Dallas County Property Tax Protest Timeline and Deadlines Explained

If you own property in Dallas County, Texas, missing the property tax protest deadline can cost you thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes. Each year, Dallas County property owners have a limited window to challenge their appraised value through the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD).

This guide explains:

• The Dallas County property tax protest deadline
• When appraisal notices are mailed
• A step-by-step protest timeline
• What happens if you miss the deadline
• How to protect your right to appeal

If you want a complete overview of the process, see our Dallas County property tax protest guide.

What Is the Dallas County Property Tax Protest Deadline?

The Dallas County property tax protest deadline is set by Texas law and enforced by DCAD.

For most properties, the deadline is:

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

If May 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Failing to file by this deadline generally means you lose your right to protest for the year.

When Does Dallas County Mail Appraisal Notices?

DCAD typically mails Notices of Appraised Value between late March and April.

The notice includes:

• Your proposed market value
• Your assessed value
• A PIN or passcode needed for online filing
• Instructions for filing a protest

Even if you do not receive a notice, you are still responsible for knowing the deadline.

Dallas County Property Tax Protest Timeline

Below is a typical Dallas County protest timeline for residential properties.

January 1

• Valuation date
• Property value is based on market conditions as of this date

March to April

• DCAD mails Notices of Appraised Value
• Online protest portal opens

April to May 15

• Property owners file protests
• Evidence preparation begins
• Early informal reviews may be scheduled

May to July

• Informal reviews conducted
• Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearings scheduled if needed

Summer

• Final values are issued
• Property tax bills are calculated later in the year

Filing earlier in this window provides more flexibility and better outcomes.

How to File a Dallas County Property Tax Protest Before the Deadline

Most homeowners file their protest online through DCAD.

To file before the deadline, you need:

• Your DCAD property account number
• The PIN from your appraisal notice
• A selected protest reason, such as market value or unequal appraisal

Online filing is faster and provides immediate confirmation that your protest was received.

You can review the official filing procedures on the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) website.

What Happens If You Miss the Dallas County Protest Deadline?

If you miss the deadline:

• Your protest may be dismissed
• You may be locked into the proposed value for the year
• Your tax bill will be based on the unchallenged appraisal

In limited situations, late protests may be allowed, but they are uncommon and harder to win.

Filing on time is the single most important step in the process.

Should You File Early or Wait Until the Deadline?

Filing early is almost always better in Dallas County.

Benefits of filing early include:

• Less congestion in DCAD systems
• More time to gather strong evidence
• Better access to informal review negotiations
• Reduced risk of technical issues

Waiting until the last few days increases the chance of mistakes.

How This Timeline Fits Into the Texas Protest Process

Dallas County follows Texas law, but procedures vary by county.

For a statewide explanation of deadlines, evidence rules, and hearings, see our property tax protest process guide for Texas counties.

Get Help With Your Dallas County Property Tax Protest

Understanding the timeline is only the first step. Evidence quality, negotiation strategy, and procedural details determine results.

If you want help managing deadlines, preparing evidence, and handling DCAD negotiations, professional representation can simplify the process.

Learn more about how we help homeowners in our Dallas County property tax protest guide, or get started today with Ballard Property Tax Protest.