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Harris County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Harris County is the third most populous county in the United States with an estimated population of over 5 million residents in 2026. The county seat is Houston, the largest city in Texas and home to over 2.4 million people. Major population centers include Pasadena, Baytown, Pearland, League City, and The Woodlands. Property tax protests are especially critical in Harris County due to its significantly higher-than-average tax burden—the county's effective property tax rate of 1.46% is well above the national average of 0.89%, and the median annual property tax bill of $4,416 exceeds the national median of $2,400 by $2,016.

Notable cities: Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Pearland, League City, The Woodlands

Median Home

$301,700

Tax Rate

1.46%

Annual Tax

$4,416

Population

5,221,006

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

The standard deadline is May 15 each year. However, if your appraisal notice is mailed after April 15, you have 30 days from the date the notice was mailed to file your protest, whichever date is later. Always check the specific deadline printed on your Notice of Appraised Value to ensure timely filing.

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

How Harris County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: late March to early April

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 with no reduction for assessment purposes. For example, if your home's market value is $301,700 (Harris County's median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $301,700, resulting in approximately $4,405 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.46%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you may receive an informal settlement offer through HCAD's iSettle system. If you proceed to a formal hearing, you'll present your case to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) with your evidence. Hearings are typically brief (10-20 minutes) and conducted in a semi-formal setting where you explain why your property's value should be reduced.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives in late March or early April. Check for errors in property details such as square footage, year built, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

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Step 2: Gather evidence to support your protest, including equity comparables (similar properties with lower assessed values), recent sales comparables, photographs of property damage or defects, and contractor repair estimates if applicable.

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Step 3: File your protest before the deadline using HCAD's iFile online system, by mail, or in person. State your opinion of value and upload supporting documentation. Filing online through iFile is the fastest and most convenient method.

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Step 4: Wait for an iSettle offer from HCAD. The appraisal district may send you a settlement offer electronically. Review it carefully and either accept the offer to resolve your protest immediately, or reject it to proceed to a formal hearing.

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Step 5: If you reject the settlement or don't receive one, attend your scheduled Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. Present your evidence clearly and concisely, focusing on comparable properties and factual data supporting your claimed value.

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Step 6: Receive the ARB's written decision by email or certified mail. If you accept the decision, your appraisal will be adjusted accordingly and any tax refund will be processed.

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Step 7: If you're dissatisfied with the ARB's decision, you have the right to appeal to state district court within 60 days of receiving the written order, or pursue binding arbitration or State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for certain property types.

Required form: Form 50-132 (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) or a written letter of disagreement identifying the property and stating dissatisfaction

Filing Methods

online:File online through HCAD's iFile system at https://hcad.org/hcad-online-services/ifile-protest/ - this is the easiest and recommended method
mail:Mail to Harris Central Appraisal District, P.O. Box 922004, Houston, TX 77292-2004 (must be postmarked by deadline)
in-person:Drop off at HCAD office at 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040-6305 during business hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday)

Evidence to Bring

Comparable properties (equity comps showing similar homes with lower assessed values)Recent sales data of comparable homes in your neighborhoodPhotographs documenting property damage, defects, or needed repairsContractor estimates or repair invoices for significant property issuesIndependent appraisal report (if obtained)Property record corrections for inaccurate square footage or features

Harris County Assessor Contact

Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD)

Phone: (713) 957-7800

Address: 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040-6305

Website: https://hcad.org

Online Portal: https://hcad.org/hcad-online-services/ifile-protest/

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday (Saturday hearings in June, July, and August)

Tax Exemptions in Harris County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes; Harris County provides an additional 20% optional exemption

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

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. Only individuals (not corporations) qualify, and you cannot claim a homestead exemption on any other property.Deadline: April 30 annually

Over-65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 exemption for school taxes; $3,000+ from county and other taxing units; school tax ceiling prevents increases

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, includes a school tax ceiling that freezes school taxes

Eligibility: Must be 65 years of age or older and have a homestead exemption on the property. Once qualified, school taxes are frozen and will not increase unless you make improvements to the home.Deadline: Can apply up to one year after turning 65

Disabled Person Exemption

$50,000 exemption for school taxes; additional exemptions of $3,000+ from county and other taxing units; includes school tax ceiling

Exemption for homeowners who qualify as disabled under Social Security Administration definition

Eligibility: Must be classified as disabled under the Social Security Act definition and have a homestead exemption. Proof of disability from Social Security Administration is required.Deadline: Must file when disability status is obtained

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Ranges from partial to 100% exemption depending on disability rating; 100% disabled veterans receive total exemption from property taxes

Partial or total property tax exemption based on VA disability rating

Eligibility: Must be a disabled veteran with a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the branch of armed services. Rating determines exemption amount.Deadline: Apply with HCAD; contact(713) 957-7800 for specific requirements

Official Resources

Harris Central Appraisal District Website →

Official HCAD website for property searches, filing protests, applying for exemptions, and accessing your property account information.

