Harris County
Property Tax Guide
Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD)
Contact Your CAD
Always verify this link is current at your CAD's official website before filing.
Important: Always verify current deadlines with HCAD directly at hcad.org or 713-957-7800. This is educational content only, not legal, tax, or appraisal advice.
Typical Protest Deadline
May 15 or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later.
This is the general rule. Always confirm the exact deadline directly with Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD).
Estimate Your Specific Deadline
Enter your notice mail date for a personalised estimate.
General Filing Steps
- 1
Receive your Notice of Appraised Value (typically mailed April–May).
- 2
Review the assessed value on the HCAD website and compare to your opinion of market value.
- 3
File a protest online at iFile.hcad.org, by mail, or in person at the CAD office before the deadline.
- 4
Gather comparable sales data and any evidence of property condition issues.
- 5
Attend your informal hearing with a CAD appraiser.
- 6
If unresolved, request a formal ARB (Appraisal Review Board) hearing.
- 7
Accept the final value or pursue binding arbitration / district court appeal.
Commonly Required Documents
- Notice of Appraised Value (or your CAD property account number)
- Recent comparable sales (within 0.5–1 mile, similar size/age/condition)
- Photos documenting any property condition issues
- Recent appraisal or licensed inspection report (if available)
- Repair estimates for documented damage
- Deed or title documents showing ownership
Evidence Tips for Harris County
- Pull 3–6 comparable sales from the past 6–12 months using HCAD's own data or HAR.com.
- Focus on properties similar in square footage (±15%), age (±5 years), and condition.
- Photograph any deferred maintenance, foundation cracks, roof damage, or interior issues.
- Check HCAD's website for your property's improvement sketches, errors are common.
- Unequal appraisal claims are highly effective. Use HCAD's own database for ratios.
About Harris County Property Taxes
Harris County is the most populous county in Texas, home to Houston and dozens of surrounding municipalities. The Harris Central Appraisal District manages appraisals for more than one million residential property accounts, spanning a wide range of neighborhoods from urban midrise buildings near downtown to single family homes in communities like Katy, Spring, and Pearland. Because of this scale and diversity, property values can differ significantly from one ZIP code to the next and even from one street to another within the same area.
If you receive a Notice of Appraised Value from HCAD, compare the assessed figure to what you believe the home would actually sell for in today's market. A gap between your assessed value and a realistic sale price, or between how HCAD valued your home versus similar nearby homes, can both support a protest.
Protest Preparation Tips
Before filing your protest, gathering a few things in advance will help the hearing go smoothly.
- Download your Notice of Appraised Value. Your HCAD account number is printed on it and you will need it to file.
- Log in to hcad.org and review your property's improvement sketch and recorded square footage. Errors in these figures are a common and often overlooked basis for a reduction.
- Take photos of any condition issues such as foundation cracks, roof damage, water intrusion, or deferred maintenance that may affect the property's market value.
- Use the Comp Finder on this site to see how similar properties in your ZIP code are appraised in HCAD's own data.
- If you have a recent independent appraisal or licensed inspection report, include it as supporting evidence.
Building Your Evidence
Two types of evidence are most commonly used in Harris County protests.
- Market value evidence: recent comparable sales showing your home is worth less than the assessed value. Texas does not publicly require the reporting of sale prices, so finding reliable sales data takes some research, but real estate platforms and recent listings can help.
- Unequal appraisal evidence: HCAD's own assessed values for similar nearby properties, showing that your home is assessed at a higher rate per square foot than comparable homes. This argument does not require sale prices and is often very effective.
- Property condition evidence: photographs, repair estimates, and licensed inspection reports documenting issues that reduce the home's value. Strong condition evidence usually requires more than photographs alone.
Local Verification Reminder
HCAD's deadlines, online filing platform, required forms, and hearing procedures are subject to change each protest season. Always confirm the current process directly at hcad.org or by calling 713-957-7800 before you file.
HCAD's online filing system at owners.hcad.org is the standard platform for most residential accounts, but verify that it applies to your account type before submitting your protest there.
Helpful Next Steps
- Verify your property's square footage and improvement sketch on hcad.org before your hearing
- File your protest before the deadline and keep a copy of your confirmation for your records
Sources & Last Verified
This county guide is prepared for general educational purposes using publicly available property tax information, county appraisal district resources, and Texas property tax guidance. Property tax deadlines, forms, protest procedures, and local requirements can change. Always confirm important details directly with your county appraisal district or a qualified professional.
See something outdated or incorrect? Contact us with the county name, page URL, the information that needs correction, and an official source link if available.
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