Citizens Tax Protest Service — Texas

Is your home over-appraised compared to your neighbors?

Select your county, enter your address, and see how your appraisal compares to similar homes nearby — then generate a ready-to-file protest packet in minutes.

Street address only — no apartment or suite numbers needed.

How it works

From address to filed protest in four steps — all free, no account required.

1

Enter your address

Search for your property by street address. We pull live data directly from your county appraisal district's public records.

2

Review comparable properties

We find similar homes in your neighborhood and calculate adjusted values using standard Texas appraisal methods.

3

See your protest estimate

If your appraisal is higher than the adjusted median of comparable properties, you have grounds to protest under §42.26(a)(3).

4

Download your filing packet

Generate a complete evidence package — pre-filled Form 50-132, comp analysis, and legal argument — ready to submit to your appraisal district.

The protest gap

70% of Texas homeowners never protest their appraisal — even when they're over-assessed.

Appraisal districts set values in bulk using mass-appraisal models. Errors are common, and the system is designed so that unchallenged values stick. Most homeowners lose money every year simply because they don't know they have a case — or don't know how to make one.

Why most people don't protest

  • "I don't know if I even have a case." Without comparable data, it's impossible to tell if your assessment is fair.
  • "The process is too complicated." ARB hearings, evidence packets, Texas Tax Code citations — it's overwhelming without a guide.
  • "I can't afford a consultant." Protest firms charge up to 40% of your savings. Many homeowners decide it isn't worth it.

What our tool fixes

  • Instant case assessment. We pull live appraisal data and compare your home to similar properties — you'll know in seconds if you have grounds to protest.
  • Plain-English guidance. We walk you through the §42.26 unequal-appraisal process step by step, so you can represent yourself confidently.
  • Ready-to-file documents. We generate your evidence packet and pre-filled Form 50-132 automatically — no consultant, no commission.

Built on Texas Tax Code §42.26(a)(3) — Unequal Appraisal

Texas law requires that your property be appraised at the median level of appraisal of a reasonable sample of comparable properties. If your appraisal district has appraised your home higher than that median — even if the value seems "fair" in the market — you are legally entitled to a reduction. This tool identifies comparable properties in your neighborhood, applies standard Texas adjustment methodology for differences in size, features, and age, and tells you whether you have grounds to protest. The full methodology is shown on the analysis page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you start.

Who should use this service?

Any Texas homeowner who has received their annual appraisal notice and wants to challenge it — without hiring a professional or paying a commission. If you're comfortable filing your own paperwork and want to keep 100% of any savings you win, this tool is built for you.

It's especially useful if your appraisal went up significantly year-over-year, or if you suspect neighboring homes of similar size and age are appraised lower than yours.

Why is the service free?

We're Texans who believe every homeowner deserves access to the same protest tools that professionals use — not just those who can afford to pay $50–$80 in flat fees or give up 40% of their savings to a commission firm.

We keep our costs low by using publicly available data from each county's appraisal district. Voluntary donations help us cover operating costs and expand to new counties, but the service will always be free to use.

What counties do you serve?

We currently support Williamson County. We're actively working to add Harris County, Travis County, Brazos County, and additional Texas counties. Donations directly fund that expansion — each new county requires integrating with a different set of data sources.

If your county isn't listed yet, check back soon or consider a donation to help us get there faster.

What is the protest filing deadline?

In Texas, the general deadline to file a protest is May 15, or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed — whichever is later. Missing the deadline typically means waiting until next year.

Check the deadline printed on your official appraisal notice, as it may differ slightly by county or property type. Don't wait — the process takes only a few minutes with this tool.

Do I need a lawyer or agent to file a protest?

No. Texas law gives every property owner the right to protest their own appraisal and represent themselves at the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. No license, agent, or legal representation is required.

This tool provides everything you need: the data, the adjusted comparable analysis, and a pre-filled evidence packet that meets Texas ARB standards.

How accurate is the analysis?

The tool pulls live data directly from your county's public appraisal records and applies the same adjustment methodology appraisal professionals use under Texas Tax Code §42.26. It's not a guess — it's the same math.

That said, the ARB makes the final decision, and outcomes vary depending on the comparable properties available in your neighborhood and the strength of your specific case. The tool will tell you upfront if the data suggests you have strong grounds to protest.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Data is sourced live from each county appraisal district's public APIs and may differ from official records. Always verify values against your official appraisal notice before filing a protest. Currently supports Williamson County. Additional Texas counties coming soon.