How Long Does a Property Tax Appeal Take?

Updated February 2026 · 7 min read

Most property tax appeals take 2-6 months from filing to decision. Informal reviews can resolve in 2-4 weeks. Formal hearings before a Board of Review typically take 2-6 months. Escalation to a state tribunal can extend to 6-18 months. According to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, reassessment cycles vary from annual (Texas) to triennial (Cook County, IL) to longer — and your appeal timeline depends heavily on your county’s backlog.

Appeal Timeline at a Glance

Stage	Timeline	Resolution Rate
Evidence preparation	Minutes (service) to weeks (DIY)	N/A
Informal review	2-4 weeks	~50% settled
Formal hearing	2-6 months	~85% of remaining
State tribunal / court	6-18 months	Final resolution

Stage 1: Preparing Your Evidence

Before filing, you need comparable sales evidence. The time varies by approach:

AppealDesk: $49 flat-fee property tax appeal evidence packet delivered in minutes. File the same day.
DIY: 15-40 hours over 1-3 weeks researching and formatting evidence.
Contingency service: They handle prep over 1-3 weeks.

Start as soon as you receive your assessment notice to avoid missing your filing deadline and to get an earlier hearing date.

Stage 2: Informal Review (2-4 Weeks)

Most counties offer an informal review — a phone call, email, or brief meeting with a county appraiser. About half of appeals settle here because it’s faster for the county than a formal hearing. Bring your best comparable sales evidence — if the data is strong, the appraiser may agree to a reduction on the spot.

Stage 3: Formal Hearing (2-6 Months)

If informal review doesn’t resolve it, you move to a formal hearing before a review board. Timeline depends on county backlog:

Low-volume counties: 4-8 weeks to hearing
High-volume counties (Harris Co. TX, Cook Co. IL): 3-6 months
Decision after hearing: Mailed within 2-4 weeks

Most hearings last 15-30 minutes. The National Taxpayers Union Foundation reports that well-prepared appeals succeed 40-60% of the time nationally. Many counties now offer phone or video hearings, which schedule faster.

Stage 4: State Tribunal or Court (6-18 Months)

Further appeal to a state tribunal or court is rarely needed for residential properties. It takes 6-18 months and usually requires legal representation. The formal hearing resolves about 85% of all appeals.

Check If You're Overassessed — Free

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5 Ways to Speed Up Your Appeal

File immediately after your assessment notice. Earlier filers get earlier hearing dates.
Submit complete evidence upfront. Incomplete filings get delayed by document requests.
Request informal review. Settles ~50% of cases in 2-4 weeks.
Choose phone or written hearings. Faster than in-person scheduling.
Use a professional evidence service. AppealDesk delivers in minutes so you can file same-day.

Do You Still Pay Taxes While Pending?

Yes — always pay on time. Late penalties (typically 1-1.5%/month) accrue regardless of appeal status. If you win, you get a refund or credit for the overpayment.

Timelines by State

State	Informal	Formal	Total
Texas	2-4 weeks	1-4 months	2-5 months
Illinois (Cook Co.)	2-3 weeks	3-6 months	3-7 months
California	1-2 months	3-12 months	4-14 months
New York	N/A	2-6 months	2-6 months
Florida	2-3 weeks	1-3 months	2-4 months

Frequently Asked Questions

How long until I see savings on my bill?

Savings appear on your next bill after the decision. If resolved before the bill is issued, the reduction is immediate. Otherwise expect a refund within 1-2 cycles.

What if I miss the deadline?

You wait until the next assessment cycle. Meanwhile, check for exemptions and request factual error corrections — these can often be filed outside the appeal window.