Property Tax Glossary
Definitions of common property tax terms.
Who handles protests
The Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) and the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) handle protests. Neither is part of the Tax Office. TCAD determines appraised values; the ARB reviews protests and makes final determinations. The Tax Office bills based on whatever value the ARB certifies.
When to file
The protest deadline is the later of May 15 or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed. TCAD mails notices in early April, so the deadline for most property owners is May 15. File as early as possible; late protests are not accepted except in specific circumstances.
Grounds for protest
Common grounds for a valid protest:
- The appraised value is above market value based on recent comparable sales.
- The property is appraised unequally compared to similar properties in the neighborhood.
- The property description or improvements shown on the appraisal record are incorrect.
- The property was denied an exemption or a special valuation (such as agricultural use) that it qualifies for.
- The tax authority applied an incorrect tax situs (jurisdiction).
The protest process
Filing a protest is the first step. TCAD reviews the protest and often offers a settlement before a formal hearing. If you accept the offer, the protest resolves and the settled value applies to your bill. If you decline, an ARB hearing is scheduled where you present evidence and TCAD staff respond. The ARB issues a written decision, which is final unless you appeal further to district court or binding arbitration.
What to bring to a hearing
- Evidence supporting your position: comparable sales, photos of the property's condition, contractor estimates for repairs, appraisals, insurance appraisals, and so on.
- Copies of any documents you want the ARB to see; the ARB does not keep evidence from previous years on file.
- Time to present. Most hearings are scheduled for 15 to 30 minutes.
The TCAD website has a Property Owner's Guide with worked examples and hearing preparation tips.
