Collin County Property Tax Protest, Texas

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Collin County is located in the northern Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with McKinney as the county seat. Major cities include Plano (the largest city with approximately 287,600 residents), Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, and Celina. With a 2025 population of approximately 1.3 million, Collin County is Texas's sixth-most populous county and one of the fastest-growing in the nation. Property tax protests are particularly important here due to the county's effective tax rate of 1.66% and median annual property tax bill of $7,432, which is substantially above both the Texas state average of $4,111 and the national median of $2,400. The county's rapid growth and high home values (median $447,600) mean that mass appraisals frequently overvalue properties, creating significant savings opportunities for homeowners who file protests.

Notable cities: Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Celina, Richardson

Median Home

$447,600

Tax Rate

1.66%

Annual Tax

$7,432

Population

1,297,179

On the typical Collin County home, valued near $447,600 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.66%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you protest it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later

This year's protest window has passed in most of Texas. Order now and we re-run your numbers free when the window reopens, so your evidence is ready the day your next notice lands.

The 2026 protest deadline for real property is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the mailing date printed on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Notices are typically mailed in April. If your notice was mailed after April 15, you have 30 days from that mailing date to file. Filing online immediately upon receiving your notice is strongly recommended as CCAD experiences very high protest volume and early filers receive more favorable hearing schedules.

Want the full walkthrough? Read our Collin County Property Tax Protest Guide with evidence strategies and hearing tips.

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How Collin County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April

Under Texas law, the Collin Central Appraisal District appraises all properties at 100% of market value as of January 1 each year. This means there is no reduction between market value and assessed value. If your home's market value is $450,000, at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $450,000, resulting in approximately $7,470 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.66% (before exemptions). This differs from states that assess at a lower percentage of market value.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, CCAD will confirm receipt and may offer an informal review with appraisal staff before scheduling a formal ARB hearing. Many Collin County protests are resolved during informal reviews. Formal ARB hearings typically last 10-15 minutes, during which you present your evidence and the appraisal district defends their valuation.

Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in April and compare the appraised value to recent comparable sales in your neighborhood and what your home would realistically sell for on the open market

File your protest by May 15, 2026 (or within 30 days of your notice mailing date, whichever is later) using CCAD's online portal at onlineportal.collincad.org, by mail, or in person. Online filing is strongly recommended for faster processing

Gather evidence to support your case including recent comparable sales (sold within 6-12 months, similar size/condition/location), photos of property damage or deferred maintenance, repair estimates, and documentation of any incorrect property data on your appraisal notice

Attend the informal review offered by CCAD appraisal staff, which can be conducted by phone, online, or in person. Many protests are resolved at this stage through negotiation before a formal hearing is required

If the informal review does not produce a satisfactory result, proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Present your evidence professionally and be prepared to explain why your property's value should be reduced

If you disagree with the ARB decision, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for binding arbitration, file a lawsuit in district court, or pursue other remedies allowed under Texas Property Tax Code

Required form: Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) or online filing through CCAD e-Services portal

Filing Methods

online:File at https://onlineportal.collincad.org/ using your Owner ID and eFile PIN from your appraisal notice. This is the fastest method with immediate confirmation and easier evidence uploads.

mail:Mail completed Notice of Protest form (Form 50-132) to: Collin Central Appraisal District, 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069

in-person:Submit protest form in person at 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar homes in your areaPhotographs showing property condition, deferred maintenance, or damageContractor repair estimates or inspection reportsDocumentation of incorrect property data (square footage, lot size, features)Market analysis showing declining values or market conditions

Collin County Assessor Contact

Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD)

Phone: (469) 742-9200 or toll-free (866) 467-1110

Address: 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069

Website: https://collincad.org

Online Portal: https://onlineportal.collincad.org/

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central Time

Tax Exemptions in Collin County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 off school district taxes (increased from $100,000 in 2026)

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence for school district taxes

Eligibility: Property owners who own and occupy the home as their primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. Cannot claim homestead exemption on more than one property.Deadline: April 30 of the tax year, though late applications are accepted within two years

Over-65 or Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 off school district taxes, plus at least $3,000 from county and other taxing units. School district taxes are frozen at current level.

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, or who are disabled, plus a school tax ceiling (freeze) that caps school district taxes at the current level

Eligibility: Homeowners age 65 or older as of January 1, or those classified as disabled under Social Security Administration guidelinesDeadline: April 30, but can be filed at any time during the year the owner turns 65 or becomes disabled

Disabled Veteran Exemption

10-29% disability: $5,000; 30-49%: $7,500; 50-69%: $10,000; 70-99%: $12,000; 100% disabled: full exemption from all property taxes

Partial or total exemption based on VA disability rating percentage

Eligibility: Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating. 100% disabled veterans receive complete exemption on homestead property.Deadline: Apply with documentation of VA disability rating by April 30

Surviving Spouse Exemptions

100% of property value exemption

Exemptions for surviving spouses of armed services members killed in action or first responders killed in the line of duty

Eligibility: Surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Services members killed in action or first responders killed in the line of dutyDeadline: File with CCAD with required documentation

Collin County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

75%

% Who Protest

17-24%

Collin County Protest Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Collin County for 2026?

The deadline to protest your Collin County property taxes for 2026 is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date printed on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. CCAD typically mails appraisal notices in April, so most homeowners have until May 15, 2026. However, if your notice was mailed after April 15, you have 30 days from that mailing date. It's critical to file as soon as you receive your notice because CCAD processes over 400,000 properties annually and experiences extremely high protest volume, with early filers receiving better hearing schedules.

