Key Takeaways:
- Texas: May 15 or 30 days after Notice of Appraised Value is mailed — whichever is later (Comptroller).
- California: July 2–Sept 15 or Nov 30 by county (BOE LTA 2026/023).
- Georgia: 45 days from Annual Notice of Assessment (PT-311A to county assessors).
- Florida: 25 days after TRIM mailing for VAB valuation petitions (county-specific).
- New Jersey: Usually April 1 (or Jan 15 / May 1 special calendars); must be received, not just postmarked.
- Maryland: 45 days from SDAT Notice of Assessment on reassessment.
- Always confirm the deadline printed on your notice — day-count rules can extend fixed calendar dates.
When is the deadline to protest or appeal property taxes in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, and Maryland — plus how to confirm the date on your notice.
This guide is for general education only. It is not legal advice. Always confirm the date printed on your assessment or appraisal notice and with your county office.
This article answers deadline for protesting property taxes for TaxDrop states: TX, CA, GA, FL, NJ, and MD. It complements TaxDrop county pages and the Texas protest deadline 2026 guide. Other U.S. states use different boards, forms, and calendars.
Quick answer: deadlines at a glance
| State | Typical deadline rule | Where you usually file |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | May 15 or 30 days after Notice of Appraised Value is mailed — whichever is later | County appraisal district / ARB |
| California | Opens July 2; ends Sept 15 or Nov 30 by county (notice mailing by Aug 1) | Assessment Appeals Board / Clerk of the Board |
| Georgia | 45 days from Annual Notice of Assessment | County Board of Tax Assessors (PT-311A) |
| Florida | 25 days after TRIM notice is mailed | County VAB clerk |
| New Jersey | Most counties: April 1 or 45 days after bulk mailing (later date). Reval towns often May 1. Burlington/Gloucester/Monmouth: January 15 | County Board of Taxation (must be received) |
| Maryland | 45 days from SDAT Notice of Assessment (reassessment) | SDAT |
How to confirm your date: Open your notice and find the protest/appeal/petition deadline line. That printed date controls when it differs from the statewide rule of thumb.
Texas property tax protest deadline
The rule
Per the Texas Comptroller, file a written notice of protest by May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails your Notice of Appraised Value — whichever is later. The 30-day clock runs from mailing, not from when you open the envelope. A late notice can push your personal deadline past May 15.
How to confirm on your notice
- Find the Notice of Appraised Value (paper or CAD portal).
- Read the protest deadline printed on the notice.
- Check your appraisal district account (e.g., HCAD, DCAD).
- If May 15 falls on a weekend/holiday, follow your district’s next-business-day rule.
County walkthroughs: Harris County and Texas deadline 2026.
If you miss it
You usually lose the normal ARB path for that tax year. Texas has limited late-protest/correction paths in narrow cases — treat them as exceptions, not a backup plan. Not legal advice.
California property tax appeal deadline
The rule
Per the California BOE and Revenue & Taxation Code §1603: filing opens July 2. It ends September 15 if the Assessor mailed secured-roll value notices by August 1; otherwise November 30.
For 2026, BOE LTA 2026/023 (June 2, 2026) certified counties. Sept 15, 2026: Alameda, Alpine, Inyo, Kings, Mono, Placer, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Sierra, Ventura. Nov 30, 2026: most others, including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, San Bernardino, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara. Confirm your county on the BOE letter. Supplemental/escape assessments often use a separate ~60-day clock.
How to confirm on your notice
- Keep the Assessor’s value notice.
- File with the Clerk of the Board / Assessment Appeals Board — not the Assessor.
- Check the county’s published 2026 deadline.
- Distinguish regular vs supplemental appeals (different clocks).
If you miss it
You generally cannot pursue that year’s regular appeal. Limited other paths exist; confirm with your county appeals clerk.
Georgia property tax appeal deadline
The rule
Per Georgia DOR, file form PT-311A with your County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of the assessment notice date. Do not send it to the state DOR. There is no single statewide calendar date — counties mail on different schedules (e.g., some Fulton owners saw July 31, 2026). Always use the deadline on your notice.
How to confirm on your notice
- Locate the Annual Notice of Assessment.
- Find “Last date to file a written appeal.”
- Count 45 days from the notice date if needed, then verify with the county.
- File online, by mail, or in person per county instructions.
If you miss it
Notices commonly warn that missing the deadline means your appeal right for that year is lost. Informal talks do not replace a timely written appeal.
Florida property tax protest (VAB) deadline
The rule
Per Florida DOR (PT-101 / taxpayer pages), petition the VAB within 25 days after the Property Appraiser mails your TRIM notice (often mid-August). No single statewide day — deadlines often fall in early/mid-September (e.g., Martin County listed Sept 8, 2026). Your TRIM deadline controls. An informal conference does not extend the VAB deadline.
How to confirm on your notice
- Keep your TRIM notice; find the VAB deadline.
- File Form DR-486 (or e-file) with the VAB clerk — not the Florida DOR.
- Confirm whether the petition must be received by the deadline.
- Note any county filing fee.
If you miss it
Late petitions may need good-cause review and are not guaranteed. Missing VAB usually closes that administrative path for the year.
New Jersey property tax appeal deadline
The rule
Per the NJ Division of Taxation and Form A-1 instructions:
- Most municipalities: received by County Board of Taxation by April 1 or 45 days after bulk mailing of assessment notices — whichever is later.
- Reval/reassessment towns: generally May 1.
- Burlington, Gloucester, Monmouth: January 15 or 45 days after bulk mailing — whichever later.
