Harris County homeowners:
protest your property taxes
HCAD assessed 1,180,765residential properties this year. If you don't protest, you're accepting their number. 67% of homeowners who file get a reduction.
Why protest in Harris County?
Houston values are rising fast
The Houston metro is one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas. HCAD has been increasing appraised values aggressively, and many homes are over-assessed compared to actual market conditions in their neighborhood.
HCAD handles the most protests in Texas
Harris County is the largest county in Texas with 1,180,765 residential properties. The Appraisal Review Board expects protests. Filing is normal, and it works.
No downside risk
Your appraised value cannot increase as a result of protesting. The worst outcome is your value stays the same. There is zero risk.
Savings compound every year
A lower appraised value this year carries forward. One successful protest can save you thousands over the next several years due to the 10% homestead cap.
How to protest your Harris County property taxes
Search your address
We pull your property record from official HCAD data instantly. See your current appraisal and how it compares to similar homes.
Get your evidence report
Professional comparable analysis with per-square-foot breakdowns. The same type of evidence tax consultants use, but you keep 100% of your savings.
File with HCAD iFile
Submit your protest through HCAD's iFile Online system. Upload your evidence report and you're done. Takes about 10 minutes total.
Harris County protest FAQ
When is the Harris County protest deadline?
May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed by HCAD, whichever is later. If you miss it, you accept HCAD's appraised value for the entire year.
How do I file a protest with HCAD?
The fastest way is through HCAD's iFile Online system at hcad.org. You can also file in person or by mail. Our report includes step-by-step instructions for iFile.
How much do Houston homeowners save?
Homeowners who protest in Harris County typically save $500 to $5,000+ per year depending on property value and how over-assessed they are. That savings repeats every year your value stays lower.
What evidence do I need for my HCAD protest?
Comparable sales are the strongest evidence. Our report provides recent sales of similar homes near you with per-square-foot analysis, exactly what the ARB looks at when making their decision.
Can my value go up if I protest?
No. Your appraised value cannot increase as a result of filing a protest. The worst case is it stays the same. There is zero risk to filing.
Every day you wait is a day closer to the deadline.
Search your Houston address. See how your HCAD appraisal compares to similar homes. It takes 10 seconds and it's free.
This is not legal or tax advice. Estimated savings are based on publicly available appraisal data from Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) and may not reflect physical condition or features not captured in public records. Final property values are determined by HCAD and/or the Appraisal Review Board. IndexAppeal is not affiliated with HCAD, the Texas Comptroller, or any government agency.