Collin County Property Tax Protest Guide: Deadlines, CCAD Filing & How to Win

If you own property in Collin County, Texas, you have the legal right to protest your property’s appraised value every year. A properly handled Collin County property tax protest can significantly reduce your taxable value and annual tax bill, but deadlines, evidence, and Collin County specific procedures matter.

This guide explains:

• The Collin County protest deadline
• How the CCAD protest process works
• How to file a protest online
• What evidence leads to reductions
• When hiring a property tax consultant makes sense

Collin County Property Tax Protest Deadline

The Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) follows Texas state law for protest deadlines.

The deadline to file is:

• May 15, or
• 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed
  whichever is later

Missing this deadline may eliminate your right to protest for the year.

Why filing early matters in Collin County

• Collin County experiences very high protest volume
• CCAD online systems slow near the deadline
• Evidence deadlines are enforced strictly
• Early filing preserves maximum leverage during informal reviews

Learn How Property Tax Protests Work in Texas

For a full explanation of protest deadlines, evidence standards, and hearings statewide, read our guide here:
Texas Property Tax Protest Guide

Official Collin Central Appraisal District Resources

For official filing portals, forms, and protest procedures & deadlines, visit:
Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD)
https://collincad.org/property-tax-calendar/

How to File a Property Tax Protest in Collin County

Collin County offers multiple filing options, but online filing through CCAD is strongly recommended.

Option 1: File a CCAD Protest Online (Recommended)

Most Collin County homeowners file using the CCAD online protest system.

What you need:

• Property account number
• PIN or passcode from your Notice of Appraised Value
• Selected protest reason or reasons

Steps:

1. Log in to the CCAD online protest portal
2. Enter your property account number and PIN
3. Select market value, unequal appraisal, or both
4. Submit your protest before the deadline
5. Receive confirmation and scheduling information

Online filing allows faster processing, easier evidence uploads, and earlier access to hearings.

Official CCAD protest filing and procedures:
https://www.collincad.org/protest-information/

Option 2: File by Mail or In Person

CCAD also accepts protests by mail or in person using the official Notice of Protest form. These methods are valid but carry higher risk of delays, especially close to May 15.

Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) Protest Procedures and What to Expect

While Texas law governs the overall protest framework, CCAD procedures and timelines are county-specific.

Filing and Confirmation

Once your protest is submitted, CCAD will confirm receipt and place your property into the protest system. Due to volume, processing timelines vary significantly throughout the season.

Evidence Exchange and Informal Review

After filing, CCAD may make appraisal evidence available, including:

• Comparable sales used by CCAD
• Market data supporting the appraised value
• Property record information on file

Many Collin County protests are resolved during an informal review, which is a negotiation with CCAD appraisal staff prior to any formal hearing.

Submitting strong evidence early often improves settlement outcomes.

ARB Hearing Process in Collin County

If no agreement is reached informally, CCAD schedules a hearing before the Collin County Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

ARB hearings:

• Are conducted by independent board members
• Require evidence submission by strict deadlines
• Allow both CCAD and the property owner or representative to present arguments

Property owners are not required to attend and may appoint a representative.

What Evidence Wins Collin County Property Tax Protests

Filing preserves your rights. Evidence determines results.

The most effective evidence includes:

Comparable Sales

• Recent sales near your property
• Similar square footage, age, and condition
• Adjusted to reflect differences

Unequal Appraisal

• Proof your property is assessed higher than similar properties
• One of the strongest arguments under Texas law
• Especially effective in Collin County due to neighborhood variability

Property Condition Issues

• Deferred maintenance
• Structural or functional defects
• Photos and repair estimates significantly strengthen claims

Collin County valuations rely heavily on mass appraisal models that could overstate market value.

Collin County Property Tax Protest Timeline

Typical Collin County protest flow:

• January 1: Valuation date
• March to April: Notices of Appraised Value mailed
• May 15: Protest deadline for most properties
• May through July: Informal reviews and ARB hearings
• Summer: Final values issued

Exact timelines vary based on filing date and protest volume.

Common Collin County Property Tax Protest Mistakes

• Missing the protest deadline
• Filing without credible comparable sales
• Submitting irrelevant or outdated evidence
• Missing CCAD evidence deadlines
• Accepting the first offer without review

These mistakes often result in paying higher property taxes than necessary.

Why Hire a Collin County Property Tax Consultant?

Professional representation improves outcomes and removes time burden.

Benefits of professional representation

• Access to strong comparable sales data
• Unequal appraisal analysis
• Experience negotiating with CCAD
• Representation at informal reviews and ARB hearings
• No time commitment from you

Ballard Property Tax Protest approach

• No upfront fees
• You only pay if we reduce your value
• Collin County specific strategies
• Annual review and representation

Let Ballard Property Tax Protest handle your Collin County property tax protest. No reduction, no fee and our results keep clients coming back year over year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collin County Property Tax Protests

Can protesting increase my property taxes?

No. Texas law does not allow appraisal districts to raise your value solely because you protested.

Do I need to attend a CCAD ARB hearing?

No. You may appoint a representative to attend on your behalf.

Can I protest every year in Collin County?

Yes. Texas law allows annual protests.

How long does the Collin County protest process take?

Most protests resolve within weeks to a few months, depending on protest volume.

Is CCAD online filing secure?

Yes. CCAD’s online system is secure and preferred.

Get Help With Your Collin County Property Tax Protest

If you want to maximize your chances of success without gathering evidence, managing deadlines, or attending hearings, professional representation can make a meaningful difference.

Ballard Property Tax Protest manages the entire Collin County protest process from filing through resolution.

Start your Collin County property tax protest today.

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