Travis Homeowners: Don't Miss May 15 Deadline to Fight Your Property Value | The Locally Times
While the county's total appraisal roll surged by 5.48%, single-family home values dipped. Over 427,000 owners must act by May 15 to ensure they're not overtaxed.
Hundreds of thousands of Travis County homeowners are facing a crucial deadline: May 15. That's when the window closes to challenge your 2026 property valuation, a step that directly impacts your share of the total tax levy. The Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) will make 2026 market values available online starting April 6. Property owners can file a protest with TCAD by May 15, 2026, or 30 days after their notice is mailed, whichever date is later. ## 2026 Valuation Trends and Tax Impact Travis County's overall appraisal roll swelled by 5.48% to $482 billion for 2026, driven by significant increases in healthcare, industrial, and office commercial properties, TCAD reports. This surge comes despite a notable trend for homeowners: single-family residences actually saw an average decline of 1.8% in market value. The median market value for a residential homestead property in Travis County now stands at $493,449 for 2026, with a median taxable value of $384,747. It's crucial to understand that a change in market value doesn't automatically mean a change in your tax bill. Instead, these valuations determine your property's share of the total tax levy, which local taxing entities like cities, counties, and school districts set through their annual budgets. ## Navigating the Protest Process If you believe your property's market value is incorrect, filing a protest is your next step. TCAD's informal protest process kicks off on April 6, 2026. During this period, property owners can meet informally with a TCAD appraiser to discuss their valuation and potentially resolve the protest without further action. TCAD strongly encourages filing protests through its online portal. This digital platform allows you to easily upload evidence, review the appraisal district’s own evidence, and receive settlement offers. Virtual informal meetings and formal hearings are also available through your online account. For those preferring traditional methods, protests and supporting evidence are also accepted by mail and in person at the TCAD office. Should an informal settlement not be reached, property owners can present their case to the Travis Appraisal Review Board (ARB). This independent group is authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district. ## Key Dates for Property Owners Mark your calendars: * **April 6, 2026:** TCAD makes 2026 market values available online, and the informal protest process begins. Reviewing this notice is vital to ensure property information accuracy and confirm all eligible exemptions are claimed. * **May 15, 2026 (or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later):** This is the final deadline to file your property tax protest. ## Your Action Plan * **Check Your Value:** Starting April 6, 2026, view your 2026 market value online at TCAD's website. Verify all details and exemptions. * **File Your Protest:** If you disagree with your valuation, file a protest online, by mail, or in person. * **Don't Miss the Deadline:** The final protest deadline is May 15, 2026, or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later.