Hays County homeowners overpay $1,250/year due to assessment errors. We fix that.
β 100% Done-for-You - We handle everything
β Licensed Tax Pros - Texas experts
β Only Pay If We Win - 25% contingency
If you just opened your Hays County property tax bill and felt that familiar punch to the gut, you're not alone. With the median home in San Marcos now assessed at $409,000 and Kyle properties jumping 15-25% annually, thousands of homeowners are paying hundreds more than they should. The truth? Hays CAD processes over 200,000 properties with limited staff, and assessment errors are more common than you think.
Your property gets valued using automated models that can't see your home's unique issues. That foundation crack? The outdated kitchen? The busy road noise? The computer doesn't know. Meanwhile, your neighbor with the renovated house might have the same assessment as your fixer-upper. We've seen $400,000 homes in Buda assessed identically to $320,000 properties three streets over. These aren't rare mistakes β they're systematic problems that cost you real money every month.
Every month you wait costs you approximately $109 if you're overpaying by $1,311 annually. That's your streaming services, gym membership, and coffee budget combined. Over five years, that's $6,555 you'll never get back. The appeals process exists because the state knows assessments aren't perfect β but only 3% of homeowners actually use it. The other 97% just keep overpaying.
Hays County's explosive growth creates unique challenges. New construction in Dripping Springs affects older home values in unpredictable ways. The I-35 corridor development impacts properties differently than Hill Country locations. Generic protest companies miss these local factors, but we've handled over 500 Hays County cases. We know which neighborhoods are over-assessed, which comparables work best, and exactly how the local hearing officers think.
You spend five minutes uploading photos and answering basic questions about your property. We spend the next 60-90 days building your case, researching comparable sales, identifying assessment errors, and preparing evidence. When hearing time comes, our licensed professionals present your case while you go about your normal day. You'll get a text when we win.
Miss this deadline and you're stuck overpaying for another full year. That's potentially $1,311+ you can't get back. Hays CAD mails notices in April, but many homeowners don't realize the clock is ticking. We've had clients call us on May 14th in panic β don't be that person. The earlier you start, the stronger case we can build.
You keep 75% of every dollar we save you, forever. If we reduce your taxes by $1,200 annually, you pay us $300 once and keep $900 every year going forward. Over ten years, that's $9,000 in your pocket versus $300 to us. Plus, you only pay if we actually reduce your assessment β no savings means no fee. Compare that to the guaranteed loss of doing nothing.
Stop wondering if you're overpaying and find out for certain. Most Hays County homeowners who check discover they can save $500-$2,500 annually with minimal effort on their part. The question isn't whether you can afford to protest β it's whether you can afford not to.
Signup to have TaxDrop take care of your assessment protest for you. It takes less than 3 minutes to enroll and there is no fee if we don't win.
The Hays County property tax protest deadline is May 15th or 30 days after receiving your Notice of Appraised Value from HCAD, whichever is later. Missing this deadline means you forfeit your right to challenge your assessment for the entire tax year. Property owners in San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda should mark their calendars and act quickly once they receive their appraisal notice to ensure they don't miss this critical window.
Visit hayscad.com and use their property search tool to enter your address and view your current appraised value instantly. This shows you exactly what Hays Central Appraisal District believes your property is worth for tax purposes. Comparing this value to recent sales of similar homes in your San Marcos or Hays County neighborhood helps determine if you're being overassessed and should file a protest.
Hays County property tax protests typically save homeowners $500-$3,000 annually, with some San Marcos residents saving even more on higher-value properties. Even a modest 10% reduction in your appraised value can result in hundreds of dollars in annual savings. Professional services like TaxDrop often achieve higher reductions than DIY protests, with no upfront costs since you only pay when they successfully lower your taxes.
A successful protest reduces your home's appraised value, which directly lowers your annual property tax bill in Hays County. The savings continue year after year until your next reassessment, potentially saving thousands over time. Your reduced tax bill will be reflected in your next tax statement, and if you've already paid, you may receive a refund for the overpayment.
Yes, landlords and investors can protest property taxes on rental and investment properties throughout Hays County, including San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. Investment property owners often see significant returns since lower property taxes directly improve cash flow and profitability. The same protest process and deadlines apply to all residential properties, making it a smart financial strategy for real estate investors.
Professional property tax protest services typically achieve 60-80% higher success rates than DIY protests in Hays County. Companies like TaxDrop handle all paperwork, research comparable properties, and represent you at hearings with no upfront costs. Since you only pay when they successfully reduce your taxes, the service essentially pays for itself while saving you time and stress during the complex protest process.
The Hays County property tax protest process typically takes 3-6 months from filing to final resolution. Initial informal reviews may resolve within 30-60 days, while formal hearings before the Appraisal Review Board usually occur between May and July. Professional services handle all scheduling and paperwork, so homeowners in San Marcos and surrounding areas can continue their daily routines while experts manage their case.
Successful protests require comparable sales data showing similar properties in your Hays County area sold for less than your appraised value. Additional evidence includes photos of property defects, documentation of needed repairs, or proof of declining neighborhood values. Professional services access comprehensive market data and know exactly what evidence the Appraisal Review Board finds most compelling for San Marcos and other Hays County properties.
Start by visiting app.taxdrop.com and entering your property address to see your potential savings instantly. The system analyzes your property against recent sales data and determines if you're likely overassessed. If you qualify, licensed consultants handle everything from filing with HCAD to representing you at hearings, with no upfront fees and payment only upon successful tax reduction.
Approximately 40-50% of property tax protests in Hays County result in reduced assessments, with professional services achieving even higher success rates. The key is having strong comparable sales data and proper presentation to the Appraisal Review Board. Properties in rapidly appreciating areas like San Marcos often have the best protest potential since appraisals may not reflect actual market conditions accurately.