Harris County, TX Property Tax Appeal Deadline 2026

For most homeowners in Houston, Pasadena and Katy, the regular 2026 protest window closed on May 15 (or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever was later — Tex. Tax Code §41.44). But closed regular window ≠ nothing you can do.

Texas Tax Code §25.25 keeps two doors open: §25.25(c) corrections for clerical errors, duplicate appraisals, or property that doesn't exist — available up to five years back — and §25.25(d) substantial-error motions, available until your taxes become delinquent (February 1) when the appraised value overshoots by more than one-fourth. Both are filed with the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) / Harris County Appraisal Review Board, free of charge.

And because Texas is a non-disclosure state, the strongest 2027 protest argument is often equal-and-uniform comparison against the appraised values of similar neighboring homes (§41.43(b)(3)) — evidence you can start building now, before notices mail in April 2027.

• HCAD's iFile portal handles protests and §25.25 correction motions online — no paper filing needed for most homeowners.

What you can still do in Harris County — step by step

1. 1

   Check your record for hard errors

   Pull your property record from the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) and verify square footage, lot size, condition, and exemptions. A clerical error qualifies for a §25.25(c) correction — up to five years back.

2. 2

   Test for a substantial overshoot

   If the 2026 appraised value exceeds the property's actual value by more than one-fourth, a §25.25(d) motion can still correct it this year — file before taxes go delinquent on February 1.

3. 3

   Verify your homestead exemption

   The homestead exemption plus its 10% annual appraisal cap is the single biggest recurring saving for Texas homeowners — make sure it's on file.

4. 4

   Build your 2027 equity case now

   Note the appraised values of comparable homes on your street this year. Under §41.43(b)(3), being appraised above the median of comparable properties is itself grounds for a reduction.

5. 5

   Calendar the 2027 window

   Notices of Appraised Value mail around April 2027; the protest deadline is May 15, 2027 (or 30 days after your notice, whichever is later — extended to the next business day when it falls on a weekend).

Frequently asked questions

• Can I still protest my 2026 property taxes in Harris County?

  The regular protest window closed May 15, 2026. You may still qualify for a §25.25(c) correction (clerical errors — up to five years back) or a §25.25(d) substantial-error motion (value overstated by more than one-fourth — before February 1 delinquency).

• When is the 2027 protest deadline in Harris County?

  May 15, 2027, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is delivered, whichever is later. Notices typically mail in April.

• Does it cost anything to protest in Texas?

  No. Filing a protest or a §25.25 correction motion is free.

• What's the strongest evidence in a Texas protest?

  Texas doesn't publish sale prices (non-disclosure), so equal-and-uniform comparison — showing your home is appraised above the median of comparable properties (§41.43(b)(3)) — is often stronger than sales data for homeowners.