A Harris County property tax protest is a formal challenge to the value HCAD (Harris Central Appraisal District) placed on your property as of January 1. You are not arguing that your tax bill is too high. You are showing that the appraised value is wrong, because it is above market value or above what comparable properties are appraised at.

Where things stand: 2026 is closed, 2027 prep starts now

The 2026 protest deadline for Harris County was May 15, 2026 (or 30 days after HCAD mailed your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever was later). That window has closed. A late protest is only heard if the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) finds good cause, and only before it approves the appraisal records, so for tax year 2026 it is effectively over for most owners. Your 2026 tax bill is still due by January 31, 2027.

What you can do now is get ready for tax year 2027, which is when the next value notice arrives:

Check your 2026 exemptions. A missing homestead exemption can cost more than an overassessment. The general homestead exemption takes $140,000 off the assessed value for school taxes, and owners 65 or older get an additional $60,000 and a tax ceiling. See our Texas homestead exemption guide.
Start an evidence file. Save photos of condition problems, repair estimates, your closing statement if you bought recently, and any inspection or appraisal report dated near January 1, 2027.
Get your estimate early. Compare TaxDrop One and TaxDrop Pro and see your estimated savings so you know whether a protest is worth it before notices go out.

Harris County protest calendar: what to expect in 2027

January 1: the valuation date. HCAD values your property as of this day.
Early April to May 1: HCAD mails Notices of Appraised Value (Texas law sets April 1 for homesteads and May 1 for other property, or as soon as practical after). Check the mail date printed on the notice, because it controls your deadline.
Online filing: HCAD's Electronic Filing and Notice System and iFile let you file online, and your notice carries an iFile number. Homeowners can also use iSettle, where HCAD proposes a value from your opinion of value.
Protest deadline: May 15, or 30 days after HCAD mails your notice, whichever is later. In 2027, May 15 falls on a Saturday, so under the weekend rule the deadline moves to Monday, May 17, 2027, unless your notice shows a later date. Always use the date on your notice.
Late May to summer: informal reviews, then ARB hearings. The ARB must give you at least 15 days' notice of your hearing.
July 25: the appraisal roll is certified. Tax bills go out in the fall and are due by January 31.

How to file a Harris County property tax protest with HCAD

Read your Notice of Appraised Value. It lists your appraised value, exemptions, your account number, an iFile number and the protest deadline for your property.
Pick your grounds. Market value, unequal appraisal, or both.
File before the deadline. File online with iFile or your HCAD owner account, or use Form 50-132 by mail (postmarked by the deadline) or in person at 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. HCAD has no after-hours drop box. There is no filing fee.
Use iSettle if it fits. For a residence homestead you give your opinion of value, HCAD proposes a value, and accepting it ends the protest. If you reject it, you go straight to an ARB hearing.
Review HCAD's evidence. Once your hearing is scheduled you can review the evidence HCAD plans to use through iFile.
Attend the ARB hearing if you do not settle. Bring organized copies of your evidence for each of the three panel members and tell the panel at the start if unequal appraisal is an issue.

You do not need your full evidence packet on the day you file. You need to file on time and then build the case before the informal review or hearing.

What evidence works at HCAD and the ARB

Market value: recent sales of similar homes near you, adjusted for size, age, condition and location.
Unequal appraisal: a list of comparable properties appraised lower than yours. Texas law lets you win on this ground even when your value is close to market.
Condition: dated photos, contractor repair estimates, foundation or roof reports, and flood or drainage history.
Record errors: wrong square footage, a pool or garage you do not have, or an unfinished remodel valued as complete.
Your opinion of value: a specific number. HCAD cannot make a settlement offer without one.

HCAD also publishes its ARB hearing rules and procedures on hcad.org. Read them before your hearing, including how many copies of evidence the panel expects.

Informal review vs the ARB hearing

Most protests are settled before a formal hearing. In Harris County, HCAD offers iSettle for homeowners and informal conferences with appraisers before the formal hearing. If you do not settle, your protest goes to a three-member ARB panel. The panel hears your evidence and the appraiser's, then issues a written order. You can attend in person, by telephone or videoconference, or file a written affidavit instead of appearing. Bring organized copies of your evidence, and keep it short and documented. Opinions without data rarely move the panel.

If you disagree with the ARB order

You can file a petition for review in state district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's written order. Depending on the property, you may also be able to use State Office of Administrative Hearings review or binding arbitration. Talk to a qualified professional before choosing that route. For the rules, see the Texas Comptroller's protest guide.