Appeals must be received, not merely postmarked. Weekend/holiday deadlines typically move to the next business day.
How to confirm on your notice
- Keep your Notification of Assessment.
- Note reval status or alternate-calendar county.
- Confirm bulk-mailing completion if using the 45-day extension.
- File so the County Board receives it on time.
If you miss it
Late appeals are typically dismissed as untimely. NJ Chapter 123 rules can affect outcomes — TaxDrop discloses that risk before you file.
Maryland property tax appeal deadline
The rule
Per Maryland SDAT, on reassessment (about every three years) appeal within 45 days of the notice date. Other paths: Petition for Review by the first working day after January 1 in non-reassessment years; appeal upon purchase within 60 days of transfer if you buy Jan 1–June 30. PTAAB and Tax Court have separate 30-day follow-on windows.
How to confirm on your notice
- Read the Notice of Assessment date and printed deadline.
- File online with your control number or return the paper form.
- If no notice in a non-reassessment year, check Petition for Review timing.
- Track PTAAB / Tax Court deadlines if you continue.
If you miss it
Missing the 45-day reassessment window does not reopen that appeal; a Petition for Review may be available for a following year in many situations.
How to confirm any state’s deadline
- Find the official notice.
- Circle the printed deadline.
- Note the mailing/notice date (many states count from it).
- Confirm the correct filing office.
- Confirm received vs postmarked rules.
- File on time even if evidence is still incomplete.
What if you miss the deadline?
- Timely filing preserves rights; late valuation appeals are usually barred for that year.
- Limited exceptions (good cause, notice failure, next-cycle petitions) are narrow.
- Talking to the assessor rarely extends a statutory deadline.
- If you missed this year, calendar next season now.
Other states differ
Outside TX, CA, GA, FL, NJ, and MD, deadlines and venues vary widely. Start with your state tax site and your notice — do not assume May 15 or September 15 applies.
How TaxDrop can help before the deadline
Free address check on taxdrop.com. Live pricing:
- TaxDrop One — $129/property/year self-guided platform with forms, evidence support, and consultant review; refunded if no reduction.
- TaxDrop Pro — full-service in select Texas counties at 1% of assessment reduction, pay only if reduced. Check address availability.
Confirm your notice deadline today, then choose DIY vs One vs Pro based on time and coverage — not invented win rates or savings.
FAQs
When is the deadline to protest property taxes?
It depends on your state. Texas: May 15 or 30 days after notice mailed (later date). California: July 2–Sept 15 or Nov 30 by county. Georgia: 45 days from assessment notice. Florida VAB: 25 days after TRIM. New Jersey: usually April 1 (or Jan 15 / May 1 special calendars). Maryland reassessment: 45 days from SDAT notice.
Is the deadline the same in every county?
The rule is often statewide, but the calendar date can differ because notices mail on different days. Always use the date on your notice.
Where do I find the deadline on my notice?
Look for protest deadline, last day to file an appeal, or petition deadline. If only a notice date appears, apply your state’s day-count and confirm with the filing office.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
In most states you lose the standard administrative appeal for that tax year. Limited late paths are exceptions. Calendar the next cycle immediately.
Does talking to the assessor extend my deadline?
Usually no. Florida DOR states an informal conference does not extend the VAB deadline. File on time even if talks are ongoing.
Can TaxDrop help if my deadline is soon?
If your address is supported, start at taxdrop.com or the pricing page as soon as you have the notice.
Do other states use these same dates?
No. This article focuses on TaxDrop’s states (TX, CA, GA, FL, NJ, MD).
Sources (official)
- Texas Comptroller — Appraisal Protests and Appeals
- California BOE — Property Tax Calendar; LTA 2026/023
- Georgia DOR — PT-311A / 45-day appeal
- Florida DOR — Disagree with value; PT-101
- NJ Division of Taxation — Assessment and Appeals
- Maryland SDAT — Assessment Appeal Process
- TaxDrop — Pricing
Educational content only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify all deadlines with your notice and the official offices linked above.
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FAQs
When is the deadline to protest property taxes?
It depends on your state. Texas is generally May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed (whichever is later). California’s regular window runs July 2 to September 15 or November 30 by county. Georgia is 45 days from the assessment notice. Florida VAB valuation petitions are generally 25 days after TRIM mailing. New Jersey is usually April 1 (or January 15 / May 1 in special calendars). Maryland reassessment appeals are generally 45 days from the SDAT notice date.
Is the deadline the same in every county?
Often the rule is statewide, but the calendar date can differ by county because notices mail on different days (Texas 30-day extension, Florida TRIM + 25 days, Georgia 45 days, California Sept 15 vs Nov 30 list). Always use the date on your notice.
Where do I find the deadline on my notice?
Look for wording like protest deadline, last day to file an appeal, petition deadline, or last date to file a written appeal. If only a notice date appears, apply your state’s day-count rule and confirm with the filing office.
What happens if I miss the property tax protest deadline?
In most states you lose the standard administrative appeal for that tax year. Limited late or alternate paths may exist; they are exceptions. Calendar the next cycle immediately.
Does talking to the assessor extend my deadline?
Usually no. Florida’s Department of Revenue states that an informal conference does not extend the VAB petition deadline. Similar caution applies elsewhere: file on time even if talks are ongoing.
Can TaxDrop help if my deadline is soon?
If your address is in a supported market, start at taxdrop.com or the pricing page as soon as you have the notice. Deadlines are strict; do not wait until the final day to begin.
Do other states use these same dates?
No. Other states differ. This article focuses on TaxDrop’s states (TX, CA, GA, FL, NJ, MD).
