Brick Texas home at sunset

For Texas homeowners

Your appraisal went up.
Your taxes don't have to.

Every Texas homeowner has the right to protest their appraised value — for free. HomesteadProtest shows you exactly what to argue, what evidence to bring, and when to file.

  • Free to file with your county
  • No lawyer needed
  • No account required

Next protest deadline

Mon, May 17, 2027

Or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. Miss it and you're usually stuck with the value for a full year.

4

major counties covered

$0

county filing fee

Why homeowners who protest come out ahead

Appraisal districts value hundreds of thousands of homes with mass formulas. Your home is one line in a spreadsheet — and you know it better than they do.

Know what to argue

Upload your notice and our AI pulls out your value, property details and deadlines, then writes a checklist built around your numbers.

Bring the right evidence

Comparable homes, recent sales, condition problems and missing exemptions — the proof appraisal review boards actually listen to.

Never miss a date

File through our step-by-step portal, get a case number, and follow every update until your hearing is done.

Free AI protest plan

Got your notice? Let's read it together.

Those notices are confusing on purpose. Upload yours and in about 30 seconds you'll see:

  • Your appraised value and how much it jumped
  • Property details the district has on file — catch their mistakes
  • Every deadline printed on your notice
  • A step-by-step checklist to prepare your protest

Upload your appraisal notice — get your protest plan

Snap a photo or upload the PDF of your notice. Our AI reads your values, property details and deadlines, then builds a protest-preparation checklist around your numbers.

Harris County Appraisal District — protest deadline: May 15, or 30 days after your HCAD notice is delivered — whichever is later. File online through HCAD's iFile portal or by mail with Form 50-132. Harris County protest guide

Your upload stays private and is used only to write your review. Limit: 3 notices per day.

How a Texas protest works

  1. 01

    Watch for your Notice of Appraised Value

    Your appraisal district mails this in spring (usually April). It shows the market value they assigned to your home — the number your taxes are based on.

  2. 02

    File your protest by the deadline

    File online with your appraisal district or mail in the protest form. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer or a tax consultant.

  3. 03

    Prepare your evidence

    Recent sales of comparable homes, photos of damage or needed repairs, and a comparison with similar homes appraised for less (unequal appraisal).

  4. 04

    Attend the informal settlement

    Most protests end here: you meet with a district appraiser, show your evidence, and agree on a lower value.

Don't leave exemptions on the table

  • Texas homeowners with a homestead exemption get $100,000 off their home's value for school district taxes.
  • Homestead values can rise at most 10% per year — and the excess is spread over the following years, not lost.
  • Homeowners 65 or older (or disabled) get extra exemptions, and their school taxes can be frozen.

Don't just pay it. Protest it.

Start your evidence early for the 2027 season — it takes minutes and costs nothing to file with your county.

Texas protest season updates

Get an email when appraisal notices go out and before the protest deadline. Unsubscribe anytime.

HomesteadProtest is a private company and is not affiliated with any county appraisal district, the Texas Comptroller, or any government office. We don't provide legal advice, and savings are never guaranteed. Questions? support@neighborcomp.com · Texas protest FAQ