How Do I Protest My Property Taxes in Texas?

If you own property in Carrollton, Plano, or elsewhere in North Texas, protesting your property taxes can be worth considering when your assessed value feels out of line with the market or comparable homes nearby.

If you own a home in North Texas, you’ll likely get your property tax notice around April each year with a deadline to protest usually about mid May and a final decision somewhere in the late summer early fall.

And if you’ve ever opened one and thought,“There’s no way my house is worth that…” You’re not wrong to question it. What most homeowners don’t realize is:👉 you can protest your property tax value👉 and it can actually make a meaningful difference in what you pay. But once you start looking into it, it can feel… a little overwhelming. So let’s break it down simply.

Step 1: Look at Your Notice (Don’t Ignore It)

When your appraisal notice comes in, check:

• Your market value

• Last year’s value

• How much it increased

If your value jumped more than expected, that’s your first signal to take a closer look.

Step 2: Understand What the County Is Looking For

A lot of people think this is just about pulling comparable sales.

It’s not.

Depending on your situation, the county may want:

• Photos of your home (especially anything needing repair)

• Descriptions of condition

• Receipts or invoices (roof, foundation, etc.)

• Documentation that supports why your home should be valued lower

And in some cases:

• You may go through multiple steps

• There can be informal reviews

• Or even hearings

👉 This is where most people get stuck.

Step 3: Decide How You Want to Handle It

You have three main options:

Option 1: Do It Yourself

You can absolutely protest your taxes on your own.

This usually involves:

• Filing your protest

• Gathering your own evidence

• Communicating with the appraisal district

• Potentially attending a hearing

Some homeowners do this successfully.

I’ll be honest though—I haven’t personally had success going this route, and it can take more time and effort than people expect.

Option 2: Use a Property Tax Protest Service

This is the route I’ve taken the past few years.

There are companies that handle the entire process for you—from filing to negotiation to hearings if needed.

I’ve personally used Ownwell, and they’ve successfully lowered my value every year.

There are also other well-known local options, including:

• North Texas Property Tax Services

• Property Tax Protest

• Texas Tax Protest

Most of these companies work on a contingency basis, meaning:👉 they only get paid if they save you money

For a lot of homeowners, this is the easiest and most effective route.

Option 3: Work with a Tax Consultant or Attorney

For more complex situations (higher-value homes, unique properties, or large discrepancies), some people choose to work with:

• Property tax consultants

• Tax attorneys

This can be a more hands-on, tailored approach—but typically comes with higher fees.

Step 4: Don’t Miss the Deadline

This part is important.

In Texas, you generally have until:👉 May 15 (or 30 days after your notice is sent)

to file your protest.

If you miss that window, your options become much more limited.

So… Is It Worth It?

In many cases—yes.

Even a small reduction in your assessed value can mean:👉 hundreds or even thousands saved over time

And the key thing to remember is:

This isn’t about “getting away with something.”It’s about making sure your home is valued fairly.

My Take

If you’re comfortable navigating the protest process and have the time to gather your own evidence, you can absolutely handle it yourself.

Personally, I’ve chosen to use Ownwell because I like the hands-off approach. They handle the protest process for me, and for my 2026 property tax protest they successfully reduced my assessed value from $368,045 to $345,000, with an estimated $400 in tax savings. I shared the screenshot below.

For me, that makes it an easy decision: I don’t have to keep track of deadlines, build the case, or deal with the protest myself.

If you’d rather hand it off too, you can check your property with Ownwell here.

Results vary by property and appraisal district.

Final Thought

Most people don’t think about their property taxes until that notice shows up.

But taking a few minutes to review it—and deciding how you want to handle it—can be one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re not overpaying year after year.

If you have questions about your value or want a second set of eyes before deciding what to do, I’m always happy to help.

Janine Alexander is a Texas real estate broker serving Carrollton, Plano, Denton County and surrounding North Texas communities.