HCAD iFile Online Protest System →

File your property tax protest online, upload evidence, track your case status, and receive iSettle offers electronically.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Protests and Appeals →

Official Texas state resource explaining your protest rights, filing procedures, hearing processes, and appeal options beyond the ARB.

Harris County Tax Office →

Pay your property taxes, access tax certificates, view payment history, and find information about payment plans and delinquent taxes.

Check Your Harris County Assessment

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Harris County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Harris County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) typically mails appraisal notices in late March or early April. Always check the specific deadline printed on your notice to ensure you don't miss the filing window. If May 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Harris County?
You can file your Harris County property tax protest online using HCAD's iFile system at https://hcad.org/hcad-online-services/ifile-protest/. This is the easiest and most recommended method. You'll need your account number and iFile number from your Notice of Appraised Value. Through the online portal, you can submit your protest, upload supporting documentation such as comparable sales and photos, state your opinion of value, and track your case status. After filing, you may receive an iSettle offer that allows you to resolve your protest electronically without attending a hearing.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Harris County?
In Harris County, the general homestead exemption provides $140,000 off your home's appraised value for school district taxes, plus Harris County offers an additional 20% optional exemption for county taxes. For example, if your home is valued at $300,000, the school exemption reduces your taxable value to $160,000 for school taxes, while the 20% county exemption ($60,000) reduces it to $240,000 for county taxes. Combined, these exemptions can save homeowners thousands of dollars annually. You must apply for the homestead exemption by April 30, and it only applies to your primary residence.
What happens at an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Harris County?
At a Harris County ARB hearing, you'll present your case to a panel of board members explaining why your property's appraised value should be reduced. Hearings typically last 10-20 minutes and are conducted in a semi-formal setting at the HCAD office. You should bring evidence including comparable property values, sales data, photographs of property defects, and repair estimates. The ARB will also hear from an HCAD appraiser who may defend the current valuation. After both sides present, the board deliberates and issues a written decision by email or certified mail, which may affirm, reduce, or occasionally increase your property's value.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Harris County?
Savings from protesting Harris County property taxes vary based on your property's initial appraised value and the strength of your evidence. According to available data, Harris County property owners saved more than $254 million through protests in 2023. Individual homeowners can often achieve reductions of $10,000 to $50,000 or more in appraised value, which translates to annual tax savings of approximately $146 to $730 (at the 1.46% effective tax rate). The key is providing strong comparable sales data and evidence of property issues. Even modest reductions accumulate significant savings over time, especially with the homestead cap limiting future increases to 10% annually.
What evidence do I need for a successful Harris County property tax protest?
For a successful Harris County protest, gather equity comparables showing similar homes in your area with lower assessed values, recent sales data of comparable properties that sold for less than your appraisal, and photographs documenting any property damage, deferred maintenance, or defects. Contractor estimates or invoices for needed repairs strengthen your case significantly. You should also verify your property record on HCAD's website for errors in square footage, lot size, year built, or other features. The most effective protests use multiple types of evidence demonstrating that your property's market value is lower than HCAD's appraisal, based on objective, factual data rather than subjective opinions.
Can I still get a homestead exemption if I missed the April 30 deadline in Harris County?
Yes, you can still apply for a homestead exemption in Harris County after the April 30 deadline. Late applications are accepted, and Texas law allows you to claim retroactive homestead exemptions for up to two previous years if you were eligible but didn't apply. You'll need to file the application with supporting documentation (Texas driver's license showing the property address) with HCAD. While you may miss the exemption for the current tax year if you apply too late, you can still benefit in future years and potentially receive refunds for prior years. Contact HCAD at(713) 957-7800 to discuss your specific situation and eligibility for retroactive benefits.
What is the Harris County homestead cap and how does it protect me from property tax increases?
The Harris County homestead cap limits increases in your property's appraised value to 10% per year once you have a homestead exemption in place. This means even if your home's market value increases by 20% or 30% in a single year, your appraised value for tax purposes can only increase by 10%. The cap begins in the second year after you receive your homestead exemption and continues as long as you own and occupy the property as your primary residence. Additionally, homeowners age 65 or older receive a school tax ceiling that completely freezes their school district taxes unless they make improvements to the home, providing even greater protection against rising property tax bills.

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://hcad.org | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/protests/ | https://smartasset.com/taxes/harris-county-texas-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/harris-county | https://blog.squaredeal.tax/texas/harris-county-property-tax-protests/ | https://www.fox26houston.com/news/harris-county-appraisal-notices-coming-soon-what-homeowners-need-know-about-protesting-property-values

Last verified: 2026-02-16