Houston & Gulf Coast
How to protest your property taxes in Harris County
Your Harris County property value is set by the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD). 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 Harris 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 HCAD
File online with iFile on the HCAD Property Owners' Portal. iSettle lets you review and respond to an HCAD settlement offer online.
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.
Harris County tips
- HCAD property records include the building sketch, square footage, year built, and neighbors' values — useful for an unequal-appraisal argument.
- Sign up for the HCAD Property Owners' Portal before notices arrive so you can file the day yours comes.
- If HCAD makes an iSettle offer, compare it with your own comparable-sales value before accepting.
Step 4: The informal conference
After you file, HCAD 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: Harris Central Appraisal District · HCAD iFile and iSettle · Texas Comptroller — property tax protests. Last reviewed October 2026.