Harris County, TX Property Tax Appeal Guide (2026)

Want to lower your property taxes in Harris County? Use Abode Money to lower property taxes in just a few steps.

Follow this proven step-by-step process to successfully challenge your Harris County property appraisal and potentially save thousands on your property tax bill. Abode Money does the work for you.

May 15

Filing Deadline*

FREE

Filing Fee

Notice

Form Required

*Or 30 days after receiving your notice, whichever is later

Important Timeline

Your appraisal notice is mailed in April. You have until May 15th or 30 days after receiving your notice (whichever is later) to file your protest with HCAD.

3 Steps to File Your Protest

Follow this proven process to successfully challenge your Harris County property appraisal and maximize your chances of a successful reduction.

1

Gather Your Evidence

Collect comprehensive documentation that proves your property is overvalued compared to similar properties in your area.

2

File Your Protest

Complete the Notice of Protest form and submit it online or by mail to Harris County Appraisal District before the deadline.

3

Attend Your Hearing

Present your case to the Appraisal Review Board at your scheduled hearing (hearings typically run from May through September).

Complete Filing Guide

Follow these detailed steps to successfully file your property tax protest with Harris County. Each step includes specific requirements and deadlines you must meet.

1

Gather Your Evidence

Our Competitive Market Analysis will provide a strong foundation for your protest, but you can supplement it for an even stronger case with:

Evidence Checklist:

Your Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) will be emailed to you after your appraisal notice is released in April
Professional appraisal if available (must be current within 12 months)
High-quality photos showing property damage, wear, or condition issues
Recent comparable sales in your neighborhood (within 6-12 months)
Documentation of factors that reduce property value (structural problems, flooding risk, etc.)

Pro Tip

Harris County has one of the most complex appraisal systems in Texas. Our Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) accounts for neighborhood variations and provides the comparable sales evidence that makes the difference in ARB hearings.

2

File Your Protest

Complete your Notice of Protest form and submit it online or by mail to Harris County Appraisal District before the deadline.

Critical Deadline Warning

Missing the May 15th deadline (or 30 days after receiving your notice) means you cannot protest your appraisal this year. No extensions are granted, so submit as early as possible.

Filing Requirements:

Complete the Notice of Protest form with accurate property information and your opinion of value
Submit online at iFile.hcad.org (recommended) or mail to HCAD
Select your reason for protest (typically "unequal appraisal" or "value too high")
Keep copies of your confirmation number for your records
No filing fee required
Get Filing Instructions
3

Attend Your Hearing

Present your case to the Appraisal Review Board during the hearing period from May through September.

Hearing Process

After filing, you'll receive a hearing notice by mail. Hearings are typically held at the Harris County Appraisal District offices. You can choose between informal hearings with an appraiser or formal ARB hearings with board members.

Hearing Preparation:

Present your evidence clearly and concisely (usually 15-20 minutes)
Be prepared to answer questions about your property and comparable sales
Bring multiple copies of all documentation for the board members
Stay respectful and factual in your presentation
Consider requesting an informal hearing first for faster resolution

Hearing Best Practices

Practice explaining your case beforehand. Focus on your strongest comparable sales and be ready to explain why your property's appraised value exceeds its market value. ARB members want factual evidence, not emotional arguments.

4

Receive Your Decision

The Appraisal Review Board will mail their decision after your hearing concludes.

What to Expect:

Informal hearing decisions can be immediate or within days
Formal ARB hearing decisions are typically mailed within 1-2 weeks
If successful, your appraised value will be reduced and reflected on your tax bill
Reductions apply to the current tax year and can result in significant savings
If denied, you have the right to pursue binding arbitration or district court appeal
Arbitration must be requested within 45 days of the ARB decision

Success Timeline

Successful protests typically see the reduction reflected on the fall property tax bill. Keep all documentation for future reference and annual protests.

Success Stories from Harris County Homeowners

Over 50,000 homeowners nationwide trust Abode to help them save on property taxes.

"Reduced my appraisal by $75,000. The comparable sales were exactly what ARB needed to see."

— James, Katy

"First time protesting. Saved over $2,200 on my taxes with the informal hearing."

— Maria, Spring

"The process was straightforward. ARB reduced my value by 12% after seeing the evidence."

— David, The Woodlands

Harris County Quick Facts

Filing Method

Online or Mail-In Filing

Filing Fee

FREE - No Cost to File

Deadline

May 15th or 30 Days

Form Required

Notice of Protest

Appraisal Notice

Mailed in April

Hearing Format

Informal or Formal ARB

Need More Information?

For complete Texas property tax information including rates, exemptions, and appeal processes for other counties, visit our Texas property tax guide. Abode Money is the best property tax appeal service in Texas.

Don't Miss Your Chance to Save

With the May 15th deadline approaching, now is the time to act. File your protest today or get professional help to maximize your chances of success.

Texas Property Tax Insights

More tax trends

See your county tax data

Understand your county's tax rate, property tax filing guidelines and more.

See your county tax data
Get a free savings estimate