Travis County homeowners have the legal right to challenge their TCAD appraisal every single year — and the data shows it is worth doing. Cribfolio can help you organize the records and evidence you need, but the protest itself follows a clear, free, DIY-friendly process. Here is exactly how to do it, from the moment your Notice of Appraised Value arrives to the day the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) issues its ruling.
Is a Travis County property tax protest worth it?
Yes — the numbers strongly favor homeowners who file. In 2024, 87% of informal protests and 89% of formal ARB protests filed in Travis County were successful, with ARB protests alone saving homeowners $221 million and informal protests saving an additional $20 million.
In 2024, nearly 187,000 property tax protests were filed in Travis County — a remarkable 39% of all parcels, the highest protest rate of any major Texas county. Yet many homeowners still sit it out. Only 46% of Travis County properties protested in 2025, and of those who did protest, 89% achieved a reduction averaging 9.0% off assessed value.
Austin's real estate market experienced one of the sharpest corrections in Texas in recent years, yet TCAD assessed values haven't always kept pace with the downturn — meaning many homeowners are still paying taxes on inflated numbers from the pandemic-era surge. That gap is exactly the opening a well-prepared protest exploits.
What is the Travis County property tax appeal deadline?
The hard deadline is May 15, or 30 days after TCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value — whichever is later. For most owners the deadline to file with TCAD is May 15, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later, and missing it generally means losing your right to protest for that year.
By April 15, or shortly thereafter, Travis County property owners typically receive their Notice of Appraised Value, which details the county's assessed value of their property and triggers the window to file a protest.
Filing early also gives you more time to prepare evidence and schedule an informal meeting before the busiest part of the season. Mark the date on your calendar the day the notice arrives.
Before you protest: make sure your exemptions are applied
Check your exemptions first — a missing exemption can cost more than an overvalued assessment. "In 2025, having a homestead exemption saved the average Travis County property owner $3,663 on their property tax bill," said TCAD Chief Appraiser Leana Mann.
Key exemptions available in Travis County:
- General Homestead Exemption: The school district homestead exemption is worth $140,000 off your taxable value for the 2026 tax year, increased from $100,000 following voter approval of Proposition 13 in November 2025.
- Over-65 / Disability Exemption: Homeowners who are 65 or older or who have a qualifying disability receive an additional $60,000 exemption, bringing the combined total to $200,000 off taxable value for school taxes. Seniors also receive a tax ceiling that prevents their school district taxes from increasing as long as they own the home.
- Disabled Veteran Exemptions: Partial to full exemptions are available depending on the disability rating.
- Optional local exemptions: The savings vary depending on which taxing units apply to your address, which is why two neighbors can both claim exemptions and still see different numbers on their bills.
You do not automatically receive the general homestead exemption — you must apply for any qualified exemptions. Contact TCAD's Exemption Helpline at (512) 873-1560 or apply online at traviscad.org if you haven't done so already.
Tax note: Exemptions and protest outcomes can affect your overall tax situation in ways that vary by household. Cribfolio helps you track records and flag considerations — but for advice on how your property taxes affect your personal tax return, please consult a licensed CPA or tax professional.
What are the grounds for a Travis County property tax protest?
You can protest on more than one basis — and selecting the right grounds strengthens your case. Property owners in Travis County can protest overvaluation, unequal appraisal, incorrect property characteristics, and other assessment issues.
- Market value too high: You believe TCAD's appraised value exceeds what your home would actually sell for as of January 1.
- Unequal appraisal: Your home is assessed at a higher ratio of market value than comparable properties nearby — this is a powerful, data-driven argument.
- Incorrect property data: Square footage, bedroom count, lot size, or condition is wrong in TCAD's records.
When filing, select "market value is too high" and/or "unequal appraisal" as your protest grounds — you can check both boxes and decide later which argument the evidence best supports.
What evidence do I need to win a Travis County property tax protest?
Strong evidence is the difference between a rubber-stamp rejection and a real reduction. Gather these before you file:
- Comparable sales ("comps"): Recent closed sales of similar homes in your neighborhood with lower price-per-square-foot figures. Pull these from HAR, Zillow, Redfin, or TCAD's own public data.
- Repair estimates or inspection reports: Roof damage, foundation issues, HVAC problems, or deferred maintenance that TCAD's drive-by appraisal would not capture.
- Licensed independent appraisal: The most authoritative evidence, though typically costs $300–$600 and makes the most sense for higher-value homes.
- Photos: Document any visible defects, drainage problems, or condition issues.
- TCAD's own evidence packet: TCAD will make their evidence packet available through the portal approximately three days after filing — review it immediately to see the comps they used and identify weaknesses.
This is exactly where organized home records pay off. Keeping your square footage, renovation history, appliance ages, and maintenance receipts in one place — like the home profile in Cribfolio — means you can pull accurate data quickly instead of hunting through folders during protest season.
How do I file a Travis County property tax protest? (Step-by-step)
Filing is free, and the process has three phases: filing, informal review, and (if needed) a formal ARB hearing.