How do I file a property tax protest online with Collin County?

To file your Collin County property tax protest online, visit https://onlineportal.collincad.org/ and create an account using your Owner ID and eFile PIN, which are printed on your Notice of Appraised Value. The online portal allows you to submit your protest, upload supporting evidence such as comparable sales and photos, and track the status of your case. Online filing is the fastest method and provides immediate confirmation of receipt, which is important given CCAD's high protest volume. You can also file by mailing Form 50-132 to 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069, or submitting it in person during business hours, though these methods carry higher risk of delays near the May 15 deadline.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Collin County?

In Collin County, the Texas general residence homestead exemption removes $140,000 from your home's assessed value for school district taxes as of 2026 (increased from the previous $100,000). This exemption can save a typical Collin County homeowner approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per year depending on local school district tax rates. If you're 65 or older or disabled, you qualify for an additional $60,000 exemption from school taxes plus at least $3,000 from other taxing units, and your school taxes are frozen at the current level. To apply, download the Residential Homestead Exemption Application from collincad.org and mail it to 250 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069 by April 30, though late applications are accepted.

What evidence do I need for a successful Collin County property tax protest?

The most persuasive evidence for a Collin County property tax protest is recent comparable sales of similar homes in your neighborhood that sold for less than your appraised value within the last 6-12 months. You should also gather photos documenting any property damage, deferred maintenance, or condition issues, along with contractor repair estimates or inspection reports. Review your appraisal notice carefully for incorrect property data such as wrong square footage, lot size, or features, and document these discrepancies. Because Texas is a non-disclosure state, you cannot pull actual sale prices yourself from public sources, which is why many homeowners hire professional protest companies or use services that have access to MLS comparable sales data to build a strong case.

What happens at a Collin County ARB hearing?

At a Collin County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing, you'll have approximately 10-15 minutes to present your evidence to a panel of appointed board members who will decide whether to reduce your property's appraised value. Before the formal ARB hearing, CCAD often offers an informal review with appraisal staff where many protests are resolved through negotiation. During the formal hearing, you present your comparable sales, photos, and other evidence explaining why your property is overvalued, and the CCAD appraiser will defend their valuation with their own evidence. The board then deliberates and issues a decision, which is typically mailed within a few weeks. If you disagree with the ARB's decision, you can appeal to binding arbitration through the State Office of Administrative Hearings or file a lawsuit in district court.

How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Collin County?

Collin County homeowners who successfully protest their property taxes typically save between $500 and $2,000 per year, though savings vary based on property value and the amount of reduction achieved. With Collin County's effective tax rate of 1.66%, every $10,000 reduction in appraised value saves approximately $166 per year in property taxes. For example, if you own a home appraised at $500,000 and achieve a $50,000 reduction (10%), you would save approximately $830 annually. According to statewide Texas data, approximately 75% of homeowners who protest receive some level of reduction, and the process carries zero risk since Texas law prohibits appraisal districts from increasing your value as a result of filing a protest.

Is there any risk to protesting my Collin County property taxes?

No, there is absolutely no risk to protesting your Collin County property taxes. Texas state law explicitly prohibits the Collin Central Appraisal District from raising your property's appraised value as a result of filing a protest. If CCAD does not grant a reduction, your appraised value simply remains at its current level exactly as shown on your original notice. You cannot lose by protesting, which is why property tax experts recommend that all Collin County homeowners file a protest every year, especially given the county's rapid property value increases and Collin County's 70% informal protest success rate in 2024. The process is free to file yourself, and even if you hire a professional protest company, most work on contingency with no upfront fees.

Can I protest my Collin County property taxes if I just bought my home?

Yes, you can and should protest your Collin County property taxes even if you recently purchased your home, especially if CCAD's appraised value exceeds your purchase price. Your recent purchase price is strong evidence of market value since it represents an actual arm's-length transaction. If you bought your home for $425,000 but CCAD appraised it at $475,000, you have a compelling case for a reduction to your purchase price. Make sure to file your protest by May 15, 2026 (or within 30 days of your notice mailing date) and bring a copy of your closing statement, settlement statement (HUD-1), or deed showing the purchase price and date. Many new Collin County homeowners successfully use their purchase price as the primary evidence in their protest, particularly when the purchase occurred within the same year as the appraisal.

Official Resources

Collin Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Official CCAD website for property searches, exemption applications, appraisal notices, and protest information.

CCAD Online Protest Portal →

File your property tax protest online, upload evidence, and track your case status through CCAD's taxpayer portal.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Statewide property tax resources, exemption information, protest procedures, and taxpayer rights from the Texas Comptroller.

Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector →

Pay property taxes, look up tax account information, and access payment options through the Collin County Tax Office.

For state-wide protest information including Texas's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Texas Property Tax Protest Guide →

Considering professional help with your protest? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Protest Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Texas Counties

Angelina County (Lufkin)Bastrop County (Bastrop)Bell County (Killeen)Bexar County (San Antonio)Brazoria County (Pearland)Brazos County (Bryan)

← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://collincad.org/2026-property-tax-protest-and-appeal-procedures/ | https://collincad.org/general-information-location-hours-and-telephone-numbers/ | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/texas/collin-county/ | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/county-directory/collin.php | https://www.ownwell.com/blog/collin-county-homestead-exemption | https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/collincountytexas

Last verified: 2026-07-24