Texas Property Tax Appeal Deadline 2026: Key Dates and How to File
TL;DR
The Texas property tax appeal deadline for 2026 is May 15, 2026. File Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) with your county appraisal district. If your notice of appraised value was mailed after April 15, you get 30 days from the mail date instead. The valuation date is January 1, 2026, and notices are typically available April 1 - May 1, 2026. Do not miss this deadline, as late filings are generally not accepted.
Missing your property tax appeal deadline means paying whatever the assessor decided you owe for the entire year. In Texas, where the average effective rate is 1.60% and the typical homeowner pays $5,600 annually on a $350,000 home, that can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes.
Here are all the dates you need to know for 2026.
2026 Texas Property Tax Appeal Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Valuation date | January 1, 2026 |
| Assessment notices available | April 1 - May 1, 2026 |
| Appeal filing deadline | May 15, 2026 |
How to File Your Appeal Before the Deadline
Step 1: Review Your Assessment
As soon as you receive your assessment notice or it becomes available online, review it carefully. Check the property details (square footage, lot size, bedrooms, bathrooms, condition) and the assessed value. Compare your value to recent sales of similar homes in your area.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Before the deadline, collect:
- Comparable sales: 3-5 similar homes that sold for less than your assessed value near the valuation date (January 1, 2026)
- Property condition documentation: Photos, repair estimates, and notes on anything that reduces your value
- Equity comparisons: Similar properties in your area that are assessed lower than yours
- An independent appraisal if available
Step 3: File Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest)
Submit your appeal to the county appraisal district before the deadline. In most Texas counties, you can file by mail, in person, or online. Include your evidence or a summary of why you believe your assessment is too high.
Step 4: Attend Your Hearing
Informal review: Informal hearing with a CAD appraiser, typically scheduled 2-6 weeks after filing.
Formal hearing: Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing if informal does not resolve.
Step 5: Further Appeals
If the initial appeal does not produce a satisfactory result, you can escalate to Binding arbitration ($550) or district court. Each level has its own deadline, so act quickly.
County-Specific Deadlines and Notes
Harris County (Houston)
Online filing through iFile. iSettle system for online informal hearings. Largest CAD in Texas.
Dallas County
Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD). Online filing available. Aggressive value increases in recent years.
Tarrant County (Fort Worth)
Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD). Online filing and evidence submission.
Travis County (Austin)
Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD). Austin market cooled from 2022 peaks.
Bexar County (San Antonio)
Bexar Appraisal District. Online protest filing available.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
In most cases, missing the appeal deadline means you cannot challenge your assessment for that tax year. You will have to wait until next year. There are limited exceptions for late filings in some jurisdictions, but do not count on them. Mark the deadline on your calendar now.
How PropertyTaxFight Can Help You Meet the Deadline
The biggest reason people miss the deadline is not procrastination. It is the time it takes to gather comparable sales, organize evidence, and figure out the filing process. PropertyTaxFight does all of this for you in minutes for $79. You get a complete evidence packet with comparable sales, equity analysis, and step-by-step filing instructions specific to your county. No research, no guesswork.
For a complete walkthrough of the Texas appeal process, see our Texas property tax appeal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Texas property tax appeal deadline for 2026?
The deadline is May 15, 2026. If your notice of appraised value was mailed after April 15, you get 30 days from the mail date instead.
Can I file a late property tax appeal in Texas?
Generally, no. Texas has strict appeal deadlines. Some jurisdictions allow late filings in very limited circumstances (such as failure to receive a required notice), but this is not guaranteed. File on time.
What form do I need to file?
You need to file Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) with your county appraisal district. Most county assessor websites have the form available for download.
How long does the appeal process take after filing?
The initial hearing is typically scheduled within 1-3 months of filing. The entire process from filing to resolution usually takes 2-6 months, depending on the county and the level of appeal.
Is there a fee to file a property tax appeal in Texas?
The initial filing is free in most jurisdictions. Fees may apply at higher levels of appeal (such as court filings).
Do Not Wait
The deadline is May 15, 2026. Start gathering your evidence now. Use PropertyTaxFight to build your case and file a strong appeal before the deadline passes.