Denton County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Denton County residents face residential property tax bills that far exceed the national average for homeowners, with a median home value of $438,301—77% higher than the Texas median. The county has a median effective property tax rate of 1.49%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. The median annual tax bill is $6,260, which is $3,860 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Evaluations for the average home value for tax year 2026 increased by an average of 3.68%, with a home valued at $492,134 now having a current value of $510,263.

Notable cities: Denton, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Frisco, Little Elm

Median Home

$438,301

Tax Rate

1.49%

Annual Tax

$6,260

Population

Over 900,000

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

This deadline is set by Texas law and strictly enforced by Denton CAD. Late protests require proof of 'good cause' (serious illness, military deployment, etc.) and are rarely accepted.

Property in Denton County, Texas — local tax assessment and protest guide

How Denton County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Denton Central Appraisal District (DCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: mid-April (around April 15)

In Texas, appraisal districts value property at market value as of January 1 of the tax year. Denton Central Appraisal District uses mass appraisal methods, which means your home is grouped with similar properties and analyzed using broad models. If your home's market value is $438,301 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $438,301, resulting in approximately $6,531 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.49%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel that will hear your case and the district's evidence. Hearings are structured but designed for everyday homeowners.

Step 1: File a written Notice of Protest by mail, in person, drop box, or through Denton CAD's eportal by May 15 or 30 days after the notice was sent

Step 2: Prepare evidence to support your lower value, including photos of damage, receipts or quotes for repairs, independent appraisals, and comparable property sales

Step 3: Attend the informal review with an appraiser where many cases settle. Present your strongest evidence clearly and ask how they derived your value

Step 4: If not resolved informally, attend your ARB hearing. The ARB is an independent panel that will hear your case. Hearings are structured but designed for everyday homeowners

Step 5: If unsatisfied with the ARB ruling, you can appeal through binding arbitration (file within 60 days), an administrative hearing with SOAH (file within 30 days), or district court (file within 60 days)

Required form: Notice of Protest Form (Form 50-132)

Filing Methods

online:Visit https://appeals.dentoncad.com, create an account, enter your 4-digit eFile PIN from your appraisal notice, select your protest reason, and submit. You can also upload evidence through the portal.

mail:File a written Notice of Protest by mail

in-person:File in person or drop box

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property sales dataPhotos showing property damage or needed repairsContractor estimates for repairsIndependent appraisals

Denton County Assessor Contact

Denton Central Appraisal District

Phone: (940) 349-3800

Address: 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208

Website: https://www.dentoncad.com

Online Portal: https://appeals.dentoncad.com

Tax Exemptions in Denton County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

up to $25,000 deduction from assessed property value

This exemption is available to homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence

Eligibility: You must own and occupy the home as your principal residence on January 1Deadline: April 30

School District Homestead Exemption

$100,000 exemption on school district taxes

The school district exemption saves a typical Denton County homeowner roughly $1,207 per year in school taxes at the Denton ISD rate

Eligibility: Primary residence homeownersDeadline: April 30, and you can file up to two years late

Over-65 Exemption

extra $10,000 exemption on top of the regular homestead exemption

Additional exemptions available for homeowners aged 65 or older, designed to ease the financial burden on individuals living on fixed incomes

Eligibility: Married or unmarried persons age 65 and older on or before Jan. 1 of the tax yearDeadline: April 30

Disabled Person Exemption

Similar advantages to senior exemption

Additional exemptions available for disabled persons

Eligibility: Disabled as defined by Section 11.13(m) of the Texas Property Tax CodeDeadline: April 30

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Varies based on disability rating

Exemption for disabled veterans

Eligibility: Disabled veteran or veteran's spouseDeadline: April 30

Official Resources

Denton Central Appraisal District Website →

Official website for property searches, exemption applications, and protest filing information

Denton County Property Tax Protest Portal →

Online portal to file property tax protests and upload supporting evidence

Denton County Tax Office →

County tax assessor-collector office for property tax payment information and tax bills

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Resources →

State-level property tax information including protest procedures and taxpayer rights

Denton County Protest Statistics

Avg Reduction

$54,759

Check Your Denton County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Denton County?

