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Harris County Texas property tax protest services

Harris County Property Tax Protest Services

Lower Your Harris County Property Taxes - No Upfront Fees

We handle your HCAD protest from filing to hearing. You only pay if we reduce your taxes.

Deadline: May 15, 2026
No upfront feesOnly pay if we save you money

How to Protest Your Harris County Property Taxes

01

Sign Up

Authorize us to represent you with HCAD. Takes about 5 minutes online.

Get Started →
02

We Handle Everything

We research your property, gather evidence, and present your case at hearings with HCAD.

03

Results

You receive notification of your final assessed value and updated tax bill.

Benefits of Protesting Your Harris County Property Taxes

Beat Tax Value Increases

With rapidly inflating home values, if you're not protesting, you're paying more than your fair share in property taxes.

Save Time, Save Money

We handle the entire process for you - filing your protest, crafting your unique case analysis and fighting to reduce your tax burden.

Sign Up Risk Free

No credit card required. No service fee until after you've saved money. If there is no reduction, our services are free.

What Harris County Homeowners Say

See why homeowners trust us to handle their HCAD property tax protests.

Matthew Ballard is awesome! He reduced over $33k on the 2024 proposed market value of my property. The online portal is easy to upload documents and track case status.

C
Claire X.
Texas

For the past two years they have been great on protesting my property taxes. I have been very pleased using them. Highly recommended and will be using them again in the future!

K
Keith R.
Texas

So easy and convenient to apply! Everything was done online. I received email updates every step of the way. I don't need to reapply or take any further action year after year.

m
min y.
Texas

Areas We Serve in Harris County

We help homeowners throughout Harris County reduce their property tax burden. Whether you live in a major city or a smaller community, we can represent you.

Houston
Pasadena
Baytown
Atascocita
Spring
Katy
Pearland
Cypress
Sugar Land
The Woodlands
Humble
Tomball
Bellaire
West University Place
Jersey Village
La Porte
Deer Park
Friendswood

Harris County Property Tax Calendar

Important dates for the 2026 HCAD property tax protest season.

April 2026

HCAD mails appraisal notices to property owners

May 15, 2026

Deadline to file property tax protest

June - August 2026

Informal hearings with HCAD appraisers

June - September 2026

Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearings

October 2026

Tax bills mailed by Harris County Tax Office

January 31, 2027

Property tax payment deadline

Harris County Property Tax Protest FAQs

Get answers to common questions about protesting your HCAD property tax assessment. For more detailed information, visit our comprehensive FAQ page.

Q.

Why should I protest my Harris County property taxes?

A.

Protesting gives you the opportunity to lower your assessed value and reduce your tax bill. Harris County is the most populous county in Texas with over 4.7 million residents, and property values have been rising significantly. Even if you think your assessment is fair, it's worth protesting - many Harris County homeowners receive reductions each year.

Q.

How much does it cost to protest with Ballard?

A.

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.

Q.

What information do you need to file my protest?

A.

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

Q.

What is the deadline to protest in Harris County?

A.

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.

Q.

Can I protest if I already protested last year?

A.

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.

Q.

What happens at an informal hearing with HCAD?

A.

At the informal hearing, we meet with an HCAD 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 are resolved at this stage.

Q.

What if the informal hearing doesn't reduce my value?

A.

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.

Q.

How long does the Harris County protest process take?

A.

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

Q.

Will protesting increase my taxes next year?

A.

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

Q.

Do I need to attend any hearings?

A.

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.

HCAD Contact Information

13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040

Phone: (713) 957-7800

Website: hcad.org

Why Choose Us for Your Harris County Property Tax Protest

We don't just file protests with HCAD; we study the data and discover new ways to save our clients money. We are always updating our technology to feature the latest in protest software and have implemented a results-based business model.

SEE HOW IT WORKS

Property Tax Protest Services in Nearby Counties

We also help homeowners in neighboring counties reduce their property taxes. View all Texas counties we serve.

About Harris County Property Taxes

Harris County is the most populous county in Texas and the third-most populous in the United States, with over 4.7 million residents. The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) is responsible for appraising all property in the county for tax purposes. With Houston's strong economy and continued population growth, property values across the county have been steadily increasing. Whether you own a home in the Heights, Memorial, River Oaks, or the rapidly growing suburbs of Katy, Pearland, and The Woodlands, protesting your property taxes is essential to keeping your tax bill manageable. Our team has extensive experience working with HCAD and can help you navigate the protest process effectively.

For official property tax information, visit the HCAD website or the Texas Comptroller's Property Tax page.

Have questions about the protest process? Visit our FAQ page or contact us directly.

Ready to Lower Your Property Taxes?

Get started today. We'll handle your Harris County protest from start to finish.

START YOUR PROTEST
No upfront feesOnly pay if we save you money