Texas Property Tax Protest Calculator
Find out how much you could save, get a pre-filled protest letter, and never miss the deadline.
Estimate Your Savings
Enter your property details to see what a successful protest could save you.
ARB Hearing Prep Checklist
Bring these to your Appraisal Review Board hearing. Check each item as you gather it.
Want help with the protest process?
LRG agents can connect you with property tax protest specialists or help you find a home in a lower-tax district.
Educational Notice: The Levi Rodgers Group provides real estate transaction services, not legal or tax advice. The information below is for general educational purposes. Please consult a licensed Texas estate planning attorney or CPA regarding property deeds, probate, or taxes.
Texas homeowners protest their property taxes at one of the highest rates in the country, and most win. In Bexar County 85% of protests result in a reduction averaging 6% off assessed value. In Travis County the success rate is 89%. The catch: only 21% to 46% of homeowners actually file. The tool above calculates your potential savings, generates a protest letter formatted for your county’s Appraisal Review Board, and gives you a hearing prep checklist. File before May 15 or within 30 days of receiving your appraisal notice, whichever is later.
The Property Tax Protest Process in Texas
Every Texas county appraisal district reassesses property values annually. When you receive your appraisal notice (typically in April), you have until May 15 or 30 days after the notice date to file a protest. You do not need a lawyer. You do not need a tax consultant. You need comparable sales data and a willingness to show up.
The process has three stages: filing the protest (the letter above handles this), an informal hearing with an appraiser (where most reductions happen), and a formal Appraisal Review Board hearing if the informal does not resolve it. About 70% of cases settle at the informal stage.
The county cannot raise your taxes because you protested. There is no downside. Your assessed value either stays the same or goes down.
Protest Success Rates by County
| County | Effective Tax Rate | Success Rate | Avg Reduction | % Who Protest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bexar (San Antonio) | 2.25% | 85% | 6.0% | 21% |
| Travis (Austin) | 2.00% | 89% | 9.0% | 46% |
| Williamson (Round Rock) | 1.87% | 82% | 7.0% | 35% |
| Hays (Kyle / San Marcos) | 2.05% | 80% | 6.5% | 28% |
| Comal (New Braunfels) | 1.70% | 78% | 5.5% | 22% |
| Bell (Killeen / Temple) | 2.10% | 75% | 5.0% | 18% |
| Guadalupe (Seguin / Schertz) | 2.15% | 77% | 5.5% | 20% |
Sources: County appraisal district data, Ownwell 2023-2025 protest analysis, Resolute Property Tax Solutions. Success rates reflect homeowners who formally protested. Rates vary by property type and value.
Five Things That Win Property Tax Protests
1. Comparable sales within 6 months and 1 mile. The strongest evidence is 3 to 5 recent sales of homes similar to yours that sold below your assessed value. Pull these from Zillow, Redfin, or the county’s own sales records. The closer in distance and time, the stronger the comp.
2. Photos of condition issues. Foundation cracks, aging roof, water damage, outdated systems. The appraisal district assessed your home at a “standard” condition. If your property has deferred maintenance, photos shift the conversation from opinion to documentation.
3. The unequal appraisal argument. Texas Tax Code Section 41.43(b)(3) lets you argue that similar properties in your area are assessed at a lower value per square foot. If your neighbor’s comparable home is assessed $30,000 lower, that is evidence.
4. Show up to the informal hearing. About 70% of protests settle at the informal stage before the ARB hearing. Appraisers have authority to negotiate. Being present, prepared, and reasonable resolves most cases in 15 to 20 minutes.
5. File every year. Even if your value did not change, the market may have. Properties that protest consistently average lower assessments over time than those that never protest. The $0 cost of filing makes this an annual no-brainer.
Property Tax Protest FAQs
Can the county raise my taxes if I protest?
What is the deadline to file?
Do I need a lawyer or tax consultant?
What evidence should I bring?
How long does the protest take?
What if I bought my house recently?
Can I protest every year?
County Appraisal District Links
Sources
- Bexar County Appraisal District — file protest online, property search, exemption forms
- Travis Central Appraisal District — iFile online protest, property search
- Williamson Central Appraisal District — online protest, property records
- Hays Central Appraisal District — property search, protest filing
- Comal Appraisal District — property records, exemptions
- Bell Central Appraisal District — property search, protest filing
- Guadalupe Appraisal District — property records
- Texas Tax Code Chapter 41 — the law governing property tax protests
- Ownwell — protest vs non-protest analysis, county success rates
Legal & Tax Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal, tax, or financial advice. The Levi Rodgers Group and its agents are licensed real estate professionals, not licensed attorneys or certified public accountants.
Real estate laws, estate planning instruments (including Lady Bird Deeds and Transfer on Death Deeds), Medicaid estate recovery rules, and property tax regulations are complex, subject to change, and dependent on individual financial circumstances.
Reading this content does not establish an attorney-client or advisory relationship. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included on this site without seeking independent professional counsel. Always consult with a qualified, licensed Texas estate planning attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation before executing property deeds or making estate decisions.
