Harris County property tax protest 2027: deadline, forms, win rate
To protest your 2027 Harris County assessment, file with the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) by 17 May 2027 (May 15, or 30 days after the date on your appraisal notice, whichever is later, Tex. Tax Code §41.44), online at owners.hcad.org, by mail or in person.
Protest deadline17 May 2027· 209 days leftAppraisal notices mail from early April; most Harris County homeowners receive theirs by the end of April.
Data as of 20 Oct 2026 · HCAD, state recordsHarris County, 2024 protest season
Data as of 20 Oct 2026 · Texas Comptroller ARB survey- 1.Texas Comptroller ARB survey, 2024 — statewide share of protests ending in a lower value and median reduction; Harris-specific figures pending verification
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How to file in Harris County
- Step 1 · by 17 May 2027
File the protest
Online at owners.hcad.org with the account number on your notice, or by mailing Form 50-132. State the grounds the county recognises: incorrect appraised value and unequal appraisal.
- Step 2 · before the hearing
Prepare and submit your evidence
Ask HCAD for the evidence it will use at the hearing at least 14 days before (Tex. Tax Code §41.461); HCAD must provide it free. Comparable appraised values, photos of condition issues, repair estimates and recent sales (if you have them) are all admissible.
- Step 3
Meet, then hear
An informal review with an HCAD appraiser comes first; if you decline the offer, the Appraisal Review Board hears the case. Most reductions happen at the first step.
Before you file: how to read your notice · evidence that works · informal vs formal hearing · when not to appeal
Forms
| Form | Number | Use | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Owner’s Notice of Protest | 50-132 | The protest itself. Filing online through HCAD iFile replaces this form. | Fillable PDF |
| Property Owner’s Affidavit of Evidence | 50-283 | Submit evidence in writing if you cannot attend the hearing. | Fillable PDF |
| Appointment of Agent | 50-162 | Only if someone else represents you. Appealmetrics does not. | Fillable PDF |
Appeal levels
| Level | Who hears it | Deadline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal review | HCAD appraiser (iSettle online or in person) | After you file; HCAD schedules it | Free |
| Formal hearing | Appraisal Review Board (three-member panel) | Scheduled by the ARB; 15 days’ notice | Free |
| Binding arbitration | Texas Comptroller-appointed arbitrator | 60 days after the ARB order | $450–$1,550 deposit (Tex. Tax Code §41A.03) |
| District court | Harris County district court | 60 days after the ARB order | Filing fees and counsel |
What evidence the board accepts
Ask HCAD for the evidence it will use at the hearing at least 14 days before (Tex. Tax Code §41.461); HCAD must provide it free. Comparable appraised values, photos of condition issues, repair estimates and recent sales (if you have them) are all admissible.
Harris County questions
When is the Harris County protest deadline for 2027?
May 17, 2027 (May 15 is a Saturday), or 30 days after the date printed on your appraisal notice, whichever is later. Confirm the date on your notice.
How do I file a protest in Harris County?
File online at owners.hcad.org (iFile) with the account number and the iFile PIN printed on your notice, or mail Comptroller Form 50-132 to HCAD, P.O. Box 922004, Houston, TX 77292-2004.
Can I protest if sale prices are not public in Texas?
Yes. Texas law lets you protest on unequal appraisal: your home’s appraised value compared with the median appraised value of comparable homes, adjusted (Tex. Tax Code §41.43(b)(3)). That test uses the district’s own records.
What is iSettle?
HCAD’s online informal review. After you file through iFile you can accept, reject or counter a settlement offer without a hearing.
Do I need a property tax consultant?
No. Owners may represent themselves at every level. Texas licenses consultants who represent owners; Appealmetrics prepares documents and does not represent you.
Can I protest after the deadline?
Only in limited cases: a late protest with good cause before the ARB approves the records (§41.44(b)), or a motion to correct a substantial error (§25.25). Otherwise, wait for next year and set a reminder.
Check whether yours is over-assessed
Nearby counties
Montgomery County · Fort Bend County · Waller County · Liberty County · Chambers County · Brazoria County · San Jacinto County
- Tex. Tax Code ch. 41 — Local Review
- HCAD — Protest and Appeal procedures
- Texas Comptroller — Appraisal Protests and Appeals
- Texas Comptroller — Property Tax Forms
- Texas Comptroller ARB survey, 2024 — statewide share of protests ending in a lower value and median reduction; Harris-specific figures pending verification
- U.S. Census Bureau, county population estimates (2024) and county gazetteer (2024).