How to Win Your El Paso County Property Tax Protest in 2026

El Paso County homeowners are facing a frustrating reality in 2026.

Home prices dropped 7.5% — but property tax assessments didn't follow. Many homeowners are seeing assessed values that are higher than what their home would actually sell for.

If you live in El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, or anywhere in El Paso County, your 2026 Notice of Appraised Value probably doesn't match market reality.

Here's the good news: 85-90% of El Paso County homeowners who protest their EPCAD assessment get a reduction. But only about 5% actually file.

Don't be part of the 95% who overpay. Here's exactly how to protest your El Paso County property taxes and win.

The El Paso County Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026

El Paso Central Appraisal District (EPCAD) will mail your Notice of Appraised Value in April 2026.

From the date it's mailed, you have 30 days to file your protest. For most El Paso County homeowners, that deadline falls on or around May 15, 2026.

Miss it, and you're stuck with whatever EPCAD says your home is worth. No appeals. No do-overs. You'll overpay for an entire year.

Action step: When your notice arrives in April, check your assessed value immediately. If it's higher than recent sales in your neighborhood — especially if prices dropped — file a protest.

Why El Paso Property Taxes Don't Match Market Reality

Here's what's happening in El Paso County in 2026:

• Home prices down 7.5% in 2025 — median sale price: $246K (Redfin)
• County tax rate proposed to increase 14.42% — from $0.426 to $0.488 per $100
• Average homeowner tax bill increase: 23.4% — $200+ more per year
• City of El Paso lowered rate to $0.76 — lowest in a decade

So prices dropped, but your tax bill went up. How does that make sense?

It doesn't. That's why you need to protest.

EPCAD uses mass appraisal systems to value properties. These computer models process thousands of homes at once — and they don't always reflect current market conditions, especially in a cooling market.

Common errors:

• Assessed value higher than actual sale prices in your neighborhood
• Wrong square footage (often 50-200+ sq ft too high)
• Features you don't have (garage, pool, extra bathroom)
• Outdated comparable sales from when prices were higher
• Condition issues ignored (aging roof, foundation problems, desert climate wear)
• Unequal appraisal (your home valued higher than similar properties)

Even a 5-10% overassessment costs you hundreds per year. And it compounds — every year, you're overpaying on an inflated base.

The El Paso County Protest Process: Step-by-Step

Here's what happens when you protest your EPCAD assessment:

Step 1: File Your Protest (Deadline: May 15, 2026)

You can file online through EPCAD's website at epcad.org or mail a paper protest form (Form 50-132). Online is faster and you get instant confirmation.

What you need:

• Your property account number (on your Notice of Appraised Value)
• Reason for protest (excessive appraisal, unequal appraisal, or errors)
• Your opinion of value (what you think your home is actually worth)

Important: You don't need evidence when you file. Just file before May 15. You can gather evidence later.

EPCAD contact: (915) 780-2123

Step 2: Informal Review (Highly Recommended)

After you file, EPCAD typically offers an informal review with an appraiser. This happens before any formal hearing.

Why this matters: 75-85% of El Paso County protests settle at the informal stage. If you and the appraiser agree on a lower value, you're done. No hearing needed.

What to bring:

• 3-5 comparable sales (similar homes that sold for less in 2025-2026)
• Photos of condition issues (roof damage, stucco cracks, outdated features, desert wear)
• Proof of errors (wrong square footage, features you don't have)
• Data showing your neighborhood's price decline

Be professional. Be factual. Most EPCAD appraisers are reasonable and will reduce your value if you bring solid evidence.

Step 3: Formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) Hearing

If the informal review doesn't work, you'll get a formal hearing with the Appraisal Review Board.

When: Typically June-July 2026
Where: EPCAD offices in El Paso or virtual (Zoom available)
How long: 15-20 minutes

You present your evidence. The EPCAD appraiser presents theirs. The ARB panel (made up of local El Paso County residents) decides.

Pro tip: Stay calm and factual. The ARB isn't there to defend EPCAD — they're there to ensure fairness. Present clear evidence and you'll likely get a reduction.

Step 4: Receive Your Decision

You'll get a written decision within a few days. If the ARB reduces your value, EPCAD sends an updated assessment and your tax bill reflects the lower amount.

If you're still not satisfied, you can appeal to district court or binding arbitration — but most El Paso County homeowners don't need to go that far.

5 Strategies to Win Your El Paso Protest

Here's what actually works in El Paso County:

1. Pull Comparable Sales (The Strongest Evidence in a Down Market)

This is especially powerful in 2026. Home prices dropped 7.5% in El Paso. Find 3-5 homes that:

• Sold within the last 6-12 months (especially Q4 2025 or Q1 2026)
• Are within 0.5 miles of your property
• Are similar in size, age, and condition
• Sold for less than your assessed value

Where to find them: Zillow, Realtor.com, HAR.com, or ask a local realtor in El Paso.

How to use them: Create a simple spreadsheet showing address, sale date, sale price, square footage, and price per square foot. Show the ARB that your assessed value is higher than actual market sales.

2. Prove Unequal Appraisal

Unequal appraisal happens when your home is valued higher than similar homes in your neighborhood — even if your assessed value matches market value.

Example:

• Your home: 1,800 sq ft, assessed at $252,000 ($140/sq ft)
• Neighbor A: 1,800 sq ft, assessed at $225,000 ($125/sq ft)
• Neighbor B: 1,900 sq ft, assessed at $228,000 ($120/sq ft)

Your home is assessed 12-17% higher per square foot than comparable properties. That's unequal appraisal, and it's grounds for a reduction.

