Brazoria County Property Tax Protest Deadlines Explained
Missing the Brazoria County protest deadline means losing your right to challenge your property's appraised value for the entire year. Whether you own property in Pearland, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Alvin, or anywhere else in Brazoria County, understanding these deadlines is essential to protecting your property tax bill.
The Brazoria Central Appraisal District (BCAD)—formerly known as the Brazoria County Appraisal District before its name change effective January 1, 2026—processes between 50,000 and 65,000 protests annually. With that volume, strict deadline enforcement is standard practice.
This guide covers:
- The exact Brazoria County protest deadline for 2026
- How the 30-day rule works
- When appraisal notices are mailed
- Filing options (online, mail, email, in-person)
- What happens after you file
- Late filing options and limitations
- Key dates throughout the protest timeline
The Brazoria County Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026
The Brazoria Central Appraisal District (BCAD) follows Texas Property Tax Code deadlines:
Primary Deadline: May 15, 2026
Alternative Deadline: 30 days after BCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value—whichever is later
| Scenario | Your Deadline |
|---|---|
| Notice mailed April 1 | May 15 (30 days = May 1, so May 15 applies) |
| Notice mailed April 20 | May 20 (30 days after notice) |
| Notice mailed May 1 | May 31 (30 days after notice) |
Important: The deadline is when BCAD must receive your protest, not when you mail it. If mailing your protest, allow adequate delivery time.
How the 30-Day Rule Works
If BCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value late in the season, you get additional time to file. Here's how to calculate your deadline:
- Find the mailing date on your Notice of Appraised Value
- Add 30 calendar days
- Compare to May 15
- Your deadline is whichever date is later
Example Calculations
| Notice Mailed | 30 Days Later | Your Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| March 15 | April 14 | May 15 |
| April 10 | May 10 | May 15 |
| April 25 | May 25 | May 25 |
| May 5 | June 4 | June 4 |
If you receive a corrected or supplemental notice showing an increased value, the 30-day clock restarts from that new mailing date.
When Does BCAD Mail Appraisal Notices?
BCAD typically begins mailing Notices of Appraised Value on April 15 each year.
Your notice includes:
- Proposed market value for your property
- Prior year assessed value
- Property ID and eFile PIN for online filing
- Instructions for filing a protest
- Key deadline information
The valuation date is January 1. Your property is assessed based on market conditions as of that date, not when you receive the notice.
Complete 2026 Brazoria County Protest Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 1 | Valuation date (property assessed as of this date) |
| April 15 | BCAD begins mailing Notices of Appraised Value |
| April 30 | Exemption application deadline |
| May 15 | Standard protest deadline (or 30 days after notice) |
| May - July | Informal reviews and ARB hearings |
| Mid-July | ARB approves appraisal records (late protests no longer accepted) |
| October | Tax bills mailed |
| January 31 | Tax payment deadline (following year) |
Why Filing Early Matters in Brazoria County
With 50,000 to 65,000 protests filed annually, BCAD operates at significant volume. Filing early provides important advantages:
- First access to informal review appointments
- More hearing date options before the summer rush
- Buffer time if technical issues occur with online filing
- Maximum negotiation leverage with BCAD staff
- Better appraiser availability for discussing settlement offers
Pro tip: Don't wait until May 15. BCAD's online system experiences heavier traffic near the deadline, and technical difficulties don't extend your filing window.
How to File a Property Tax Protest in Brazoria County
BCAD offers multiple filing methods, but online filing through eProtest is strongly recommended.
Option 1: Online Filing Through eProtest (Recommended)
Filing online through BCAD's eProtest portal is the fastest and most efficient method.
Portal: eprotest.brazoriacad.org
What you need:
- Property ID from your Notice of Appraised Value
- eFile PIN from your notice
- Email address for confirmation
Steps to file online:
- Visit the BCAD eProtest portal
- Create an account (password must be 10+ characters with uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character)
- Enter your Property ID and eFile PIN
- Select your protest reason (market value, unequal appraisal, or both)
- Upload supporting evidence
- Submit your protest
Online filing advantages:
- Immediate confirmation of receipt
- Electronic settlement offers from appraisers
- Easy evidence uploads
- Facilitates online informal meetings
- Faster processing than mail
Option 2: Email Filing
Send your completed protest form to: help@brazoriacad.org
This option works for those who prefer email but don't want to use the online portal.
Option 3: Mail Filing
Send the official Notice of Protest form by mail:
Mailing Address: Brazoria Central Appraisal District 500 N Chenango Angleton, TX 77515
Important: Allow adequate mail delivery time. The deadline is when BCAD receives your protest, not the postmark date.
Option 4: In-Person Filing
Visit the BCAD office during business hours or use their 24-hour drop boxes.
Address: 500 N Chenango, Angleton, TX 77515
Drop-off: Two drop boxes are located on the parking lot side of the office, available 24 hours a day.
Warning: Dropping off a protest form does not guarantee you can speak with an appraiser that day. In-person appointments are limited.
Which Filing Method Should You Choose?
| Method | Speed | Confirmation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Fastest | Immediate | Most homeowners |
| Moderate | After processing | Those who prefer email | |
| Slower | After processing | Those without internet access | |
| In-Person | Same day | Immediate | Last-minute filers |
Critical warning: Do not file using multiple methods for the same property. Filing through multiple channels creates processing delays and confusion.
