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Rockwall County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 24, 2026

Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas by land area at just 147 square miles, yet it stands as one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing counties in the state with an estimated population of over 142,000 as of 2025. The county seat is Rockwall, with major population centers including Heath, Fate, Royse City, and portions of Rowlett. Located approximately 20 miles northeast of Dallas along Lake Ray Hubbard, the county has experienced rapid suburbanization and property value growth. With a median effective property tax rate of 1.49%, Rockwall County homeowners face significantly higher tax burdens than the national median of 1.02%. The median annual property tax bill of $6,357 is $3,957 higher than the national median of $2,400, making property tax protests an essential tool for homeowners seeking financial relief.

Notable cities: Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royse City, McLendon-Chisholm

Median Home

$416,497

Tax Rate

1.49%

Annual Tax

$6,357

Population

142,452 (2025 estimate)

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

Texas law requires protests to be filed by May 15 or within 30 days of receiving your notice of appraised value, whichever date is later. Homestead properties typically receive notices by April 1, while other properties receive notices by May 1. Missing this deadline means you forfeit your right to protest for the current tax year.

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

How Rockwall County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Rockwall Central Appraisal District (RCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May (by May 1, or April 1 for residence homesteads)

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value as determined by the Rockwall Central Appraisal District. This means there is no assessment ratio reduction—your assessed value equals your market value before exemptions. For example, if your home's market value is $416,497 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $416,497. After applying a $140,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes, your taxable value for school taxes would be $276,497, resulting in approximately $6,200 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.49%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). At the ARB hearing, you'll present your case to a panel of board members who are familiar with Rockwall County properties. The hearing is informal—you'll explain why you believe your assessment is too high using your evidence (comparable sales, photos, repair estimates). The RCAD appraiser will also present their position. The board typically issues a decision the same day or shortly after.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value from Rockwall CAD when it arrives (typically by April 1 for homesteads). Check for errors in property details, square footage, lot size, and assessed value.

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Step 2: File your protest by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later. Submit Form 50-132 or a written protest letter through the online portal, by mail, or in person. Include your property ID, reason for protest (market value, unequal appraisal, or other grounds), and contact information.

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Step 3: Gather evidence to support your protest. Collect comparable sales data from similar properties in your neighborhood that sold recently for less, photographs documenting property condition issues, repair estimates for needed work, and any appraisal reports. The strongest cases include 3-5 comparable properties with adjustments for differences.

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Step 4: Attend the informal hearing with a Rockwall CAD appraiser (optional but highly recommended). This meeting allows you to present your evidence and potentially reach a settlement without going to the formal ARB hearing. In Rockwall County, informal protests have a 91% success rate and saved homeowners $720,000 in 2021.

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Step 5: If the informal hearing doesn't resolve your protest, present your case to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) at a formal hearing scheduled between May and August. Present your evidence clearly, stay professional, and focus on market value or unequal appraisal arguments. ARB hearings in Rockwall have a 63% success rate.

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Step 6: Receive the ARB's written decision by mail or email. If successful, your assessed value will be reduced and reflected in your tax bill. If you disagree with the ARB decision, you can appeal to State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), binding arbitration, or district court within the deadlines specified in your order.

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Step 7: For further appeals beyond the ARB, file an appeal to district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB order, or pursue binding arbitration if your property qualifies. Consider consulting with a property tax professional for these advanced appeal stages.

Required form: Form 50-132 (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) or written letter of protest

Filing Methods

online:File through the Rockwall CAD online portal at https://eprotest.rockwallcad.com/ or https://www.rockwallcad.com/
mail:Mail to Rockwall Central Appraisal District, 841 Justin Road, Rockwall, TX 75087
in-person:Deliver to Rockwall Central Appraisal District office at 841 Justin Road, Rockwall, TX 75087
email:Contact RCAD at (972) 771-2034 for email filing options

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar properties in your neighborhoodPhotographs documenting property condition, defects, or needed repairsWritten repair estimates from licensed contractorsProfessional appraisal reports (if available)Documentation of property record errors or incorrect information

