How to Protest Your Property Taxes: A Guide for Travis and Williamson County Homeowners
As a Texas homeowner, you have the right to protest your property tax appraisal if you believe your property’s assessed value is too high. With the 2025 deadline approaching, it’s crucial to understand the process, especially for residents in Travis and Williamson counties.
🗓️ Key Deadline: May 15, 2025
In Texas, the standard deadline to file a property tax protest is May 15 or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. Missing this deadline means forfeiting your right to challenge your property’s assessed value for the year.
🏡 Steps to Protest Your Property Taxes
- Review Your Notice of Appraised Value
Each spring, appraisal districts send out notices detailing your property’s assessed value. Examine this document carefully to determine if the valuation seems accurate based on your property’s condition and comparable sales in your area.
- File a Notice of Protest
If you believe your property is overvalued, you can file a protest through various methods:
- Online: Most appraisal districts offer online portals for filing protests. E-File Your Protest | Travis Central Appraisal District
- By Mail: Send your protest form to the appropriate appraisal district office.
- In Person: Submit your protest at the appraisal district’s office.
Ensure you provide all required information and submit by the deadline.
- Prepare Supporting Evidence
Gather documentation to support your claim, such as:
- Recent sales data of comparable properties
- Photographs showing the property’s condition
- Independent appraisals
- Any discrepancies in the appraisal district’s property description
- Attend Informal and Formal Hearings
After filing, you may be offered an informal meeting with an appraiser to discuss your protest. If unresolved, a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will be scheduled, where you’ll present your evidence.
📍 Specifics for Travis County Residents
- Appraisal District: Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD)
- Online Protest Portal: TCAD e-File System
- Mailing Address: Travis Central Appraisal District
P.O. Box 149012
Austin, TX 78714 - In-Person Address: 850 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752 - Deadline: May 15, 2025, or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.
📍 Specifics for Williamson County Residents
- Appraisal District: Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD)
- Online Protest Portal: WCAD Online Protest Filing
- Mailing Address: Williamson Central Appraisal District
625 FM 1460
Georgetown, TX 78626 - In-Person Address: Same as mailing address
- Deadline: May 15, 2025, or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.
✅ Tips for a Successful Protest
- File Early: Don’t wait until the last minute; early filing allows more time to prepare your case.
- Be Thorough: Provide clear and concise evidence to support your claim.
- Consider Professional Help: If the process seems daunting, consider hiring a property tax consultant familiar with local appraisal districts. Let me know and I can provide some resources. I’m happy to help with a comparative market analysis to see if you should move forward with a protest.
