Texas Property Tax Protest Deadlines
The deadline to file a Texas property tax protest is May 15, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is delivered, whichever is later. If that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. The exact date is printed on your appraisal notice.
This guide explains how the deadline works, what you can still do if you missed it, and how to make sure you file on time next year. For other dates, including tax bill payment, exemption filing and early-pay discounts, see our Texas property tax calendar.
How the Protest Deadline Works
- Notice delivered on or before April 15: your deadline is May 15.
- Notice delivered after April 15: you have 30 days from delivery. For example, a notice delivered May 1 gives you until May 31.
- Weekends and holidays: a deadline that falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday moves to the next business day.
- Check your own notice: some appraisal districts mail notices late or in waves, so don't rely on general dates. The deadline that applies to you is printed on your notice.
You file a Notice of Protest with your county appraisal district's Appraisal Review Board (ARB), online through the district's portal, by mail, or in person. Ballard Property Tax Protest can file it for you.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
- You can't file a standard protest. The ARB won't schedule a hearing unless one of the exceptions below applies.
- Your current appraisal stands. You'll be taxed on the value in your Notice of Appraised Value.
- You may pay more than you should. If the appraisal is too high, there's no normal path to challenge it for that year.
Options After the Deadline
The Texas Tax Code leaves a few narrow paths open after the protest deadline.
1. You Never Received Your Notice
If the appraisal district failed to deliver a notice it was required to send, Section 41.411 lets you file a protest after the normal deadline, as long as you file before your taxes become delinquent (usually February 1). Gather any proof that the notice never arrived, such as an incorrect mailing address on file.
2. Clerical or Factual Errors
Under Section 25.25(c), the ARB can correct certain errors for up to five years, including:
- Clerical errors that affect your tax liability, such as wrong square footage or bathroom count
- The same property appraised more than once
- Property that doesn't exist in the form or location described
- The wrong owner listed for the property
3. A Substantially Overstated Value
Under Section 25.25(d), you can file a motion with the ARB to correct an error that made your appraised value too high by more than:
- One-fourth (25%) of the correct value, for your residence homestead
- One-third of the correct value, for other property
The motion must be filed before your taxes become delinquent, and you still need to pay the undisputed portion of your taxes on time. You may also owe a late-correction penalty if the motion succeeds.
4. Ask the Chief Appraiser for a Correction
You can ask your county's chief appraiser to agree to correct the value, even after the protest deadline. If you and the chief appraiser agree, the correction can be made without a hearing.
5. Arbitration and Court Aren't Options Without a Protest
Binding arbitration and district court appeals are only available after the ARB issues an order on a protest. If you never filed a protest, those routes are closed for that year.
What to Do If You Missed the Deadline
- Contact a property tax consultant right away. Professionals like Ballard Property Tax Protest can tell you whether one of the late options above applies.
- Review your appraisal record for errors. Look for factual mistakes such as the wrong square footage, room count or land size.
- Document everything. If you think your notice was never delivered, gather supporting records.
- Pay your taxes on time. Late corrections still require the undisputed amount to be paid before the delinquency date.
- Prepare for next year. Mark your calendar early, set reminders, or enroll with a service that tracks deadlines for you.
Why Protesting on Time Matters
Texas caps annual increases in a homestead's appraised value at 10%. A lower value this year sets a lower starting point for every year after, so a reduction keeps paying off. Missing a year means the higher value carries forward, and so do the higher bills.
How to Avoid Missing the Deadline
- Sign up for electronic notices from your county appraisal district to reduce the chance of missed mail.
- Set yearly reminders in March, April and early May.
- File as soon as your notice arrives. Early filing avoids last-minute portal problems and hearing congestion.
- Partner with Ballard Property Tax Protest. We track every deadline and file your protest on time, so you don't have to.
Final Thoughts
Missing the protest deadline is a setback, but it isn't always the end. The key is acting quickly and knowing which option fits your situation.
If you've missed your protest deadline in Texas, **contact **Ballard Property Tax Protest to explore your options. We help homeowners stay on top of their property taxes year-round.