The deadline to file is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. This deadline is set by Texas law and strictly enforced by Denton CAD. Not receiving a notice doesn't waive your right to protest, but you're still responsible for meeting the deadline. Check the DCAD website or call(940) 349-3800 to verify your property's assessed value and deadline.

How do I file a property tax protest in Denton County online?

Visit https://appeals.dentoncad.com, create an account, enter your 4-digit eFile PIN from your appraisal notice, select your protest reason, and submit. You can also upload evidence through the portal. Denton CAD offers an eFile system for online protest filing, which is faster and more convenient than mail. You can also file a written Notice of Protest by mail, in person, or drop box.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Denton County?

The general residence homestead exemption allows up to $25,000 to be deducted from your assessed property value. Additionally, the $100,000 school district exemption saves a typical Denton County homeowner roughly $1,207 per year in school taxes at the Denton ISD rate. Some cities like Flower Mound have increased their exemption to 20% of value, which is the highest level allowed for a municipality in Texas.

What happens at an ARB hearing in Denton County?

The ARB is an independent panel that will hear your case and the district's evidence. Hearings are structured but designed for everyday homeowners. Be concise and organized. Your ARB hearing will be scheduled shortly after you file your protest. Denton County holds both in-person and virtual ARB hearings. However, all the hearings are formal, and you need to be prepared to present a case for why your home's assessed value is too high.

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

In 2026, NTPTS clients in Denton County received an average reduction of $54,759 on their property value. For estimating purposes, let's assume the tax rate in Denton County is 2.5%. A property owner with a home assessed at $550,000 could estimate paying $13,750 in property taxes. This illustrates the importance of reviewing your assessed value each year and filing a protest.

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

Examples of evidence can include photos of damage, receipts or quotes for repairs, independent appraisals, etc. Use Zillow or another property search tool to find homes in Denton County that are similar in age, square footage, and features to yours. Compare your appraisal valuation to recent nearby sales. Property repair estimates and evidence of depreciation are also helpful for protesting an appraisal. Sales data for comparable properties in your neighborhood are particularly important.

Can I appeal if I disagree with the ARB decision in Denton County?

Yes, if you are unsatisfied with how the Denton County ARB rules, you have the opportunity to appeal. There are three methods of resolving an appeal: binding arbitration, an administrative hearing, or an in-court appeal. If filing with the district court, you must do so within 60 days of receiving the ARB's letter. For binding arbitration, the deadline to file is no later than the 60th day from receiving the ARB letter. To appeal to the SOAH, you must file no later than 30 days from receiving the ARB letter.

Do I need professional help to protest my Denton County property taxes?

Texas law allows you to appoint a representative for your property tax protest ARB hearing. You must sign an authorization letter to appoint an agent to speak on your behalf. Many property owners find the ARB hearing process stressful, especially when standing in front of a board to argue their case. When you work with a professional service, you don't have to go at it alone. Experienced teams handle your representation, confirming all arguments are communicated clearly and professionally on your behalf. While you can complete the entire appeal process on your own, a property tax reduction firm can file on your behalf.

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

Bell County (Killeen)Bexar County (San Antonio)Brazoria County (Pearland)Brazos County (Bryan)Cameron County (Brownsville)Collin County (McKinney)

← All Texas property tax protest info

Sources: https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/441/Property-Tax-Analysis-PDF | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/denton-county | https://www.ballardpropertytaxprotest.com/post/denton-countys-new-property-tax-rate-for-2026 | https://ntpts.com/areas-served/denton-county/ | https://www.ballardpropertytaxprotest.com/post/denton-county-property-tax-protest-deadlines

Last verified: 2026-02-15