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Williamson County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Williamson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, with a population exceeding 600,000 residents. Located just north of Austin, the county seat is Georgetown, and it's home to thriving cities like Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander. Property tax protests are especially important here because Williamson County has one of the highest effective property tax rates in Texas at approximately 1.68-1.86%, significantly above the national median of 1.02%. With rapid growth and property values that have risen dramatically, protesting your appraisal can result in significant savings, especially since many Williamson County homeowners successfully receive reductions each year.

Notable cities: Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto, Pflugerville

Median Home

$370,100

Tax Rate

1.68%

Annual Tax

$6,856

Population

Over 600,000

2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value was 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 (not the date you received it) to file your protest, whichever date is later. Missing this deadline may forfeit your right to protest for the year.

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

How Williamson County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April (typically first week of April, notices sent around April 1-15)

In Texas, properties are assessed at 100% of market value, meaning your assessed value equals the market value determined by the appraisal district. For example, if your home's market value is $370,100 (the county median), at Texas's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $370,100. At Williamson County's effective rate of 1.68%, this results in approximately $6,217 in annual taxes before any exemptions. If you qualify for the $140,000 homestead exemption, your taxable value for school district taxes would be reduced to $230,100.

The Protest Process

Appeals are heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). After filing your protest, you'll first have an opportunity for an informal 15-minute meeting with a WCAD appraiser on the day of your formal hearing. If you can't reach an agreement, you'll proceed to a formal ARB hearing before a three-member panel where both you and the appraisal district present evidence. The ARB will issue a written decision by certified mail.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Appraised Value carefully when it arrives (typically first week of April). Check the market value, assessed value, and confirm all property details are accurate.

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Step 2: File your Notice of Protest by May 15, 2026, or within 30 days of your notice date, whichever is later. Use WCAD's online portal at https://www.wcad.org with your online passcode, mail the form included with your notice, or file in person at 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626.

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Step 3: Gather evidence to support your protest including comparable sales data from similar properties sold within the past year, photographs documenting property condition or needed repairs, recent appraisals, and equity analysis showing unequal appraisal compared to similar homes.

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Step 4: Attend the informal review meeting with a WCAD appraiser (typically scheduled the same day as your ARB hearing in Williamson County). Present your evidence and try to negotiate a settlement. This meeting typically lasts 15 minutes.

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Step 5: If no agreement is reached at the informal review, proceed to your formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. Present your evidence to the three-member panel. Hearings typically occur from May through July and last 15-30 minutes.

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Step 6: Receive the ARB's written order by certified mail or email. If you're still dissatisfied, you have three appeal options within 60 days: file an appeal to state district court, request binding arbitration through the Texas Comptroller, or appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) if your property value exceeds $1 million.

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Step 7: For district court appeals, you must file a petition within 60 days of receiving the ARB order and may need to pay the undisputed portion of your taxes before the delinquency date (January 31).

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

Filing Methods

online:File online at https://www.wcad.org using the online passcode provided on your appraisal notice. Search for your property and click the protest filing icon. Online protests may qualify for early hearing scheduling.
mail:Mail the Notice of Protest form (included with your appraisal notice) to Williamson Central Appraisal District, 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626-8050
in-person:Deliver protest form in person to Williamson Central Appraisal District, 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626-8050, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar properties sold within the past yearPhotographs showing property condition, damage, or needed repairsRecent professional appraisals or market analysisEquity analysis showing unequal appraisal compared to similar propertiesDocumentation of property defects or issues affecting valueRepair estimates for significant needed repairs

Williamson County Assessor Contact

Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD)

Phone: (512) 930-3787

Address: 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626-8050

Website: https://www.wcad.org

Online Portal: https://onlineappeals.wcad.org/User/Login

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tax Exemptions in Williamson County

General Residence Homestead Exemption

$140,000 for school district taxes (increased from $100,000 in 2024 under SB 4 and Proposition 13)

Reduces your home's taxable value for school district taxes and caps annual assessed value increases at 10%

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the tax year. Must provide a Texas driver's license or state ID showing the property address. Cannot claim homestead on another property.Deadline: April 30 (late applications accepted up to 2 years after the delinquency date)

Over 65 Exemption

Additional $60,000 minimum exemption for school districts (varies by jurisdiction). Many Williamson County taxing units offer $125,000 exemption. Freezes school tax dollar amount.

Provides an additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older and establishes a tax ceiling that freezes school district taxes at the current amount

Eligibility: At least one property owner must be 65 years or older. Must own and occupy as principal residence. Can apply anytime during the year you turn 65. Surviving spouse age 55+ may qualify.Deadline: Can apply anytime during the year you turn 65; general deadline April 30

Disabled Person Exemption

Minimum $60,000 exemption for school districts. Many Williamson County taxing units offer $125,000 exemption. Freezes county and road tax dollar amounts.

Provides exemption for homeowners receiving Social Security disability benefits and freezes county and road taxes

Eligibility: Must receive Social Security disability benefits or qualify under Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Act. Must own and occupy as principal residence.Deadline: April 30 (can apply retroactively up to 2 years)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption from all property taxes

Total exemption from property taxes for veterans with 100% service-connected disability rating

Eligibility: Must be rated as 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs Administration. Property must be your principal residence. Cannot claim homestead on another property.Deadline: April 30 (veterans have 5 years to apply retroactively)

Disabled Veteran Exemption (Partial)

$12,000 for 10-29% disabled; increases with disability percentage. Veterans 65+ with any disability rating receive full $12,000 exemption.

