A Step-by-Step Guide to Protest Your Property Taxes in Texas

For a list of county websites, see below.  

Property tax season is here! Your 2025 Property Tax Assessment should be hitting your mailbox any day now. If it hasn’t arrived yet, it’s on the way!

Rising property taxes can really take a toll on homeowners and real estate investors, especially when you’re paying more than you should because your property is overvalued. The good news? You could save thousands each year by protesting your property tax assessment!

Not sure where to start or want to get better results this time? Don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

If you’re planning to protest your property taxes in Tarrant County (all counties have a similar process), here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. File a Notice of Protest Form (Form 50-132) online, by mail, or in person by the deadline.

• For Collin County: Download the form here. 

• For Dallas County: Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) encourages homeowners to file online through uFile. To file online, visit their website and search for your property. You’ll need the pin number that is on your Notice of Appraised Value if you file online.

• For Denton County: You must first let the appraisal district know that you would like to contest your appraised value. You can also file through Denton CAD’s eportal.

• For Tarrant County: You can file a Notice of Protest online or by mail, but Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) strongly encourages filing online. You can set up an account on the appraisal district website to file and view your appeal status.

2. Gather evidence to support your claim.

• For Collin County: Evidence can include recent sales of similar homes, property damage, or errors in your appraisal notice. You can also request the data Collin CAD used and check for inaccuracies. 
  
  Most protests come down to two things: adjustment calculations and comparable sales. Make sure the comps used are ones you would have actually considered when buying your home. Collin CAD often uses land, neighborhood, and depreciation adjustments in their valuations.

• For Dallas County: DCAD accepts these as evidence for informal hearings: sale of the property, sales of similar homes, proof of property issues, and independent appraisals.
  
  For unequal appraisal protests, you’ll need data showing your home was valued higher than similar properties (per Section 41.43 of the Texas Property Tax Code).

  DCAD defends values using adjustment calculations and comparable sales—often favoring smaller homes, depreciation, and size adjustments. Make sure the comps used truly reflect what you would have bought.

• For Denton County: Evidence can include photos, repair quotes, or independent appraisals. Also, contact Denton CAD for the evidence used in their assessment.
  
  Residential protests focus on two elements: adjustment calculations and comparable selection. Check if the comps used are ones you would’ve considered when buying your home. Denton CAD typically uses land, neighborhood, and depreciation adjustments.

• For Tarrant County: Evidence can include sales comps, repair quotes, and incorrect property details from the Notice of Value. You can also request the evidence the appraisal district plans to use.
  
  Residential protests focus on adjustment calculations and comparable selection. Verify if the comparables are ones you'd have considered when buying. Tarrant CAD uses land adjustments, comparable indexing, and effective age adjustments.

3. If possible, resolve with an informal review.

• For Collin County: An informal hearing can be phone, online, or in person. If you and the appraiser agree on a value, no further action is needed, but you must waive your right to appeal if you change your mind.

• For Dallas County: The informal hearing is between you and the appraiser, where you'll need to provide copies your evidence. It can be done by phone or email. If you agree on a value, no ARB hearing is needed. DCAD also offers the uFile Online Settlement Program for eligible properties, allowing homeowners to settle online. If unresolved, an ARB hearing is available.

• For Denton County: You can request an informal review with the appraiser before attending a hearing with the Denton Appraisal Review Board (DARB) by indicating it on the Notice of Protest. If you can't agree on a value, you can proceed with a formal DARB hearing.

• For Tarrant County: You can resolve your protest online or by phone through the TAD portal. If no agreement is reached, you can continue your protest with the Tarrant Appraisal Review Board (TARB).

4. If necessary, resolve with an ARB hearing.

• For Collin County: If you don’t settle during the informal hearing, you can request a formal hearing with the Collin Appraisal Review Board (CARB)—just be sure you filed by the protest deadline. Hearings can be in person, by phone, or video (with written notice 10 days prior). For phone or video, submit evidence by affidavit or written declaration.
  
  Request the CAD’s evidence 14 days before the hearing to ensure fairness. They are not allowed to present anything else. After the hearing, you will receive the ARB’s decision by certified mail. If you disagree, you can take your case to binding arbitration.

• For Dallas County: If no agreement is reached, you can attend an ARB hearing in person or by phone. Submit your evidence before or at the start of the hearing. DCAD recommends 5 days in advance. You may also request the district’s evidence. Both parties may not introduce any new evidence during the hearing. Afterward, you'll receive the ARB’s decision by certified mail.

• For Denton County: You can request an informal review with a Denton appraiser before a formal ARB hearing. Indicate this on your Notice of Protest. If no agreement is reached, you may proceed to a formal hearing with the DARB.

• For Tarrant County: The TARB is an independent panel that reviews property appraisals. Before the hearing, you'll receive procedures and a notice of your right to request the CAD’s evidence under the 14-day rule. Both sides must submit their evidence before or at the start of the hearing.
  
  Hearings last no more than 15 minutes and can be held in person or via video. Afterward, you'll get the decision by certified mail and can choose to appeal through court or arbitration if needed.

5. If you are not satisfied with the ARB’s decision, appeal through district court or binding arbitration.

• For Collin County: You have 60 days from receiving the ARB decision to file for district court or binding arbitration. District court requires a partial tax payment, while binding arbitration is informal. If you win, the appraisal district will pay the arbitrator’s fee. If the property value is closer to the ARB’s value, you will pay the arbitrator’s fee.
  
  A third option is appealing through the State Office of Administrative Hearings, available for homes valued over $1 million, which also involves a fee.

• For Dallas County: You can file a district court petition within 60 days and make a partial tax payment. You can also 1) Appeal through binding arbitration (if appraised value is $5M or less) within 60 days and pay a fee, or 2) Appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) within 30 days, with a $1,500 filing fee.

• For Denton County: You can appeal through district court, binding arbitration, or the SOAH.Binding arbitration is the least formal option.

Deadlines:

• District court: within 60 days

• Binding arbitration: within 60 days

• SOAH: within 30 days
  
  All options require a filing fee and partial tax payment. The result may lower your value or uphold the ARB’s decision.

• For Tarrant County: If you're unsatisfied with the TARB's decision, you can appeal to district court, binding arbitration, or SOAH.

Deadlines: 

• District court: file within 60 days

• Binding arbitration: file within 60 days

• SOAH: file within 30 days
  
  All options require filing fees and partial payment of property taxes.

CLICK HERE for a list of county websites.