Travis County's $482 Billion Appraisal Roll: Home Values Dip | The Locally Times
Despite a 5.48% jump in the county's total appraisal roll, single-family home market values fell 1.8%, prompting 427,000 owners to scrutinize notices and consider protests by May 15.
Travis County's total property value soared to $482 billion for 2026, a 5.48% jump, yet most homeowners will see their market values dip. Online values will become available on the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) website starting April 6, 2026, with property owners facing a May 15, 2026, deadline to challenge their valuations. In stark contrast, single-family residences across the county experienced an average 1.8% decline in market value. For residential homesteads, TCAD reports a median market value of $493,449, with the median taxable value standing at $384,747. The deadline to challenge valuations is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. It's key to understand that market value changes don't directly dictate your tax bill; rather, they determine your property's share of the total tax burden set by local taxing entities like cities, counties, and school districts. TCAD strongly encourages filing protests via its online portal, which allows owners to upload evidence, review TCAD's data, evaluate settlement offers, and engage in informal meetings or formal hearings. The informal protest process begins April 6, 2026, offering a chance to resolve disputes directly with a TCAD appraiser. If an informal settlement isn't reached, the independent Travis Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will hear cases, with hearings expected to start in June 2026. Registration and full details are available on the TCAD website. Owners can also submit protests and evidence by mail or in person at the TCAD office at 850 East Anderson Lane. ## Key Questions **When do 2026 appraisal notices arrive?** Notices are mailing to 427,000 owners starting this week. Online values become available April 6, 2026, on the TCAD website. **What's the protest deadline?** May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever date is later. **Why did the overall appraisal roll increase if home values declined?** The county's total appraisal roll grew 5.48% to $482 billion, driven by commercial properties (healthcare, industrial, office). Single-family home market values, in contrast, dropped an average of 1.8%.