What Happens at an ARB Hearing, and How to Prepare

If your protest didn't settle at the informal meeting, the next stop is a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, or ARB. Most people walk in expecting a judge, a gavel and a bailiff. What they find looks more like a conference room at the library.

Here's how it goes, start to finish.

Who's in the room at an ARB hearing?

Usually three ARB members, someone from the appraisal district, and you. The ARB members are local residents appointed to the board. Texas Tax Code §6.412 bars anyone who works for the appraisal district, or sits on its board, from serving on the ARB, and §41.66(f) bars members from discussing your case with anyone outside the hearing.

The district sends an appraiser or a staff representative to defend its value. That person has done this many times. You haven't, and that's fine. The panel knows it, too. Hearings are also open to the public, so you may see someone waiting for the next slot.

How long does an ARB hearing last, and what happens in order?

Many appraisal review boards schedule about 15 minutes per hearing. Travis County's ARB says that's the goal, and Williamson County's 2026 materials say the same. Plan for a short, structured conversation.

It usually goes like this. The panel opens the hearing and swears in anyone who'll testify, which means you promise to tell the truth. Under Texas Tax Code §41.66(b), you get to choose whether to present before or after the district. Each side presents its evidence, and each side can ask the other questions. In practice that's a couple of polite questions about a comp, not a TV cross-examination. There's a quick chance to respond, then the panel talks it over and votes. Many panels announce a decision right there.

The official answer comes in writing. Under §41.47, the board must send its order within 30 days of the hearing (45 days in counties of 4 million people or more), by certified mail or electronically if you chose that.

Can I attend my ARB hearing by phone or video?

Yes. Texas Tax Code §41.45 lets you have your hearing by phone or video if you ask in writing ahead of time. Since a 2025 change, that request is due at least 5 days before the hearing, or 10 days if you've hired an agent. A board in a county of fewer than 100,000 people that doesn't have the technology can skip video.

There are other options if the date doesn't work. You can ask for a hearing in the evening or on a Saturday, which §41.71 requires boards to offer. If you don't have an agent, §41.45(e) gives you one postponement without having to explain why, as long as you ask before the hearing date. You can also submit your evidence by sworn affidavit instead of showing up, though it's harder to answer the district's points when you aren't there.

What should I say at my hearing, and what should I avoid?

Say your number, show your best evidence, and name the law you're relying on. Our post on presenting your protest evidence has a simple script for that part.

Skip anything about tax rates or how much your bill went up. The panel decides your value, not your tax rate. The Texas Comptroller says it plainly: neither the ARB nor the appraisal district sets your taxes. Skip hardship, too. A rough year is real, but it doesn't change what a house is worth on January 1. Don't argue with the panel or take shots at the appraiser. And don't try to contact panel members before the hearing. That's against the rules for them, and it won't help you.

How do I stay calm, and what happens if I lose?

Practice once out loud, show up early, and bring water. You're allowed to read from notes. If you lose your place, say so and look at your summary page. Nobody's grading your delivery.

Panels side with the district sometimes, even when a homeowner did everything right. If that happens, you have options. Within 60 days of receiving the written order, you can request binding arbitration through the Texas Comptroller (§41A.03) or appeal to district court (§42.21). For a homestead worth $500,000 or less, the arbitration deposit is $450. Many people decide to try again next year instead, with a better packet and a year of practice.

Our free tool compares your appraisal to similar nearby homes and prints the evidence for you, which takes care of most of the preparation before you ever walk in.

Quick answers

Who decides my property tax protest at an ARB hearing? A panel of Appraisal Review Board members, usually three. They're local residents who can't be employees or board members of the appraisal district, and they're barred from discussing your case outside the hearing.

Can I have my Texas ARB hearing by phone or video? Yes. Under Texas Tax Code §41.45, you can request a phone or video hearing in writing. Since a 2025 change, the request is due at least 5 days before the hearing, or 10 days if you have an agent.

Does the homeowner or the appraisal district go first at an ARB hearing? You choose. Texas Tax Code §41.66(b) lets the property owner decide whether to present before or after the appraisal district.

What can I do if I lose my ARB hearing? Within 60 days of receiving the board's written order, you can request binding arbitration through the Texas Comptroller or appeal to district court. The arbitration deposit for a homestead worth $500,000 or less is $450.