texas Property Tax Cap (10%)
For homesteaded properties, Texas limits annual appraisal increases to 10% (recently reduced from 10% for homesteads in some proposals, check current law). This cap applies to the appraised value, not the market value. If your home's market value jumps 25%, the capped appraisal can only increase by 10%.
However, the cap resets when the property changes hands. If you recently purchased a home, your first appraisal will reflect full market value, which can be a shock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I just bought my home and the appraisal is higher than my purchase price?
Your purchase price is strong evidence in a protest. Bring your closing documents showing the sale price. If the sale was arms-length and recent, the appraisal district should adjust.
Do I need to hire a property tax consultant?
No. You can protest on your own. Many Texas homeowners file and present their own protests successfully. If you want help, consultants typically work on contingency (25-50% of the first year's savings). Our evidence packet builder ($79) is a lower-cost alternative that gives you the data you need.
Can my appraisal go up if I protest?
No. Texas law prohibits the ARB from raising your value as a result of your protest.
How much can I save?
The average successful Texas protest reduces the appraised value by about 10%. On a $400,000 home with a 2.2% effective tax rate, that is $880 per year.
Texas Homeowners: Your Protest Window Is Short
Notices arrive in April. Protests are due by May 15. PropertyTaxFight builds your protest evidence packet with comparable sales and assessment analysis. $79 one-time. Get your evidence packet now and be ready when the notice arrives.