What Happens After You File Your Protest
Step 1: Filing Confirmation
Once your protest is submitted, BCAD confirms receipt and places your property into the protest queue. Processing timelines vary based on filing date and overall protest volume.
Step 2: Evidence Submission
If you requested an informal conference on your protest form, an appraiser will review your evidence. If you didn't upload evidence when filing, you should submit it as soon as possible.
Critical: Without evidence, your value will be set by comparing your property to comparable market sales. BCAD cannot adjust your value for condition issues without documentation showing those conditions.
Step 3: Informal Meeting Process
Before a formal hearing, BCAD offers informal meetings to discuss your evidence directly with an appraiser:
- Meet one-on-one with a BCAD appraiser
- Discuss your property value and present evidence
- Receive settlement offers based on your evidence and neighborhood data
- Most cases resolve at this stage (87% success rate)
- Online filers can receive electronic settlement offers
If you agree with a settlement offer and return it, your protest closes at that amount. If you do nothing—even if you agree—your value remains unchanged and you'll proceed to an ARB hearing.
Response times: Due to protest volume, it may take weeks or even months before you hear back from BCAD.
Step 4: ARB Hearing (If Informal Doesn't Resolve)
If you reject the settlement offer or didn't reach agreement during informal review, you'll be scheduled for a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
ARB hearings:
- Are conducted by independent citizen board members
- Require you to present your evidence
- Allow both BCAD and the property owner to present arguments
- Result in a binding determination of value
- Typically take place from May through July
Hearing notification: BCAD sends notice of your hearing date, time, and location based on your preference (mail, certified mail, or email). You must attend or send a representative—missing your hearing closes your protest at the notice value.
Success rate: 98% of ARB hearings in Brazoria County result in value reductions for property owners.
Step 5: After the ARB Decision
The ARB deliberates and issues a value determination. If you disagree with the decision, additional remedies are available:
- Binding arbitration
- District court appeal
- State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
What If You Miss the Brazoria County Protest Deadline?
Missing the standard deadline severely limits your options, but there are narrow circumstances where late protests may be accepted.
Late Protest for Good Cause
Under Texas Tax Code Section 41.44(b), you may file after the deadline if:
- You can demonstrate good cause for the late filing
- You file before the ARB approves the appraisal records (typically mid-July)
- The ARB agrees to hear your case
What qualifies as good cause:
- Serious illness or medical emergency
- Military deployment
- Death in the immediate family
- Never received a Notice of Appraised Value
What does NOT qualify:
- Forgot about the deadline
- Was too busy
- Didn't know you could protest
- Assumed someone else would handle it
You must submit a late protest request form along with documentation supporting your good cause claim. The ARB decides whether to accept your late protest.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline Entirely
If you miss both the standard deadline and the late filing window:
- Your appraised value stands for the 2026 tax year
- You cannot appeal that year's valuation
- Tax bills will be based on BCAD's original assessment
- Your only option is to protest next year
Bottom line: There is no reliable safety net for missing the deadline. File early.
Brazoria County Protest Success Rates
Brazoria County has excellent success rates for property owners who protest:
| Stage | Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Informal protests | 87% |
| ARB hearings | 98% |
In 2023, Brazoria County property owners saved $77.15 million through protests, averaging $1,011 per account protested.
Brazoria County Contact Information
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 979-849-7792 |
| Address | 500 N Chenango, Angleton, TX 77515 |
| help@brazoriacad.org | |
| Website | brazoriacad.org |
| Online Portal | eprotest.brazoriacad.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brazoria County property tax protest deadline for 2026?
The deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. BCAD must receive your protest by this date—postmark dates do not count.
When does BCAD mail appraisal notices?
BCAD typically begins mailing Notices of Appraised Value on April 15 each year. Most homeowners receive their notices by late April or early May.
Can I get an extension on the Brazoria County protest deadline?
No. Texas law does not provide for deadline extensions except in very limited circumstances (good cause shown before roll certification, typically mid-July).
What if I never received my Notice of Appraised Value?
Not receiving a notice may qualify as good cause for a late protest. However, you should monitor your property's status on the BCAD website and file by May 15 regardless.
How do I file a Brazoria County property tax protest online?
Visit eprotest.brazoriacad.org, create an account, enter your Property ID and eFile PIN from your notice, select your protest reason, upload evidence, and submit. You'll receive immediate confirmation.
What time on May 15 is the deadline?
Online protests can be filed until 11:59 PM on the deadline date. In-person submissions must arrive during BCAD business hours. Drop boxes are available 24 hours.
What happens if I miss my ARB hearing?
If you don't attend and haven't appointed a representative, your protest will close at the notice value. You cannot reschedule after missing a hearing.
Get Professional Help With Your Brazoria County Property Tax Protest
Understanding deadlines is the first step. Winning your protest requires strong evidence, proper filing, and negotiation strategy.
Ballard Property Tax Protest handles the entire Brazoria County protest process:
- Files your protest before the deadline
- Gathers evidence specific to your property
- Negotiates with BCAD appraisers
- Represents you at informal reviews and ARB hearings
- Pursues additional appeals if warranted
No reduction, no fee.
Start your Brazoria County property tax protest today