DIY, TaxDrop One or TaxDrop Pro

TaxDrop Pro is full service: licensed Texas consultants file the protest, build the evidence, and represent you at the informal review and, if needed, the ARB hearing. The fee is 1% of the assessment reduction we win (a $50,000 reduction is a $500 fee) and nothing if we do not lower your value. TaxDrop One is the do-it-yourself filing packet: comparable evidence, a recommended value and the county forms for $129 per property per tax year. Harris County is covered by both. TaxDrop Pro is available in 17 Texas counties and TaxDrop One in 43; we do not file in all 254.

Not sure which fits? Start with your estimate. The Texas property tax consultant page explains how we work statewide.

Related TaxDrop resources

Harris County property tax protest and appeal services

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Common Mistakes

Missing the deadline - Use the date on your notice. Late protests need good cause.
Arguing the tax bill - Protest the appraised value, not the tax rate.
Using weak comparables - Use recent sales and appraisals of similar homes close to yours.
Skipping the opinion of value - Online settlement offers need a specific number and evidence.
Ignoring exemptions - A missing homestead exemption can cost more than an overassessment.

How the Process Works

Step 1: Read your notice
Find the value, your exemptions and the deadline printed on it.

Step 2: File your protest
File before the deadline. Filing is free and you do not need your full evidence yet.

Step 3: Build your evidence
Comparable sales, unequal appraisal comparables, photos, estimates and your opinion of value.

Step 4: Informal review
Settle with the appraisal district if the offer matches your evidence.

Step 5: ARB hearing
A three-member panel hears both sides if you do not settle.

Step 6: Order and your bill
A lower value flows into your tax bill, which is due by January 31.

Key Filing Details

2027 filing deadline:

May 15, or 30 days after HCAD mails your notice, whichever is later
May 15, 2027 is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to Monday, May 17, 2027 unless your notice shows a later date
Late protests are heard only for good cause, before the ARB approves the appraisal records
No filing fee

What to have ready:

Your Notice of Appraised Value (account number and deadline)
Comparable sales or comparable appraisals
Dated photos and repair estimates for condition issues
Your opinion of value

Where to file:

Harris Central Appraisal District, 13013 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77040 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Online: iFile at hcad.org.

Official resources:

FAQs

When is the Harris County property tax protest deadline?

The deadline is May 15, or 30 days after HCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. If May 15 falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the next business day. In 2027 that is Monday, May 17, unless your notice shows a later date. The 2026 deadline has passed; start preparing now for 2027.

How do I file a Harris County property tax protest?

The fastest way is online through HCAD's Electronic Filing and Notice System or iFile, using the iFile number on your notice. You can also mail Form 50-132, postmarked by the deadline, or deliver it to HCAD at 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, during office hours.

Can I still protest my 2026 Harris County value?

Usually not. A late protest is only heard if the ARB finds good cause and you file before the ARB approves the appraisal records. Good cause means something outside your control. Plan for the 2027 notice instead.

What are iFile and iSettle?

iFile is HCAD's online protest filing and evidence system. iSettle is HCAD's homeowner settlement tool: you file and give your opinion of value, HCAD proposes a value, and if you accept it the protest is over. If you reject it, you are scheduled for an ARB hearing.

What happens at a Harris County ARB hearing?

A three-member panel hears the HCAD appraiser present the district's evidence, then you present yours and answer questions. The ARB issues a written order. If you disagree, you can file in state district court within 60 days, or use other review routes depending on the property.

What evidence works in an HCAD protest?

Recent sales of similar homes, a list of comparable properties appraised lower than yours (unequal appraisal), dated photos of condition or flood damage, repair estimates, and corrections to errors in your property record.

Is a homestead exemption the same as a protest?

No. An exemption reduces the taxable value; a protest challenges the appraised value. They stack, so check that your exemptions are in place and then protest if the value is too high. See our Texas homestead exemption guide.

How much does TaxDrop cost for a Harris County protest?

TaxDrop Pro, full service, is 1% of the assessment reduction we win and nothing if we do not lower your value. TaxDrop One is a $129 per property per tax year filing packet you file yourself. Both are available for Harris County.

What should I do now, after the 2026 deadline?

Confirm your homestead and other exemptions, keep an evidence file (photos, estimates, inspection or appraisal reports), and check your estimated savings so you are ready when your 2027 notice arrives.