Partial exemption based on disability rating percentage for veterans with 10% or higher service-connected disability

Eligibility: Must have service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA. Surviving spouses and minor children may also qualify.Deadline: April 30 (can apply retroactively up to 5 years)

Official Resources

Williamson Central Appraisal District Official Website →

Access property searches, file protests online, apply for exemptions, and view your property records and appraisal information.

WCAD Online Protest Filing Portal →

File your property tax protest online, upload evidence, and track your protest status through WCAD's online appeal system.

Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information →

Official Texas state resource for property tax laws, exemptions, protest procedures, and taxpayer rights and remedies.

Texas Comptroller Protest and Appeals Guide →

Comprehensive guide to the property tax protest process, ARB hearings, and appeal options including district court, SOAH, and binding arbitration.

Check Your Williamson County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Williamson County for 2026?
The deadline to file your property tax protest in Williamson County is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to you, whichever is later. Williamson Central Appraisal District typically mails appraisal notices during the first week of April each year. It's critical to file by this deadline because missing it will forfeit your right to protest your property value for that tax year. You can file online at https://www.wcad.org using the passcode on your notice, by mail, or in person at the WCAD office.
How do I file a property tax protest online in Williamson County?
To file online in Williamson County, visit https://www.wcad.org and use the Property Search tool to locate your property. Your Notice of Appraised Value will contain an online passcode and a watermark indicating online eligibility. Click the online protest filing icon and enter your Quick Reference ID and online passcode. Online filing is the fastest method and may qualify you for early hearing scheduling. The online system is specifically designed for market value and unequal appraisal protests. If you're protesting for other reasons, you'll need to submit the paper form that came with your notice.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Williamson County in 2026?
The general residence homestead exemption in Williamson County provides a $140,000 reduction in taxable value for school district taxes, which was increased from $100,000 under Texas Senate Bill 4 and Proposition 13. This exemption applies only to school district taxes, not city or county taxes. The exemption also caps your annual assessed value increases at 10%. For a home valued at $370,100 (the county median), this exemption would save approximately $1,165 to $1,547 annually depending on your school district's tax rate. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, disabled persons, and veterans that can provide even greater savings.
What happens at an ARB hearing in Williamson County?
In Williamson County, the ARB hearing process typically begins with an informal 15-minute meeting with a WCAD appraiser on the same day as your formal hearing. During this informal meeting, you can present your evidence and discuss value with the appraiser to try to reach a settlement. If you can't agree, you proceed to the formal ARB hearing before a three-member citizen panel. The formal hearing typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Both you and the appraisal district will present evidence supporting your positions on the property's market value. You can appear in person, by phone, or by video conference. The ARB will make a binding decision and send you a written order by certified mail.
How much can I save by protesting my property taxes in Williamson County?
The amount you can save varies based on your property's circumstances, but many Williamson County homeowners receive reductions each year. With a median home value of $370,100 and an effective tax rate of 1.68%, even a 5% reduction in assessed value ($18,505) would save approximately $311 annually. A 10% reduction would save around $622 per year. These savings compound over time, and Texas law prevents the Chief Appraiser from increasing your market value without substantial evidence in the year following a successful protest, meaning your reduction often survives multiple years. The key is gathering strong comparable sales data and equity evidence.
What evidence do I need for a successful Williamson County property tax protest?
The most effective evidence for Williamson County protests includes recent comparable sales data from similar homes in your neighborhood sold within the past 6-12 months, adjusted for differences in size, condition, and features. You should also provide photographs showing any property condition issues, needed repairs, or damage that affects value. An equity analysis demonstrating that your property is assessed higher than similar properties (unequal appraisal) is very powerful. Other helpful evidence includes recent professional appraisals, repair estimates for significant needed work, documentation of foundation issues or other defects, and any factors that would make your home sell for less than the appraised value on January 1st of the tax year.
Can I appeal the ARB decision if I'm not satisfied with the outcome in Williamson County?
Yes, if you're dissatisfied with the ARB's decision in Williamson County, you have three appeal options that must be filed within 60 days of receiving the ARB's written order. First, you can appeal to the state district court in Williamson County by filing a petition (you may need an attorney for this option). Second, you can request binding arbitration through the Texas Comptroller's office if your property value is less than $5 million. Third, if your ARB-determined property value exceeds $1 million, you can appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Each option has specific filing requirements and deadlines, so it's important to act quickly after receiving the ARB's decision.
When will I receive my property tax bill in Williamson County after a protest?
Property tax bills in Williamson County are typically mailed in October each year. If your protest is still pending when tax bills are issued, you'll receive a bill showing the original appraised value. However, you're generally only required to pay the undisputed portion of your taxes (the amount not affected by your protest) by the January 31 deadline. If your protest is successful and your assessed value is reduced after you've paid, the taxing units will send you a refund for any overpayment. Property taxes are due by January 31, and a 7% penalty plus interest is added to any outstanding balance after February 1st.

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.wcad.org | https://www.wilcotx.gov/734/Property-Tax | https://www.ballardpropertytaxprotest.com/county/williamson | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/texas/williamson-county | https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/protests/ | https://www.texastaxprotest.com/trends/williamson-county-property-tax-protest/

Last verified: 2026-02-16