Galveston County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob Hartley·Updated February 23, 2026

Galveston County is located along the Texas Gulf Coast with Galveston as its county seat. The county encompasses major cities including Texas City, League City, Galveston, Friendswood, and Santa Fe, serving a population of approximately 340,000 residents. Property tax protests are particularly important here because Galveston County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States, ranking 190th of 3,143 counties nationwide. With a median home value of approximately $260,600 to $305,000 depending on the area, homeowners face an effective tax rate of 1.54% to 2.01%, resulting in median annual tax bills of $4,120 to $4,325—substantially higher than the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Galveston, Texas City, League City, Friendswood, Santa Fe, Dickinson, La Marque, Hitchcock, Kemah

Median Home

$280,000

Tax Rate

1.54%

Annual Tax

$4,325

Population

340,000

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026 or 30 days after the date of the appraisal notice, whichever is later

Property owners must file their protest by May 15th or within 30 days of receiving their Notice of Appraised Value, whichever date is later. If you have a property tax consultant, you may not receive a notice directly, so check your property value online before the May 15th deadline.

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

How Galveston County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as of January 1 each year. This means your assessed value equals your market value before any exemptions are applied. For example, if your home's market value is $280,000 at Galveston County's 100% assessment ratio, your assessed value would be $280,000. Before exemptions, this would result in approximately $4,312 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.54%. Homestead and other exemptions can significantly reduce this amount by lowering your taxable value.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). ARB hearings are conducted by panels of three independent citizens who hear testimony from both you and the appraisal district. Hearings typically last 15-20 minutes, and you may attend in person, by phone/video conference, or submit evidence by written affidavit. Property owners receive at least 15 days' notice of their scheduled hearing date.

Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives in April or May, checking for errors in square footage, property condition, or market value comparisons

File your protest by May 15, 2026 or within 30 days of receiving your notice (whichever is later) using Form 50-132 online, by mail, or in person at GCAD

Request all data used to determine your value when filing, including comparable sales, neighborhood values, and appraisal information

Attend the required informal conference with a GCAD appraiser to review evidence and negotiate a settlement—many protests are resolved at this stage

If no agreement is reached at the informal hearing, proceed to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), which begins in May and requires submitting your Property Owner's Affidavit of Evidence 24 hours prior

Present your evidence at the ARB hearing (15-20 minutes), including comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, and any documentation showing your property is overvalued

Receive the ARB's Notice of Final Order via certified mail approximately 3-4 weeks after your hearing

If unsatisfied with the ARB decision, appeal to binding arbitration or District Court within the timeframe specified in your Notice of Final Order

Required form: Notice of Protest Form 50-132

Filing Methods

online:File through the Galveston CAD online portal at https://galvestoncad.org using your Property ID and Online Protest ID found on your appraisal notice

mail:Mail Form 50-132 to: Galveston Central Appraisal District, 9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Ste. A101, Texas City, TX 77591

in-person:Visit GCAD office at 9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Ste. A101, Texas City, TX 77591 (complete Form 50-132 upon arrival)

email:Contact gcad@galvestoncad.org for electronic filing options and reschedule requests

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar properties in your areaPhotos documenting property condition or defectsRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed workIndependent appraisal reportsDocumentation of incorrect property characteristics (square footage, lot size, etc.)

Galveston County Assessor Contact

Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD)

Phone: 409-766-2284

Address: 9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Ste. A101, Texas City, TX 77591

Website: https://galvestoncad.org

Online Portal: https://galvestoncad.org

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Friday 8:00 AM - Noon (ARB lunch 12pm-1pm)

Tax Exemptions in Galveston County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

School districts must provide a mandatory $100,000 exemption ($140,000 statewide for 2025-2026); counties must provide $3,000 for farm-to-market/flood control; local taxing units may provide up to 20% of appraised value (minimum $5,000)

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence and caps annual appraisal increases at 10%

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: Before May 1 (late applications accepted with reasonable cause)

Over-65 Exemption

School districts must provide $10,000 mandatory exemption on top of general homestead; optional exemptions available from other taxing jurisdictions; tax ceiling freeze prevents increases

Provides an additional exemption and freezes school district taxes at the amount paid when the exemption is first applied

Eligibility: Property owner who is 65 or older as of January 1 of the tax year and occupies the home as their primary residenceDeadline: Before May 1 (effective January 1 of year owner turns 65 or purchases home after turning 65)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

Total property tax exemption on residence homestead

Complete exemption from property taxes for veterans with a 100% disability rating or individually unemployable status

Eligibility: Veteran who receives 100% disability compensation from the VA due to service-connected disability and a rating of 100% disabled or individually unemployableDeadline: Before May 1 (effective January 1 of year owner becomes 100% disabled)

Partial Disabled Veteran Exemption

Varies by disability rating: 10-29% = $5,000; 30-49% = $7,500; 50-69% = $10,000; 70-100% = $12,000

Partial exemption based on disability rating percentage

Eligibility: Disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsDeadline: Before May 1

Disabled Person Exemption

School districts must provide $10,000 mandatory exemption; tax ceiling freeze on school taxes; optional exemptions from other jurisdictions

