Travis County Tax Roll Hits $482B: Commercial Soars, Home Values Drop | The Locally Times
Travis County's property valuation hits $482 billion, driven by a commercial boom, even as average home values fall 1.8%. The surge expands the tax base for local governments.
Travis County's property tax base has swelled to a record $482 billion, a 5.48% jump, fueled by a booming commercial sector even as average single-family home values saw a 1.8% decline. This increase in the total appraisal roll, released by the Travis Central Appraisal District, is primarily driven by growth in healthcare, industrial, and office properties. The Travis Central Appraisal District points to healthcare, industrial, and office properties as the primary drivers of this growth. However, the specific percentage of the tax roll increase attributable to each commercial property type remains undisclosed in available records. This commercial expansion significantly boosts the county's total assessed value, forming the foundation for local taxing entities – including cities, the county, and school districts – to levy property taxes. A larger appraisal roll provides these entities with an expanded tax base to fund their annual budgets. ## Residential Values See Average Decline While commercial properties soared, single-family residences in Travis County experienced an average 1.8% decline in market value. The median market value for a residential homestead property in 2026 is $493,449, with a median taxable value of $384,747. The appraisal district's records do not specify the reasons for this average decline. The Travis Central Appraisal District clarifies that changes in market values do not directly translate into changes in property tax bills. Instead, these values determine a property owner’s share of the total tax levy, which local taxing entities establish through their annual budget processes. Consequently, even with an average decline in residential market values, the overall increase in the county’s appraisal roll means local governments could collect more in total property taxes. These notices, also accessible online via the Travis Central Appraisal District's website, detail the market value assigned to a property as of January 1, the taxable value after exemptions, and provide key information on the protest process. This key review helps owners confirm accuracy and ensure all eligible exemptions are claimed. ## The Protest Process and Deadlines Property owners who believe their property’s market value is incorrect can file a protest with the Travis Central Appraisal District. The deadline for filing is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after a notice has been mailed, whichever is later. The Travis Central Appraisal District encourages filing protests through its online portal, which allows owners to upload evidence, review the district’s evidence, and receive settlement offers. Property owners can also attend informal meetings and formal hearings via their online accounts. Protests and supporting evidence are also accepted by mail and in person at the Travis Central Appraisal District office at 850 East Anderson Lane. The informal protest process is set to begin on April 6, 2026. During this period, property owners can meet with a Travis Central Appraisal District appraiser to discuss their property and potentially resolve their protest. Those who do not accept a settlement offer during the informal process retain the opportunity to present their case to the Travis Appraisal Review Board (ARB), an independent group of citizens authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district. ## Impact on Tax Bills The expanded overall appraisal roll means local taxing entities will draw from a larger pool of value to collect property taxes. While individual property values, especially for single-family homes, may have decreased on average, the total taxes collected by cities, the county, and school districts hinge on the tax rates they set, which are determined by their annual budgets. Property owners' tax bills are a function of their property's taxable value and the tax rates set by each taxing unit. A larger total appraisal roll can enable taxing entities to maintain or increase budgets without necessarily raising tax rates, or it could result in higher tax collections if rates remain stable. The ultimate impact on an individual property owner's tax bill will depend on their specific property's appraised value, any applied exemptions, and the tax rates adopted by the various taxing entities in their area. ## Key Questions **How much will my property taxes change?** Changes in market values do not directly translate into changes in property tax bills; instead, values determine a property owner’s share of the total tax levy, which is set by local taxing entities based on their annual budgets. **How do I protest my property value?** Property owners can file a protest with the Travis Central Appraisal District online, by mail, or in person, with a deadline of May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.