2026 Protest Season
Travis County Property Tax Protest
Automated comparable property analysis for Austin-area homeowners. Enter your address to see if the evidence supports a protest with the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD).
Check your Travis County property
Free property lookup. Full analysis and protest packet for $35.
Enter Your AddressProtesting Property Taxes in Travis County
Travis County has among the highest median home values in Texas, driven by Austin's tech-driven economic growth. The rapid appreciation from 2020-2023 has moderated, but many properties remain assessed at values that may exceed current market conditions.
Austin-area homeowners face a unique situation: after years of aggressive value increases, the market has cooled in many neighborhoods. Properties that were reassessed upward during the 2021-2022 boom may now be appraised above what comparable recent sales support, creating strong grounds for a market value protest. East Austin, South Austin, and suburban communities like Pflugerville and Manor have seen the most volatility. TCAD has been one of the most-protested appraisal districts in the state in recent years. They offer an online protest filing system and provide detailed property information through their website, including comparable property data the district uses in its assessments. Travis County also has a relatively high rate of formal ARB hearings compared to other large counties.
Travis County at a Glance
Major Cities
Austin
Pflugerville, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Lago Vista, Manor
Median Home Value
$420,000-$500,000
Approximate range
Standard Protest Deadline
May 15, 2026
Or 30 days after notice, whichever is later
What the Analysis Covers for Travis County Properties
Our automated analysis evaluates two independent protest arguments for your Travis County property:
Market Value (§ 41.41)
Compares your appraised value to recent comparable sales and an independent automated valuation model. If TCAD set your value above market, this analysis documents the gap.
Unequal Appraisal (§ 41.43)
Compares your improvement value per square foot to similar Travis County properties. If your assessment is higher than the median, the evidence supports an equity-based reduction.
Both analyses use publicly available TCAD appraisal records and comparable sales data via the ATTOM national property database — the same underlying data TCAD uses to set your value.
How to File a Protest with TCAD
- Receive your Notice of Appraised Value from TCAD (typically mailed in April).
- File Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) before the deadline — online at traviscad.org, by mail, or in person.
- Select your protest grounds: "Value is over market value" and/or "Value is unequal compared with other properties."
- Attend your informal hearing with your evidence (our PDF packet is organized for this).
- If not resolved at the informal stage, proceed to a formal ARB hearing.
Travis County Protest FAQ
How do I file a protest with TCAD?
File online at traviscad.org, by mail, or in person at 850 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752. Online filing through their portal is the most efficient option.
Are Austin property values still increasing?
After rapid increases from 2020-2022, Austin-area values have moderated and in some neighborhoods have decreased. If your appraised value was set during the peak market period, current comparable sales may support a reduction.
What is the protest deadline for Travis County?
The standard deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. TCAD typically mails notices in mid-April.
Does TCAD have a high protest success rate?
Travis County sees a high volume of protests, and many result in reductions — particularly when homeowners present organized comparable data. Success depends on the strength of your evidence relative to the district's comparable properties.
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or property tax consulting services. Data sources include publicly available appraisal district records. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed property tax consultant or attorney.