Provides tax relief similar to Over-65 exemption for persons who are disabled

Eligibility: Property owner certified as disabled by Social Security Administration or other qualifying disability documentationDeadline: Before May 1

Surviving Spouse Exemptions

Continues the exemption amount and tax ceiling of the deceased spouse

Allows surviving spouses to continue exemptions and tax freezes of deceased spouse under certain conditions

Eligibility: Surviving spouse must have been at least 55 years old when spouse died, property must remain their residence homestead, and they must not remarryDeadline: Before May 1

Official Resources

Galveston Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file protests online, apply for exemptions, and find all official forms and deadlines for Galveston County.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Exemptions Guide →

Official state resource explaining all property tax exemptions available in Texas, including eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Galveston County Tax Office →

Pay your property taxes, access protest information guides, and find important property tax deadlines and payment options.

GCAD Property Search Tool →

Look up your property information, view current assessed values, check exemption status, and verify your property details before filing a protest.

Galveston County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

76% at ARB, 66% via informal hearing

Avg Reduction

$1,812

% Who Protest

30%

Check Your Galveston County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Galveston County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The protest deadline for Galveston County in 2026 is May 15th or 30 days after the date on your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Appraisal notices are typically mailed in April, so most property owners have until May 15, 2026 to file. If you have hired a property tax consultant, you may not receive a notice directly, so it's important to check your property value online at galvestoncad.org before the May 15th deadline to ensure you don't miss the window to protest.

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

To file a property tax protest online in Galveston County, visit the Galveston Central Appraisal District website at galvestoncad.org and use the online protest portal. You'll need your Property ID and Online Protest ID, both found on your Notice of Appraised Value. The online system allows you to submit your protest, upload evidence like comparable sales and photos, and track the status of your case. GCAD's online system is secure and recommended as the most convenient filing method. You can also request all data used to determine your property value through the online portal.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Galveston County?

In Galveston County, the residence homestead exemption includes a mandatory school district exemption of $100,000 to $140,000 (depending on the tax year and state law), plus a mandatory $3,000 county exemption for farm-to-market and flood control taxes. Local taxing units may also provide optional exemptions of up to 20% of your property's appraised value, with a minimum of $5,000. For example, on a home valued at $280,000, the school exemption alone could reduce your taxable value by $140,000, saving you approximately $2,800 annually in school taxes. The homestead exemption also caps your annual appraisal increase at 10%.

What happens at an ARB hearing in Galveston County?

At a Galveston County ARB hearing, you'll present your case to a panel of three independent citizens who hear evidence from both you and a representative from the appraisal district. Hearings typically last 15 to 20 minutes and can be conducted in person at the GCAD office, via telephone or video conference, or through written affidavit submission. You must submit your Property Owner's Affidavit of Evidence at least 24 hours before your scheduled hearing. After reviewing the evidence and hearing testimony, the ARB panel makes a decision on your property's value. You'll receive a Notice of Final Order via certified mail approximately three to four weeks after the hearing.

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

Property owners in Galveston County who protested their property taxes in 2023 saved an average of $1,812 per account, with total savings exceeding $130 million countywide. Success rates are high—76% of protests to the Appraisal Review Board were successful, and 66% achieved reductions through informal hearings. The amount you save depends on how much your property value is reduced. For example, if your home is valued at $300,000 and you successfully reduce it to $275,000, you would save approximately $385 annually at the county's 1.54% effective tax rate. Over time, these savings compound significantly.

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

To build a strong property tax protest in Galveston County, you should gather comparable sales of similar properties in your area that sold for less than your assessed value, photographs documenting your property's condition or any defects, and repair estimates or contractor bids for needed work. You should also request the appraisal data GCAD used to value your property, which includes sales comps and neighborhood values they considered. If there are errors in your property record such as incorrect square footage, lot size, or features, documentation proving these mistakes is crucial. An independent appraisal report can also strengthen your case significantly.

Can I protest my Galveston County property taxes every year?

Yes, Texas law allows property owners to protest their property taxes annually in Galveston County. Even if you successfully reduced your property value one year, the Galveston Central Appraisal District can increase it again the following year based on market conditions or reassessments. Filing an annual protest ensures your property remains fairly valued over time and helps you avoid overpaying. Approximately 30% of Galveston County property owners protested their values in 2024, with high success rates. Texas law also protects you—the appraisal district cannot raise your value solely because you filed a protest.

What is the informal hearing process in Galveston County and is it required?

Informal hearings are now required in Galveston County before you can proceed to a formal ARB hearing, but you must first file a formal protest using Form 50-132 to be scheduled for the informal conference. During the informal hearing, you meet one-on-one with a GCAD appraiser to review your evidence and negotiate a potential settlement. This is where many protests are resolved—66% of property owners achieve reductions at this stage. If you and the appraiser cannot agree on a value during the informal meeting, your case automatically proceeds to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board. The informal process is less formal and often faster than the ARB 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://galvestoncad.org | https://www.galvestoncountytx.gov/our-county/tax-assessor-collector/property-tax | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/galveston-county | https://www.poconnor.com/galveston-county/ | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/

Last verified: 2026-02-23