Step 1 — File your Notice of Protest
File online through TCAD's e-file portal at traviscad.org, by mail to PO Box 149012, Austin TX 78714, or in person at 850 E Anderson Lane. The online system allows you to file your protest, upload supporting evidence, review TCAD's evidence packet, schedule informal meetings, and even attend hearings virtually; approximately 72% of Travis County protests are now filed electronically.
Step 2 — Attend the informal review
After filing, you are eligible for an informal settlement discussion by phone or videoconference with a TCAD appraiser. Many cases settle here without ever going to the ARB. Come prepared with your comps and photos — appraisers can and do adjust values on the spot when the evidence is compelling.
Step 3 — Attend the ARB hearing (if needed)
If the informal review doesn't produce an acceptable offer, your case moves to a formal Appraisal Review Board hearing. An ARB hearing in Travis County is a formal proceeding where you present evidence to an independent panel of board members who decide whether TCAD's appraisal should be reduced; hearings are conducted at the TCAD office at 850 E Anderson Lane and typically last 10–20 minutes.
You can attend in person, by phone, via videoconference, or submit evidence through a written affidavit. Keep your presentation focused: state your opinion of value, show your best two or three comps, and reference any condition issues. Let the numbers do the talking.
One Travis County quirk worth noting: Travis County resolves relatively few cases informally compared to other major Texas counties, with the majority advancing to formal ARB hearings. Budget time for the full process.
Step 4 — If you still disagree after the ARB
The ARB ruling is not necessarily the end of the road. Binding arbitration is often the most accessible post-ARB option for homeowners, and you must file within 60 days of receiving your ARB order. The State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) is also available for properties appraised at more than $1 million in Travis County, where a state administrative law judge — not a local panel — hears the case. For either path, consult a licensed property tax attorney or consultant before proceeding.
Should I hire a property tax consultant or DIY?
Both approaches can work — the choice comes down to your home's value, your available time, and your comfort with the process. Here is a quick comparison:
- DIY: Free to file. Best for straightforward cases where public comps clearly support a lower value. Requires two to four hours of evidence prep and potentially a half-day for a hearing.
- Consultant / protest firm: Typically charges a contingency fee of 25–40% of your first year's tax savings (varies by firm), with no fee if there is no reduction. Useful for complex cases, investment properties, or if you simply don't have the time.
- Property tax attorney: Appropriate for high-value properties, commercial real estate, or post-ARB appeals. Fees vary widely.
For investment properties, rental properties, and commercial real estate with no homestead cap, the exposure is significantly greater — protesting your assessed value annually is the only mechanism available to push back against rising assessments.
How do I keep track of everything related to my property taxes?
Good records win protests — and most homeowners lose track of the documents that matter most. Cribfolio is designed to solve exactly this problem. In your home's profile you can store:
- Your TCAD Notice of Appraised Value each year (so you can spot year-over-year jumps instantly)
- Receipts and permits for renovations — useful both for protest evidence and for tracking what upgrades you've made
- Inspection reports, repair estimates, and contractor invoices that document your home's condition
- Appliance ages, warranty documents, and insurance policy files
- Your home's estimated value and the Cribfolio Home Grade (an A–F whole-house score), so you can see at a glance how your property stacks up
When protest season arrives, you already have your evidence organized. Cribfolio also surfaces upgrade-payback estimates — helping you understand which improvements may influence your home's value over time, though results vary by home and market and nothing is guaranteed.
If you own a rental or investment property in Austin, accurate records matter even more. In 2024, $800.24 million in taxes came back to Travis County residents through tax protests, with 69.73% of those savings going to commercial properties, multifamily homes, and other non-primary-residence real estate. Landlords and investors who stay organized and protest annually tend to capture a disproportionate share of those savings.
What if I missed the Travis County protest deadline?
Missing the deadline is serious, but you are not entirely without options. Immediate action and informed strategies can still create opportunities to address overvalued assessments or overlooked exemptions, and even after a missed deadline property owners can take steps to manage a Travis County property tax appeal. You may be able to file a late protest under a narrow set of qualifying circumstances — contact TCAD directly to ask. Your best move, though, is to calendar the May 15 date right now for next year and file early.
Travis County property tax appeal: quick-reference checklist
- ☐ Confirm your homestead (and any other) exemptions are on file with TCAD
- ☐ Review your Notice of Appraised Value the day it arrives (typically by mid-April)
- ☐ Note your personal deadline: May 15 or 30 days from notice date, whichever is later
- ☐ Pull 3–5 comparable sales of similar homes at lower values from TCAD's public data or real estate sites
- ☐ Document any property condition issues with photos and repair estimates
- ☐ File your protest online at traviscad.org (free)
- ☐ Review TCAD's evidence packet (available ~3 days after filing)
- ☐ Attend informal review — many cases settle here
- ☐ Attend ARB hearing if informal review doesn't resolve it
- ☐ Save the ARB Final Order — you have 60 days to pursue binding arbitration if needed
- ☐ Store all documents in Cribfolio for next year's protest
See your home's estimated value, Cribfolio Home Grade, and which upgrades may affect what you own — free, at cribfolio.com. Then come back organized when April rolls around.