Where to get data: Search EPCAD's website at epcad.org for property records by address. Compare assessed values of similar homes on your street or in your subdivision.

3. Fix Errors in EPCAD's Property Records

EPCAD's data isn't perfect. Common mistakes include:

• Square footage wrong (often overstated)
• Extra bedrooms or bathrooms that don't exist
• Features listed that you don't have (pool, upgraded kitchen, covered patio)
• Lot size incorrect
• Year built wrong
• Condition rating too high

How to check: Look up your property on EPCAD's website. Compare what they have on file to what you actually have.

How to fix it: Bring photos, floor plans, or a private appraisal showing the correct details.

4. Document Condition Issues (Especially Desert Climate Wear)

El Paso's desert climate is tough on homes. If your home has damage or deferred maintenance, document it:

• Foundation problems (cracks, settling from dry soil)
• Roof age and condition (desert sun accelerates aging)
• Stucco cracks or exterior damage
• HVAC issues or old evaporative cooler system
• Outdated interiors (1990s kitchen, old bathrooms)
• Water damage, plumbing issues, or structural problems

How to prove it: Take clear photos. Get repair estimates from local El Paso contractors. Show that your home's condition doesn't support the assessed value.

5. Let TaxDrop Handle It for You

Most El Paso County homeowners don't have time to research comps, attend hearings, and negotiate with EPCAD appraisers.

TaxDrop handles the entire protest process for you:

• Gather comparable sales and evidence
• File your protest before the May 15 deadline
• Attend informal reviews and ARB hearings on your behalf
• Negotiate with EPCAD to get the largest possible reduction

We use a no win, no fee model. If we don't reduce your property taxes by at least $500, you pay nothing. If we do save you money, we charge 25% of your first-year savings. You keep 75% — and 100% of savings every year after.

Common El Paso Protest Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Missing the May 15 deadline
File as soon as you get your notice in April. Don't wait until the last minute.

Mistake #2: Not bringing evidence
"My taxes are too high" isn't evidence. Bring comps, photos, and data.

Mistake #3: Arguing about tax rates
The ARB only decides property value. They don't control tax rates or the county's 23.4% increase. Focus on value, not your total bill.

Mistake #4: Getting emotional or confrontational
Stay calm and professional. Present facts, not feelings.

Mistake #5: Skipping the informal review
Most El Paso protests settle informally. Don't skip this step — it's your best chance for a quick resolution.

How Much Can You Save?

Most successful El Paso County protests result in a 5-15% reduction in assessed value.

Example for an El Paso homeowner:

• Current assessed value: $250,000
• Protest reduces it to: $225,000
• Combined effective tax rate: 1.73%
• Annual savings: $432

That's $432 per year. Every year. Over 10 years, that's $4,320 in savings.

For homeowners in higher-value neighborhoods like the Westside or Northeast El Paso, the savings can easily exceed $800-1,200 per year.

El Paso County Protest Checklist for 2026

☐ April 2026: Receive your Notice of Appraised Value

Check your assessed value. Compare it to recent sales in El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, or your area.

☐ By May 15, 2026: File your protest

File online at epcad.org or call (915) 780-2123. Or let TaxDrop file for you.

☐ May-June 2026: Gather your evidence

• Pull 3-5 comparable sales from your neighborhood (focus on 2025-2026 sales showing price decline)
• Check EPCAD's property record for errors at epcad.org
• Take photos of condition issues (stucco cracks, roof wear, outdated features)
• Research unequal appraisal (compare to neighbors' assessments)

☐ June 2026: Attend informal review

Bring your evidence. Be prepared to negotiate. Most protests settle here.

☐ June-July 2026: ARB hearing (if needed)

Present your case clearly and factually.

☐ July-August 2026: Receive decision and updated assessment

If you won a reduction, your tax bill will reflect the lower value.

El Paso County-Specific Tips

Tip #1: Use 2025 price decline data

Home prices in El Paso dropped 7.5% year-over-year. That's your strongest argument. Pull recent comps showing lower sale prices than your assessed value.

Tip #2: Focus on desert climate wear and tear

El Paso's extreme heat and dry climate accelerate home aging. Document stucco cracks, roof wear, HVAC strain, and foundation settling. These are legitimate condition issues that justify lower values.

Tip #3: Socorro and Horizon City saw different patterns

If you live in Socorro or Horizon City, check whether your neighborhood followed the county-wide price decline. Some areas held steady while others dropped more. Use hyper-local comps.

Tip #4: County tax rate increase makes protests even more valuable

With the county proposing a 14.42% tax rate increase, every dollar you reduce your assessed value saves you more in 2026. The higher the rate, the bigger your protest savings.

Tip #5: Don't compare El Paso to Austin or Dallas markets

EPCAD may use statewide trends to justify values. Push back. El Paso's market is unique — prices dropped while other Texas metros stayed flat or rose. Use local El Paso data only.

The Bottom Line

85-90% of El Paso County homeowners who protest get a reduction. But only 5% actually file.

In 2026, with prices down 7.5% and tax rates up 14.42%, protesting isn't optional — it's essential.

File your protest before May 15, 2026. Bring evidence. Stay factual.

Or let TaxDrop handle it. We file, we gather evidence, we attend hearings, we negotiate. You only pay if we save you at least $500.

Ready to reduce your El Paso County property taxes? Get a free savings estimate at TaxDrop.com in under 2 minutes.