Texas Property Tax Increase: How to Protest and What to Expect

Few things get a Texas homeowner's attention like opening the mail and seeing a much higher appraised value. If you're dealing with a Texas property tax increase, you have options, and the biggest one is a protest. It is a normal, legal process that thousands of owners use. Here is how it works, what the homestead cap and exemptions do (and don't do), and how a change in your taxes shows up in your mortgage payment.

Your county appraisal district sends a notice of appraised value in some situations, including when the value is higher than last year. The Texas Comptroller says the notice must include a detailed explanation of how to protest and the date and place the appraisal review board (ARB) will begin hearing protests, along with information about informal conferences with the appraisal office.

Read it the day it arrives. Check the basics before you do anything else:

When is the deadline to protest my property taxes in Texas?

In most cases, May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed your notice, whichever is later (the clock starts on the mailing date, not the day you receive it), according to the Texas Comptroller. Check the date on your own notice.

Does the 10 percent homestead cap limit my tax bill?

No. It limits the increase in the appraised value for a qualifying homestead. Your bill also depends on your exemptions and on local tax rates.

Do I need an attorney or agent to protest?

The Comptroller describes a process homeowners can follow themselves: file Form 50-132, gather evidence, and attend the hearing. Some owners get help, and that's your call.

Will my mortgage payment go up if my property taxes go up?

If your taxes are escrowed, yes, your escrow portion can rise. Your annual escrow statement shows the change. Principal and interest on a fixed-rate loan do not change.