Houston & Gulf Coast
How to protest your property taxes in Galveston County
Your Galveston County property value is set by the Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD). If your appraisal notice says your home is worth more than it would sell for — or more than similar homes on your street — you can protest it. Here's exactly how it works in Galveston County.
Filing deadline
May 15, or 30 days after your notice is delivered — whichever is later
Where to file
Look up your property
Step 1: Check your appraisal notice
Appraisal districts across Texas mail notices of appraised value in the spring, usually April. Compare the market value on your notice with recent sales of similar homes nearby. If the district's number is higher, you have grounds to protest. You can also protest if your home is appraised higher than comparable homes on your street (an unequal appraisal protest).
Step 2: File your protest with GCAD
File online through the GCAD Taxpayer Portal, where you can also upload evidence. Mail and in-person filing are accepted too.
The statewide deadline is May 15, or 30 days after your notice was delivered if that's later (Texas Comptroller). Miss it and you generally wait until next year.
Step 3: Gather your evidence
The strongest evidence is recent sales of homes like yours: similar size, age, and condition, close by, and sold near January 1 of the tax year. Add photos of anything that lowers your value (foundation issues, an old roof, needed repairs) and contractor estimates if you have them.
Galveston County tips
- Look up your property on galvestoncad.org by address or account number — the record shows building square footage, year built, land data, and assessed value.
- GCAD schedules an informal conference after you file. Bring (or upload) your comparable sales then — most cases are decided here.
- Evidence can be submitted through the portal, in person, or by mail.
Step 4: The informal conference
After you file, GCAD typically offers an informal meeting with an appraiser. Present your comparable sales and any condition evidence. Most protests are settled here. If the offer is fair, you can accept it and you're done.
Step 5: The ARB hearing (if you don't settle)
If you don't settle, the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) holds a formal hearing and must give you at least 15 days' notice. You can attend in person, by phone, or by video, or submit a written affidavit instead. The board weighs your evidence against the district's and issues a decision.
Nearby county guides
Sources: Galveston Central Appraisal District · GCAD Taxpayer Portal · Texas Comptroller — property tax protests. Last reviewed October 2026.