Travis County
Austin · Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD)
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.
Travis County protest workflow
Select where you are in the process to see exactly what to do next.
Where are you right now?
How to protest in Travis County
- 1
File your protest by the deadline
File online at TCAD (recommended) using your Property ID and PIN from your notice, or by mail/in person. Online filing gives you earlier access to schedule your informal meeting.
- 2
Schedule your informal review
You get one informal meeting per property. It’s done by phone or videoconference. Schedule a specific time in the TCAD portal or use “Get in Line Online” for the same-day queue.
- 3
Prepare evidence
Gather comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates, or other support for your value. If you don’t settle at the informal, you’ll need 5 sets of evidence for the ARB hearing.
- 4
ARB hearing (if needed)
If you don’t reach an agreement at the informal review, request a formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. You’ll get written notice at least 15 days before. Hearings are typically June–August. You can appear in person at 850 E Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78752; by phone or videoconference; or by submitting a written affidavit.
Checklist
- 1Receive Notice of Appraised Value
- 2File protest online at TCAD (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
- 5 sets of your evidence (one for the ARB, one for the district, and copies as needed).
- Your Notice of Appraised Value and any correspondence from TCAD.
- A clear summary of your opinion of value and how you calculated it (e.g. based on comps or purchase price).
Do’s
- Be on time. If you can’t attend, request to appear by phone, video, or affidavit if allowed.
- Stick to facts and evidence. Present comps or repair costs in a simple, organized way.
- Ask for the outcome in writing and keep a copy.
Don’ts
- Don’t miss your hearing without notice—your protest may be dismissed.
- Don’t rely on emotional appeals alone; bring documentation.
- Don’t assume the district has your documents; bring your own sets.
Travis County FAQs
- How many informal meetings do I get?
- One informal meeting per property per year. It’s conducted by phone or videoconference. Use it to present your evidence and try to reach an agreement before the formal ARB hearing.
- Where are ARB hearings held?
- In-person hearings are held at 850 E Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78752. You can also request to appear by phone or videoconference, or to submit a written affidavit in lieu of appearing.
Get your 2026 deadline reminder
Austin appraisal notices go out every spring. Sign up and we'll email you when it's time to protest again — so you never miss the deadline.
Official links
File and schedule only through TCAD. We are not the appraisal district.
- File protest online (TCAD)
Official protest portal — have your Property ID and PIN ready.
- Account search (Travis County Tax Office)
Look up your property tax account, balance, statements, pay online, or enroll in a payment plan.
- Get in Line Online
Join the queue for same-day informal review.
- TCAD — Appraised value protests
County tax office info on protests.