Best Property Tax Protest Companies in Texas: 2025 Comparison Guide
Texas homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in the country—and with home values continuing to rise, many are turning to professional property tax protest companies for help. But with dozens of firms competing for your business, how do you choose the right one?
This guide compares the leading Texas property tax protest companies, explains their fee structures, and helps you decide whether professional representation is worth it for your situation.
Disclaimer: This comparison is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or financial advice. Company information, fee structures, and service offerings may have changed since publication. We recommend verifying current details directly with each company before making a decision. Ballard Property Tax Protest is included in this comparison and this article is published on our website.
How Property Tax Protest Companies Work
Property tax protest companies file protests on your behalf, gather evidence, negotiate with appraisal districts, and represent you at Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearings. Most operate on a contingency fee basis—you only pay if they reduce your property taxes.
What to Look for in a Protest Company
- Fee structure — Contingency percentage, flat fees, or hybrid models
- No upfront costs — Reputable firms don't charge until they deliver results
- Local experience — Familiarity with your county's appraisal district
- Transparency — Clear communication about your case status
- ARB representation — Willingness to attend hearings, not just file paperwork
Texas Property Tax Protest Companies Compared
Ballard Property Tax Protest
Fee Structure: Contingency-based (percentage of tax savings)
Upfront Cost: None
Service Area: Texas (specializing in Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio metros)
What Sets Them Apart:
- Smaller firm with personalized service and direct communication
- Handles entire process from filing through ARB hearing
- Deep familiarity with major Texas county appraisal districts
- No reduction, no fee guarantee
Best For: Homeowners who want hands-on service and local expertise without upfront risk.
NTPTS (North Texas Property Tax Services)
Fee Structure: Contingency-based
Upfront Cost: None
Service Area: North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area)
What Sets Them Apart:
- Focused specifically on DFW metroplex
- Established regional presence
- Online portal for tracking
Best For: North Texas homeowners who want a firm with deep DFW expertise.
Protax
Fee Structure: Contingency-based
Upfront Cost: None
Service Area: Texas statewide
What Sets Them Apart:
- One of the largest firms in Texas
- Streamlined, systematic approach
- Online account management
Best For: Homeowners who prefer a large, established company with statewide reach.
Home Tax Shield
Fee Structure: Flat annual fee + contingency
Upfront Cost: Yes (annual membership fee)
Service Area: Texas statewide
What Sets Them Apart:
- Subscription model with predictable annual cost
- Technology-driven approach
- Automatic annual protests
Best For: Homeowners who want automatic annual filing and prefer a membership model.
O'Connor & Associates
Fee Structure: Contingency-based
Upfront Cost: None
Service Area: Texas statewide
What Sets Them Apart:
- Large firm with commercial and residential services
- Extensive data resources
- Long track record in Texas
Best For: Homeowners who want a large firm with commercial property experience.
Ownwell
Fee Structure: Contingency-based (25% of first-year savings)
Upfront Cost: None
Service Area: Texas, Florida, California, Illinois, Washington, Georgia, New York
What Sets Them Apart:
- Technology-forward platform with AI-powered tools
- Multi-state coverage beyond Texas
- Additional services (bill negotiation, tax payment management)
- Large-scale operation with significant resources
Best For: Tech-savvy homeowners who want a digital-first experience and may own property in multiple states.
Fee Structure Comparison
| Company | Fee Type | Upfront Cost | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard Property Tax Protest | Contingency | None | % of first-year savings |
| NTPTS | Contingency | None | % of first-year savings |
| Protax | Contingency | None | % of first-year savings |
| Home Tax Shield | Flat + Contingency | Yes | Annual fee + % |
| O'Connor | Contingency | None | % of first-year savings |
| Ownwell | Contingency | None | 25% of first-year savings |
Fee percentages vary by company and property type. Contact each firm for current rates.
Should You Hire a Property Tax Protest Company?
When Professional Help Makes Sense
- High-value property — The potential savings justify the contingency fee
- Limited time — You can't attend hearings or gather evidence yourself
- Complex situations — New construction, major renovations, or unique properties
- Consistent overvaluation — Your property is assessed higher than comparable homes year after year
When DIY Might Work
- Simple cases — Obvious errors in square footage or property details
- Low-value properties — Potential savings may be minimal
- You have time — Can attend informal meetings and ARB hearings
- Clear comparable sales — Easy-to-find evidence of lower values nearby
The Math: Is Professional Help Worth It?
Example scenario:
- Home assessed at $450,000
- Successful protest reduces value to $400,000
- Tax rate: 2.5%
- Annual savings: $1,250
- Contingency fee (40%): $500
- Net savings: $750
The reduction often carries forward for multiple years, while the fee is typically based on first-year savings only.
How to Choose the Right Company
- Check reviews — Look for consistent positive feedback, not just testimonials on their site
- Understand the fee — Get the exact percentage and what it's based on
- Ask about communication — How will they keep you informed?
- Verify ARB representation — Will they attend hearings or just file paperwork?
- Confirm local experience — Do they regularly work with your county's appraisal district?
Questions to Ask Before Signing Up
- What is your success rate in my county?
- Do you attend ARB hearings in person?
- How do you calculate your fee?
- What happens if the appraisal district raises my value?
- Can I cancel if I'm not satisfied with your service?
- How will you communicate with me about my case?
The Bottom Line
Property tax protest companies can save Texas homeowners significant money, especially on higher-value properties. The key is choosing a firm with transparent fees, local expertise, and a commitment to representing you through the entire process—not just filing paperwork.
For homeowners who value personal service and local knowledge, Ballard Property Tax Protest offers contingency-based representation with no upfront costs. We handle everything from filing to ARB hearings, and you only pay if we reduce your taxes.
Ready to Lower Your Property Taxes?
Stop overpaying on your Texas property taxes. Ballard Property Tax Protest handles the entire process—filing, evidence, negotiations, and hearings—so you don't have to.
No reduction, no fee.
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this article.
No professional advice. This article does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Property tax laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and change over time. You should consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions regarding your property taxes.
Third-party information. Information about companies other than Ballard Property Tax Protest is based on publicly available sources and may not reflect current offerings, pricing, or policies. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the third-party companies mentioned, except where explicitly stated.
Conflict of interest disclosure. Ballard Property Tax Protest is the publisher of this article and is included in this comparison. While we have attempted to present information fairly, readers should be aware of this potential conflict of interest and conduct their own research.
No guarantees. Past performance and success rates do not guarantee future results. Property tax protest outcomes depend on many factors specific to each property and jurisdiction.
Changes to information. Fee structures, service areas, company policies, and other details are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information directly with each company before engaging their services.
Last updated: 2025