Rockwall County Assessor Contact

Rockwall Central Appraisal District (RCAD)

Phone: (972) 771-2034

Address: 841 Justin Road, Rockwall, TX 75087

Website: https://www.rockwallcad.com/

Online Portal: https://eprotest.rockwallcad.com/

Hours: Standard business hours (contact office for specific hours)

Tax Exemptions in Rockwall County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 (effective 2026, increased from $100,000)

Mandatory exemption for school district taxes on your primary residence

Eligibility: Property must be your principal residence as of January 1. You must own and occupy the home and cannot claim homestead exemption on any other property in Texas.Deadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the February 1 delinquency date)

Over-65 Exemption

$60,000 additional exemption from school districts (combined with general homestead for $200,000 total), plus $35,000 from Rockwall County

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, includes a school tax ceiling (freeze) that caps your school district taxes at the amount from the year you qualified

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older as of January 1 of the tax year, own the property, and occupy it as your principal residence. Surviving spouses age 55+ may be eligible.Deadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after delinquency)

Disabled Person Exemption

$60,000 additional from school districts, tax ceiling applies from Rockwall County (but $0 additional county exemption amount)

Additional exemption for disabled homeowners as defined by federal Social Security disability standards, includes school tax ceiling

Eligibility: Must meet federal definition of disabled for Social Security disability benefits, own and occupy the property as principal residenceDeadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after delinquency)

Disabled Veteran Exemptions

Ranges from partial exemption for 10-29% disability rating up to 100% exemption (no property taxes) for 100% disabled veterans or surviving spouses

Exemptions based on disability rating from the VA, ranging from partial to total exemption

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with a VA disability rating, or surviving spouse of a qualified veteran. Property must be primary residence.Deadline: April 30

Optional Local Exemptions

Varies by jurisdiction; taxing units may offer up to 20% of appraised value (minimum $5,000)

Additional exemptions offered by local taxing units (county, cities, special districts)

Eligibility: Same as general homestead exemption; check with individual taxing entitiesDeadline: April 30

Official Resources

Rockwall Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property records, file protests online, download exemption forms, and view tax rates and assessment information for Rockwall County properties.

Rockwall CAD Online Protest Portal →

Electronic filing system for submitting property tax protests directly to Rockwall CAD with online evidence upload capability.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Division →

Official state resource providing property tax laws, exemption information, protest procedures, forms, and taxpayer rights under Texas law.

Texas Comptroller Exemptions Information →

Comprehensive guide to all property tax exemptions available in Texas, including homestead, over-65, disabled, veteran, and other exemption types with eligibility requirements.

Rockwall County Protest Statistics

Success Rate

91% at informal hearings, 63% at ARB hearings

% Who Protest

25% (2024, up from 17% in 2021)

