AppealDesk
Rob Hartley

Rob Hartley

Founder, AppealDesk · February 28, 2026

Texas Property Tax Appeal Deadline 2026: Don't Miss May 15

Updated March 2026

The deadline to appeal your 2026 Texas property tax assessment is May 15, 2026.

That's 76 days from today. If you miss it, you're locked into your current assessment for the entire year.

Key Texas Property Tax Appeal Deadlines

  • Notice Mailed: By April 1 (most counties mail in March)
  • Appeal Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after notice (whichever is later)
  • ARB Hearings: June through August
  • Tax Bills Sent: October
  • Taxes Due: January 31, 2027

What If You Haven't Received Your Notice Yet?

Texas law requires counties to mail notices by April 1. If you haven't received yours:

  1. Check online at your county appraisal district website
  2. Call your appraisal district directly
  3. Important: The deadline is still May 15 even if you claim you didn't receive notice

Most Texas counties now post values online in late February or early March.

Can You Get an Extension?

Sometimes. Texas allows extensions for "good cause" including:

  • Military deployment
  • Medical emergency
  • Death in immediate family
  • Natural disaster

Regular travel or "I forgot" don't qualify. Extensions must be requested in writing before May 15.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Missing May 15 means:

  • You cannot appeal your 2026 assessment
  • You'll pay taxes on the full assessed value
  • Your next chance is May 15, 2027
  • No refunds for overpayment

The average Texas homeowner who appeals saves $1,675 per year. Missing the deadline costs you that entire savings.

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How to File Your Texas Property Tax Appeal

  1. File the Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) by May 15
  2. Minimal info required: Name, address, reason for protest
  3. Submit online, mail, or in-person to your appraisal district
  4. Keep proof of filing (certified mail receipt, online confirmation)

You don't need all your evidence on May 15 — just the protest form. Evidence comes later.

Texas-Specific Appeal Grounds

Texas Property Tax Code Section 41.41 allows protests for:

  • Excessive value (market value too high)
  • Unequal appraisal (unfair compared to similar properties)
  • Wrong exemptions
  • Agricultural/special use denial

Most successful: Unequal appraisal wins 89% of the time with proper evidence.

County-Specific Deadlines to Know

Harris County (Houston)

  • Online filing available through iFile
  • Informal hearings via phone
  • Highest volume = book early

Dallas County

  • Evidence deadline: 14 days before hearing
  • Settlement offers common in June

Bexar County (San Antonio)

  • Quick informal process
  • High success rate for documented appeals

Travis County (Austin)

  • Competitive market = aggressive assessments
  • Comparable sales crucial

Don't Wait Until May 14

Here's what happens in May at appraisal districts:

  • May 1-7: Manageable, quick service
  • May 8-12: Getting busy, longer waits
  • May 13-14: Chaos, website crashes, hours-long lines
  • May 15: System overload, risk missing deadline

File early. Seriously.

What You Need to File

Minimum requirements for May 15:

  • ✓ Property address
  • ✓ Owner name
  • ✓ Reason for protest (check a box)
  • ✓ Signature

That's it. Evidence comes later, but you must file the protest by May 15.

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The Cost of Waiting

Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your appeal rights. Consider:

Typical Texas property:

  • Assessed value: $400,000
  • Over-assessment: 15% ($60,000)
  • Annual tax savings if you win: $1,500
  • 10-year savings: $15,000

All lost if you miss May 15.

Quick Action Plan

  1. Today: Check your 2026 assessment online
  2. This Week: Gather comparable sales
  3. By May 1: File your protest (don't wait)
  4. May-June: Prepare evidence for hearing

Get Help Before It's Too Late

AppealDesk generates complete Texas appeal packets with:

  • Form 50-132 pre-filled
  • County-specific evidence format
  • Comparable sales analysis
  • Proven argument structure
  • Step-by-step filing guide

Everything you need to meet the May 15 deadline and win your appeal.

Remember: May 15 Is Absolute

No exceptions. No excuses. No second chances.

The counties count on procrastination. They know most people will "get to it later" and miss the deadline.

Don't be most people. Your assessment notice is sitting there. The deadline is approaching. Every day matters.

76 days until May 15. What will you do?