AppealDesk

Travis County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Travis County is a large and growing county in Texas. It is home to the city of Austin, the state capital. The County is a center for business, education, and technology, attracting a growing population. The median effective property tax rate is 1.65%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. The median annual Travis County tax bill is $7,876, $5,476 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

Notable cities: Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Lake Travis, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Del Valle

Median Home

$492,802

Tax Rate

1.65%

Annual Tax

$7,876

Population

Travis County's population rose by 18% between 2013 and 2021

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

The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your Notice is mailed, whichever is later. The deadline is when TCAD must receive your protest, not when you mail it.

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

How Travis County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: mid April

The market value is your home's value as of January 1. The assessed value is the market value once any homestead caps are applied. The taxable value is the assessed value minus any exemption amounts. If your home's market value is $492,802 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $492,802, resulting in approximately $8,131 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.65%.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). You'll receive notice at least 15 days before your formal hearing with information about the scheduled time and process.

1

Step 1: File your protest online, by mail, or in person by May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed.

2

Step 2: Submit evidence supporting your proposed value through the online portal or with your filing.

3

Step 3: Participate in informal settlement discussions with TCAD. They may offer a settlement via email.

4

Step 4: If no agreement is reached, attend an informal meeting with a TCAD appraiser.

5

Step 5: If still unresolved, present your case at a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

6

Step 6: The ARB will issue a decision. If successful, your market value will be lowered.

7

Step 7: If dissatisfied with ARB decision, you may appeal to state district court or binding arbitration.

Required form: Protest form (available online or at TCAD office)

Filing Methods

online:File through TCAD's online portal for immediate confirmation. You can upload evidence, review TCAD's evidence, and accept/decline settlement offers through your account.
mail:Travis Central Appraisal District, PO Box 149012, Austin TX 78714
in-person:850 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales dataProperty condition photosRepair estimatesAppraisal reportsConstruction bids

Travis County Assessor Contact

Travis Central Appraisal District

Phone: (512) 834-9317

Address: 850 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752

Website: https://traviscad.org/

Online Portal: https://traviscad.org/ (file protests through online portal)

Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 7:45am-4:45pm, Tues/Thurs 9:00am-4:45pm

Tax Exemptions in Travis County

General Homestead Exemption

$140,000

Increased from $100,000 to $140,000 for school district taxes (retroactive to January 1, 2026)

Eligibility: Must own and reside at property as of January 1st of the yearDeadline: Between January 1 and April 30 of the tax year

Over-65 Homestead Exemption

$60,000 (combined with general exemption = $200,000)

Additional exemption for school taxes plus tax ceiling freeze. Increased from $10,000 to $60,000.

Eligibility: Property owners the year they become 65 years oldDeadline: No later than one year from qualification date

Disabled Person Exemption

$60,000

Similar to over-65 exemption, provides tax ceiling for school taxes

Eligibility: Must meet Social Security Administration's standards for disabilityDeadline: No later than one year from qualification date

Travis County Optional Exemptions

20% of value + $85,500 for seniors/disabled

Travis County offers a 20% homestead exemption, the maximum allowed by law, plus an additional $85,500 exemption for those 65+ or disabled

Eligibility: Same as general homestead requirementsDeadline: Same as general homestead

Official Resources

Travis Central Appraisal District Website →

The official website for Travis Central Appraisal District, responsible for determining property values in Travis County.

File Your Property Tax Protest Online →

TCAD's online portal for filing protests, uploading evidence, and managing your protest process.

Property Search and Tax Estimator →

Search for property values and tax information for any property in Travis County.

Homestead Exemption Applications →

Download or complete exemption application forms and learn about available homestead exemptions.

Travis County Protest Statistics

% Who Protest

38% protest rate in 2026

Check Your Travis County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Travis 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 Travis County?
The deadline to file a property tax protest in Travis County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. The deadline is when TCAD must receive your protest, not when you mail it. If filing online, you can submit until 11:59 PM on the deadline date, but in-person submissions must arrive during business hours. Missing this deadline means losing your right to protest for the entire year.
How do I file a property tax protest in Travis County online?
Filing online through TCAD's portal is the easiest and fastest way to initiate your protest, providing immediate confirmation. You can upload comments and evidence, review TCAD's evidence, and accept/decline settlement offers through your online account. To create an account, use the property owner ID and PIN number from your Notice of Appraised Value. TCAD's online system gets slammed near the May 15 deadline and may crash, so file early to avoid technical issues.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Travis County?
The general homestead exemption in Texas increased from $100,000 to $140,000 for school district taxes, retroactive to January 1, 2026. Seniors over 65 and disabled persons receive an additional $60,000 exemption, bringing their total to $200,000. Travis County also offers a 20% homestead exemption (the maximum allowed by law) plus an additional $85,500 exemption for those 65+ or disabled. In 2026, having a homestead exemption saved the average Travis County property owner $3,663 on their property tax bill.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Travis County?
The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will mail you a notice at least 15 days before your formal hearing with information about the scheduled time and process. In-person hearings are conducted at the Travis Central Appraisal District office located at 850 E Anderson Lane. Before the hearing, you can file evidence and a sworn affidavit, and you have the right to be represented by an agent. After the hearing, the ARB will either rule for TCAD or instate a lower market value for your home, which will decrease your property tax liability to all taxing units.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Travis County?
With median home values at $492,802 and tax bills ranging from $5,413 to $17,585, even small reductions in assessed value can result in significant savings. Most protests result in at least a small reduction, with over 150,000 protests filed in Travis County in 2026 (about a 38% protest rate). If you successfully knock $50,000 off your taxable value, that could save you approximately $500-$825 annually depending on your tax rate. The exact savings depend on your property's value reduction and the combined tax rates of your specific taxing entities.
What evidence do I need for a Travis County property tax protest?
You should submit evidence supporting your proposed reduced market value when filing your protest. Useful evidence includes comparable sales data, property condition reports, and repair estimates. Additional supporting documents can include recent appraisals, construction quotes, property condition photos, and neighborhood surveys to support your claim of overvaluation. You can upload evidence through TCAD's online portal, and all property owners who file a protest will have access to TCAD's evidence packet via the online portal.
Can I still protest if I didn't receive a Notice of Appraised Value from TCAD?
Every property owner in Texas is legally allowed to file a property tax protest, meaning you can protest even if you did not receive a Notice of Appraised Value. Not receiving a notice may qualify as good cause for a late protest; however, you should monitor your property's status on the TCAD website and file by May 15 regardless. TCAD mails notices to either the owner OR to the owner's Agent of Record, not both, so check with customer service at(512) 834-9138 if you believe a notice was sent. Your current value information is always available on the TCAD website at https://traviscad.org.

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://traviscad.org/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/travis-county | https://tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/ | https://www.ballardpropertytaxprotest.com/post/travis-county-texas-property-tax-protests

Last verified: 2026-02-15