Hays County
Kyle · Buda · Dripping Springs · Hays Central Appraisal District (HCAD)
Protest deadline calculator
Your deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice was mailed—whichever is later.
Estimate your tax savings
See how much you could save by protesting — takes about 15 seconds.
How to protest in Hays County
- 1
File your protest by the deadline
File online at HCAD's protest portal using your Property ID and PIN from your notice, or by mail or in person at 21001 N IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640. Online filing is recommended.
- 2
Informal review with an appraiser
After filing, HCAD will schedule an informal meeting with an appraiser. Bring your evidence—comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, or your purchase price if you bought recently. Many protests are resolved here.
- 3
Prepare your evidence
Gather comparable sales of similar homes nearby, photos of condition issues, contractor repair estimates, or closing documents if you purchased recently and the appraised value exceeds your purchase price.
- 4
ARB hearing (if needed)
If you don't settle at the informal stage, you'll be scheduled for an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing at the HCAD office in Kyle. Hearings are typically held June–August. You can appear in person, by phone, or by videoconference.
Checklist
- 1Receive Notice of Appraised Value
- 2File protest online at HCAD (by deadline)
- 3Gather evidence (comps, photos, repair estimates)
- 4Attend informal review (phone/video or in person)
- 5Request ARB hearing if no settlement at informal
What homeowners say
“I had no idea how to protest my appraisal. The document package made it simple — I walked into my ARB hearing confident and got my value reduced by $48,000.”
“Chose the contingency plan because I wasn't sure it would work. It did. TCAD dropped my appraisal by $62,000 after I submitted the comp analysis.”
“Super easy. Uploaded my notice, got a full evidence packet back in two days. The comparable sales alone were worth it — I never would have found those myself.”
Hire me as your protest agent
As a certified realtor and licensed protest agent, I handle your entire protest — filing, the informal meeting, and the hearing if needed. Available for Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. You don't attend a single meeting.
What evidence to gather
Strong evidence helps support your value opinion. Gather what applies to your situation.
- 1
Comparable sales (comps)
Recent sales of similar properties in your area. The appraisal district may provide a report; you can also use public records or real estate sites. Focus on similar size, age, and location.
- 2
Photos of condition
Pictures of damage, deferred maintenance, or issues that affect value (e.g. foundation, roof, HVAC).
- 3
Repair estimates
Written estimates from contractors for needed repairs. These can support a lower value.
- 4
Purchase documents (recent buyers)
If you bought recently and the appraised value is above your purchase price, your closing documents (e.g. HUD-1/settlement statement) are strong evidence. Williamson County offers Express Review for this situation.
Tip: Print this page or take notes to bring to your informal meeting or ARB hearing.
Preparing for your hearing
What to bring
- Multiple copies of your evidence for the ARB panel and the appraisal district representative.
- Your Notice of Appraised Value and any HCAD correspondence.
- A clear written summary of your opinion of value—based on comparable sales, purchase price, or repair costs.
Do’s
- Be on time. Hearings are held at the HCAD office in Kyle; confirm whether phone or video is available for your hearing.
- Lead with your strongest evidence first—comparable sales are the most persuasive.
- Ask the appraiser to explain their methodology so you can address it directly.
Don’ts
- Don’t miss your hearing without contacting HCAD; your protest will likely be dismissed.
- Don’t rely on Zillow estimates alone—bring actual closed sale records from MLS or HCAD public records.
- Don’t forget to bring your own copies; don’t assume the district has them.
Hays County FAQs
- What cities are in Hays County?
- Hays County includes Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Woodcreek, Mountain City, and parts of San Marcos and Austin. All are served by Hays Central Appraisal District (HCAD) at 21001 N IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640.
- How do I file a protest in Hays County?
- File online at hayscad.com/protest/ using your Property ID and PIN from your Notice of Appraised Value. You can also mail or deliver a written notice of protest to HCAD before the deadline.
- What is the protest deadline for Hays County?
- May 15 or 30 days after the date HCAD mailed your Notice of Appraised Value—whichever is later. There are no extensions under Texas law.
Official links
File and schedule only through HCAD. We are not the appraisal district.
- File protest online (HCAD)
Official HCAD protest portal — have your Property ID and PIN from your notice ready.
- HCAD property search
Look up your property record, appraised value, and account details.
- HCAD — Contact & location
21001 N IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640. Phone: 512-268-2522.