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In Texas, you protest your ad valorem (property) taxes by protesting the appraised value of your property with your county’s Appraisal Review Board (ARB). You are not protesting the tax rate itself—the appraisal district determines value, while elected local governments set tax rates. 

Steps to Protest Your Property Taxes in Texas

1. Review your Notice of Appraised Value

Your county appraisal district sends a notice showing:

• Current appraised value
• Prior year’s value
• Exemptions
• Instructions for filing a protest 

2. File a Notice of Protest

You file a written protest with the Appraisal Review Board for your county.

Deadline: Generally May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed your notice, whichever is later. 

You can usually file:

• Online through your appraisal district website
• By mail
• In person

The standard form is Texas Comptroller Form 50-132 (Property Owner’s Notice of Protest), although a written notice containing the required information can also be sufficient. 

3. Choose Your Grounds for Protest

Common reasons include:

A. Market Value Too High

• Comparable homes sold for less
• The appraisal does not reflect current market conditions

B. Unequal Appraisal

• Similar homes in your neighborhood have lower appraised values

C. Errors in the Appraisal Record
Examples:

• Incorrect square footage
• Wrong number of bedrooms/bathrooms
• Incorrect lot size
• Features listed that do not exist

D. Property Condition
Examples:

• Foundation problems
• Roof damage
• Flood damage
• Needed repairs

4. Gather Evidence

Strong evidence includes:

• Recent comparable sales (“comps”)
• MLS sales information
• Photos of defects
• Repair estimates
• Appraisals
• Closing documents (if you recently bought the property)

5. Attend the Informal Review

Many appraisal districts first offer an informal meeting with an appraiser. You present your evidence and try to reach an agreement. 

6. Attend the Formal ARB Hearing

If you do not resolve it informally:

• You present your evidence to the ARB
• The appraisal district presents its evidence
• The ARB issues a written decision 

7. Further Appeals

If you disagree with the ARB decision, you may have additional appeal options, including district court, binding arbitration, or certain administrative appeals depending on the property and circumstances. 

Since you have a Texas real estate background, you may also appreciate that the strongest protests usually focus on value evidence rather than arguing that taxes are too high. The ARB’s authority is over the appraised value, not the tax burden.