Filing Deadline: May 15
You must file your protest by May 15 (or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later). After this date, you lose your right to protest for the current tax year. Do not wait until the last week — the HCAD system gets very slow near the deadline.
What Is a Property Tax Protest?
Every year, the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) sets a value for your home. That value determines how much property tax you pay. If HCAD's value is higher than it should be — either higher than your home is actually worth, or higher than comparable homes in your neighborhood — you have the legal right to challenge it. This challenge is called a protest.
Protesting is free, it is your legal right, and it does not require a lawyer or a tax consultant. In Harris County, 88% of protests result in a reduction. The median reduction is over $21,000 in assessed value, which can save you hundreds of dollars per year in property taxes.
This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish, including how to file online using HCAD's iFile system, how to evaluate settlement offers through iSettle, and how to prepare for an informal or formal hearing if needed.
What You Will Need
- 1. Your HCAD account number — a 13-digit number found on your appraisal notice or at HCAD. It looks something like 0123456789012.
- 2. Your appraisal notice — the document HCAD mails you each spring showing your home's new assessed value. If you cannot find it, you can look up your value online at HCAD.
- 3. Evidence of over-assessment — comparable properties in your area assessed at lower values. This is the most important part of your protest. Our evidence packet provides this for your specific property.
- 4. About 15 to 30 minutes — that is how long the online filing process takes if you have your materials ready.
The Three Paths to Resolution
After you file your protest, there are three ways it can be resolved. You do not need to choose in advance — the process moves through these stages automatically:
1. iSettle (Online Settlement)
After filing, HCAD may send you an online settlement offer through iSettle. If the offer is fair, you can accept it and you are done — no hearing required. Many protests are resolved this way without you ever leaving your home.
2. Informal Hearing
If iSettle does not resolve your case, you will be scheduled for an informal hearing with an HCAD appraiser. This is a one-on-one conversation (in person or by phone) where you present your evidence. Most cases are settled at this stage.
3. Formal ARB Hearing
If the informal hearing does not produce a satisfactory result, your case goes to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). This is a panel hearing with more formal rules. It is your final opportunity within the standard protest process.
Full Guide Contents
This guide has 8 pages covering every step of the Harris County property tax protest process. This page (Page 1) is free. Pages 2 through 8 are included with your evidence packet purchase.
Overview — How to Protest Your Property Taxes
You are here (free preview)
Before You Start
What you need, the three protest tracks, and key terminology
Step-by-Step iFile Filing
How to file your protest online in under 15 minutes
Understanding iSettle
How to evaluate and respond to HCAD's settlement offers
Informal Hearing Preparation
How to present your case to an HCAD appraiser
Formal ARB Hearing
Rules, preparation, and tips for the Appraisal Review Board
After You File
Timelines, checking your status, what happens if you win or lose
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Harris County protest process
Get the Full Guide + Evidence Packet
Your evidence packet includes comparable properties with lower assessments in your neighborhood, a pre-written protest reason ready to paste into iFile, and access to all 8 pages of this filing guide.
Everything you need to file your protest and save on your property taxes.
Get My Evidence Packet — $79One-time purchase per property. 7-day money-back guarantee. Harris County only.