Your Texas Property Tax
Legal Rights

Right to protest market value

You can protest that your home's appraised value exceeds its actual market value. The burden is on you to provide evidence — typically recent comparable sales. Because Texas is a non-disclosure state (sale prices aren't public record), this argument is harder to prove without paid data. Most residential protestors use §41.43 instead.

Right to equal (unequal) appraisal

This is the most powerful argument for Texas homeowners. If your home is appraised at a higher $/sqft than similar properties in your neighborhood — using the same county appraisal data — the ARB must reduce your value. You don't need sale prices. The county's own data is the evidence. The standard is the median appraised value of a representative sample of comparable properties.

Right to file a protest by the deadline

You have until May 15 or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is delivered — whichever is later. You may file even if you didn't receive a mailed notice, as long as you file by the applicable deadline. Late protests are not accepted (with very limited clerical-error exceptions).

Right to access the CAD's evidence before your hearing

At least 14 days before your ARB hearing, the appraisal district must give you access to the evidence it intends to use. This means you can see exactly what comparable properties the CAD selected to support its value — and prepare a rebuttal. Request this evidence proactively; most CADs provide it through their online portal.

Right to a meaningful ARB hearing

The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) must give you an opportunity to present evidence and arguments. They cannot rubber-stamp the CAD's value without considering your evidence. Hearings must be held at a reasonable time. You have the right to present witnesses, submit documents, and cross-examine the CAD's appraiser.

Right to a decision based on the evidence

The ARB must issue its determination based on the evidence presented. It cannot simply accept the CAD's appraisal without independent review. The determination must be in writing, and you have the right to receive a copy.

Right to reschedule your hearing

You can reschedule an ARB hearing for good cause. Requests must be made at least 4 days before the hearing. The ARB may grant or deny — but the right to request exists. If the ARB denies without cause, that itself can be grounds for further appeal.

Right to appeal to district court

If you're unsatisfied with the ARB's decision, you can appeal to the state district court within 60 days. This is a de novo review — the court considers evidence fresh, not just what the ARB saw. Most homeowners don't reach this stage, but the right exists and is meaningful leverage in negotiations.