Fort Bend County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Fort Bend County is a rapidly growing and diverse community located just southwest of Houston, Texas. The county seat is Richmond, with major population centers including Sugar Land, Missouri City, Rosenberg, and Fulshear. Fort Bend County's median home value of approximately $380,524 is significantly higher than the national median, with an effective property tax rate of 1.87% compared to the national median of 1.02%. Property tax protests matter in Fort Bend County because the combination of rapidly rising property values and above-average tax rates results in substantial tax bills that can strain household budgets.

Notable cities: Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fulshear

Median Home

$380,524

Tax Rate

1.87%

Annual Tax

$6,713

Population

889,146

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15th or 30 days after your notice of appraised value was mailed, whichever is later

The protest deadline is the later of May 15th or 30 days after the value notice is sent. Property owners typically receive their Notice of Appraised Value in April.

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

How Fort Bend County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Fort Bend Central Appraisal District

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning your assessed value equals your market value as determined by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District. If your home's market value is $380,524, at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $380,524, resulting in approximately $7,116 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.87%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). ARB hearings typically last 15-20 minutes total, with property owners given 3-5 minutes for their presentation. The ARB will review evidence from both sides and issue a written decision.

Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in April and note the protest deadline

File your Notice of Protest online, by mail, or in person before the deadline (May 15th or 30 days from notice date)

Request your ARB evidence packet from FBCAD after filing your protest to review their property data

Attend an informal review with an FBCAD appraiser to present evidence and potentially reach a settlement

If unsatisfied with informal results, proceed to formal ARB hearing where you'll have 15-20 minutes to present your case

If still dissatisfied after ARB decision, consider binding arbitration or judicial appeal to district court

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

Filing Methods

online:Use the FBCAD Online Protest System at https://www.fbcad.org for the fastest filing and informal review

mail:Mail to Fort Bend Central Appraisal District, 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, TX 77471

in-person:Visit FBCAD office at 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, TX 77471

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales dataPhotos of property conditionRepair estimatesIndependent appraisals

Fort Bend County Assessor Contact

Fort Bend Central Appraisal District

Phone: (281) 344-8623

Address: 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, TX 77471

Website: https://www.fbcad.org

Online Portal: https://www.fbcad.org/appeals/

Tax Exemptions in Fort Bend County

General Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school taxes; 20% (minimum $5,000) for Fort Bend County; varies by city

Reduces taxable value for school district taxes and provides percentage reduction for county and city taxes

Eligibility: Owner-occupied primary residence as of January 1Deadline: April 30

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 for school taxes; varies by taxing unit

Additional exemption for senior homeowners that also freezes school district taxes

Eligibility: Homeowners age 65 or olderDeadline: April 30

Disabled Person Exemption

Additional $60,000 for school taxes; varies by taxing unit

Additional exemption for disabled homeowners with tax freeze benefits

Eligibility: Homeowners with Social Security disability qualificationDeadline: April 30

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption from all property taxes

Complete property tax exemption for qualifying disabled veterans

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratingDeadline: April 30

Official Resources

Fort Bend Central Appraisal District Website →

Official website for property search, protest filing, exemption applications, and appraisal information.

Fort Bend County Tax Office →

County tax assessor's office for tax payment information, rates, and collection details.

Texas Property Tax Database →

State database for viewing property tax rates, accessing local property information, and tracking tax proposals.

FBCAD Online Protest Portal →

Direct link to file property tax protests online and access informal review process.

Fort Bend County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

76%

Avg Reduction

$1,333

% Who Protest

43%

Check Your Fort Bend County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The deadline to file a property tax protest in Fort Bend County is May 15th or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. Since notices are typically mailed in April, most property owners have until at least May 15th to file. You can file online through the FBCAD website, by mail, or in person at 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd. in Rosenberg. Missing this deadline means forfeiting your right to protest for that tax year.

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

Fort Bend County offers an efficient online protest system at https://www.fbcad.org that serves as both your filing method and informal hearing. You'll need your Property ID and Online Protest ID from your appraisal notice to log in. The online system allows you to submit evidence, track your protest status, and potentially receive a settlement offer from an FBCAD appraiser without attending an in-person hearing. This is the fastest and most convenient way to protest your property taxes in Fort Bend County.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Fort Bend County?

The homestead exemption in Fort Bend County provides substantial savings through multiple layers. You receive $140,000 off your home's value for school district taxes, plus Fort Bend County offers a 20% exemption (minimum $5,000) on county taxes. Cities within the county offer varying exemptions, typically between 12-20% of your home's value. For a $380,524 home, this can reduce your taxable value by over $216,000 across all taxing entities, saving thousands annually. Seniors over 65 and disabled homeowners receive an additional $60,000 exemption for school taxes.

What happens at an ARB hearing in Fort Bend County?

Fort Bend County ARB hearings are formal proceedings that typically last 15-20 minutes total. You'll have 3-5 minutes to present your case to a panel of citizen board members. Both you and the appraisal district representative will present evidence, and the ARB appreciates concise, fact-based presentations focused on comparable sales, property condition, or unequal appraisal. After the hearing, you'll receive a written decision by email or certified mail. If unsatisfied, you can pursue binding arbitration or appeal to district court.

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

Fort Bend County property owners who protest see an average reduction of $1,333 per year, with a 76% success rate for those who file protests. Given that 43% of Fort Bend County's total property value is under protest annually, the potential for savings is significant. With the county's effective tax rate of 1.87% and median home value of $380,524, even a modest 10% reduction in assessed value could save homeowners over $700 annually. The savings can be even greater for commercial properties or homes that are significantly overvalued.

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

For a successful Fort Bend County property tax protest, gather comparable sales data from similar properties in your neighborhood, photos documenting any condition issues, repair estimates from licensed contractors, and potentially an independent appraisal if your value is grossly overassessed. Request the ARB evidence packet from FBCAD after filing your protest to see their property data and comparable sales. Focus on properties sold near January 1st of the tax year, as that's the valuation date. Bring enough copies for each ARB member and the appraisal district representative at your hearing.

Can I file a property tax protest if I missed the May 15th deadline in Fort Bend County?

Yes, you may still file a late protest in Fort Bend County if you can show good cause for missing the deadline. Late protests must be submitted before the ARB approves the appraisal records, typically around July 20-25th. You'll need to submit your late protest along with documentation showing good cause to the ARB by mail to 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, TX 77471 or in person. The ARB Chairman will review your request, and if good cause is established, you'll be scheduled for a formal hearing.

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.fbcad.org/appeals/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/fort-bend-county | https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/tax-assessor-collector | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/protests/index.php

Last verified: 2026-02-15