Protest Your 2026 Hays County Property Taxes

Protesting gives you the opportunity to lower your assessed value and reduce your tax bill. Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, located between Austin and San Antonio. Cities like Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos have experienced explosive growth. Property values have risen dramatically. Even if you think your assessment is fair, it's worth protesting - many Hays County homeowners receive reductions each year.

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency basis - you only pay 1% of your assessed value reduction if we successfully lower your property taxes. If your value isn't reduced, our services are completely free. No credit card is required to sign up.

Just your authorization. When you sign up, you'll complete a simple agent designation form that allows us to represent you with Hays CAD. We handle everything else: filing the protest, gathering evidence, and presenting your case.

The standard deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed - whichever is later. If you miss the deadline, you cannot protest your assessment until the following year. We recommend signing up as early as possible.

Yes! You should protest every year. Property values change annually, and so do market conditions. Even if you received a reduction last year, your value may have increased this year. Consistent protesting is the best way to keep your taxes as low as possible.

At the informal hearing, we meet with a Hays CAD appraiser to discuss your property's value. We present comparable sales data and other evidence supporting a lower value. The appraiser reviews the evidence and may agree to reduce your assessment. Most protests in Hays County are resolved at this stage.

If we can't reach an agreement at the informal hearing, we proceed to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel that hears evidence from both sides and makes a binding decision. We represent you at the ARB hearing at no additional cost.

The timeline varies, but protests are typically resolved within 2-4 months after filing. Hays CAD holds informal hearings in June-August, with ARB hearings scheduled through September if needed. We keep you updated throughout the process.

No. Protesting cannot increase your current year's assessment, and it doesn't flag your property for higher values in future years. Hays CAD appraises all properties annually regardless of whether you protest.

No. As your authorized agent, we attend all hearings on your behalf. You don't need to take time off work, prepare evidence, or appear before the ARB. We handle everything and notify you of the results.