Check Your Rockwall County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Rockwall County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Rockwall County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. For residence homesteads, notices are typically mailed by April 1, giving you until at least 30 days after that date. For other properties, notices are sent by May 1. Missing this deadline means you cannot protest your assessment until the following year, so it's critical to file on time. You can file online through the Rockwall CAD portal, by mail, or in person at 841 Justin Road in Rockwall.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Rockwall County?
To file a property tax protest online in Rockwall County, visit the Rockwall Central Appraisal District's electronic filing portal at https://eprotest.rockwallcad.com/. You'll need your property account number, which is listed on your notice of appraised value. The online system allows you to submit Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) electronically and select your grounds for protest, such as market value being too high or unequal appraisal. You can also upload supporting evidence like comparable sales data or photos. The online system is available 24/7 and provides confirmation when your protest is successfully filed. No fee is required to file a protest with Rockwall CAD.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Rockwall County for 2026?
For 2026, the homestead exemption in Rockwall County is worth $140,000 for school district taxes, which increased from $100,000 following the passage of Texas Senate Bill 4 and voter approval of Proposition 13 in November 2025. This exemption applies only to school district taxes, which make up the largest portion of most property tax bills. Seniors age 65 and older or disabled homeowners receive an additional $60,000 school exemption (for a total of $200,000) plus $35,000 from Rockwall County. Using the county's median home value of $416,497 and school tax rates, the $140,000 exemption can save the average homeowner $500 to $1,680 annually in school taxes alone. The exemption is automatic if you already have a homestead exemption on file; otherwise, you must apply by April 30.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Rockwall County?
At an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing in Rockwall County, you present your case to a panel of appointed board members who are familiar with local property values and market conditions. The hearing is informal and typically lasts 10-15 minutes. You'll explain why you believe your property's assessed value is too high, presenting evidence such as comparable sales, photographs of property condition issues, or repair estimates. The Rockwall CAD appraiser will also present their position and evidence supporting their valuation. Board members may ask questions to clarify details. After both sides present, the board deliberates privately and typically issues a decision the same day or shortly after by mail. You can attend your hearing in person or, in many cases, submit evidence for the board to review without attending. In Rockwall County, ARB hearings have a 63% success rate.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Rockwall County?
The amount you can save by protesting your property taxes in Rockwall County varies based on your property's overvaluation and the strength of your evidence, but homeowners typically save between $800 and $3,500 annually. According to 2021 data, informal protests in Rockwall saved homeowners $720,000 total, while ARB protests saved homeowners $2 million. With Rockwall County's effective tax rate of 1.49%, a reduction of $50,000 in assessed value translates to approximately $745 in annual tax savings. Even a 10% reduction in your assessed value can save hundreds of dollars per year. Professional protest services often achieve 15-25% higher savings than DIY attempts. Given that 25% of Rockwall County properties were protested in 2024 (up from 17% in 2021), many homeowners are finding significant value in the protest process.
What evidence do I need for a successful Rockwall County property tax protest?
For a successful property tax protest in Rockwall County, you need evidence that demonstrates your property's market value is lower than the appraised value assigned by RCAD. The most effective evidence includes comparable sales data from 3-5 similar properties in your neighborhood that sold recently for less than your assessed value, with adjustments noted for differences in size, condition, or features. Photographs documenting property defects, needed repairs, or outdated features strengthen your case, as do written repair estimates from licensed contractors for items like roof damage, foundation issues, or HVAC problems. Professional appraisal reports, if available, carry significant weight. You should also review your property record card for errors in square footage, lot size, or amenities. Board members in Rockwall County understand the local market well, so your evidence should be specific to your neighborhood and use recent sales from the past 6-12 months.
Can I protest my Rockwall County property taxes if I just bought my home?
Yes, you can protest your Rockwall County property taxes even if you recently purchased your home, and in some cases, a recent purchase price can serve as strong evidence that the appraised value is too high. If you bought your home for less than the assessed value within the past year through an arm's-length transaction (not a family sale or distressed sale), your purchase price may support a market value protest. However, appraisal districts typically give more weight to sales that occurred closer to January 1, the assessment date. You should also file for your homestead exemption immediately after purchasing—Texas law now allows you to claim the exemption right away rather than waiting until January 1 of the following year. New homeowners often overlook exemptions or fail to verify they were properly applied, which can result in overpaying by hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What is the difference between informal and formal ARB hearings in Rockwall County?
In Rockwall County, the informal hearing is an optional first step where you meet directly with a Rockwall CAD appraiser to discuss your property's value before going to the formal ARB hearing. The informal meeting is less formal, often conducted by phone or in person, and allows you to present your evidence and potentially reach a settlement agreement. Rockwall County's informal hearings have an impressive 91% success rate, and most protests are resolved at this stage without needing a formal hearing. If you cannot reach an agreement at the informal hearing, your protest automatically moves to the formal ARB hearing, where you present your case to a panel of appointed board members rather than to an appraiser. The formal ARB hearing is more structured, typically scheduled between May and August, and results in a binding decision that can be appealed to district court or arbitration if you disagree. It's highly recommended to participate in the informal hearing first, as it provides the best chance for resolution.

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.rockwallcad.com/ | https://www.ballardpropertytaxprotest.com/county/rockwall | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/rockwall-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwall_County,_Texas | https://www.poconnor.com/rockwall-county/

Last verified: 2026-02-24