Central Texas
How to protest your property taxes in Travis County
Your Travis County property value is set by the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD). 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 Travis 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 TCAD
File with TCAD E-File. Then use the TCAD owner portal to upload evidence and review TCAD's own evidence packet.
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.
Travis County tips
- Review TCAD's evidence packet in the owner portal before your informal meeting so you know which comps they're using.
- Accepted evidence includes comparable sales, condition photos, contractor estimates, and appraisals, uploaded online, by mail, or in person at 850 East Anderson Lane.
- For a formal ARB hearing, bring 5 printed sets of your evidence.
Step 4: The informal conference
After you file, TCAD 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: Travis Central Appraisal District · TCAD E-File · Texas Comptroller — property tax protests. Last reviewed October 2026.