Travis County Property Tax Protest Deadlines Explained
Missing the Travis County property tax protest deadline means losing your right to challenge your property's appraised value for the entire year. With over 150,000 protests filed annually, TCAD runs one of the largest protest operations in Texas—and strict deadline enforcement is part of how they manage that volume.
This guide covers:
- The exact Travis County protest deadline for 2026
- How the 30-day rule works
- Late filing options (and their limitations)
- What happens if you miss the deadline
- Key dates throughout the protest timeline
The Travis County Protest Deadline: May 15
The Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) follows Texas Property Tax Code deadlines:
Primary Deadline: May 15, 2026
Alternative Deadline: 30 days after TCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value—whichever is later
| Scenario | Your Deadline |
|---|---|
| Notice mailed April 1 | May 15 (30 days = May 1, so May 15 applies) |
| Notice mailed April 20 | May 20 (30 days after notice) |
| Notice mailed May 1 | May 31 (30 days after notice) |
Important: The deadline is when TCAD must receive your protest, not when you mail it.
How the 30-Day Rule Works
If TCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value late in the season, you get additional time to file. Here's how to calculate your deadline:
- Find the mailing date on your Notice of Appraised Value
- Add 30 calendar days
- Compare to May 15
- Your deadline is whichever date is later
Example Calculations
| Notice Mailed | 30 Days Later | Your Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| March 15 | April 14 | May 15 |
| April 10 | May 10 | May 15 |
| April 25 | May 25 | May 25 |
| May 5 | June 4 | June 4 |
If you receive a corrected or supplemental notice, the 30-day clock restarts from that mailing date.
Why Filing Early Matters in Travis County
Travis County processes more protests than almost any other Texas county:
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Annual protests filed | 150,000+ |
| Filed by agents | 90% |
| Filed electronically | 72% |
| Target certification date | July 18 |
Filing early gives you:
- First access to informal review appointments
- More hearing date options before the summer rush
- Buffer time if technical issues occur with online filing
- Maximum negotiation leverage with TCAD staff
Pro tip: Don't wait until May 15. TCAD's online system experiences heavy traffic near the deadline, and technical difficulties don't extend your filing window.
How to File Before the Deadline
TCAD strongly encourages online filing through their protest portal.
Online Filing (Recommended)
- Go to traviscad.org/protests
- Enter your Property Owner ID and PIN (from your notice)
- Select your protest reason(s)
- Submit and save your confirmation
Mail or In-Person Filing
If you can't file online, submit a written Notice of Protest to:
TCAD Office: 850 E Anderson Lane Austin, TX 78752
Mail submissions must arrive by the deadline—postmarks don't count.
What If You Miss the May 15 Deadline?
Missing the standard deadline severely limits your options, but there are narrow circumstances where late protests may be accepted.
Late Protest for Good Cause
Under Texas Tax Code Section 41.44(b), you may file after the deadline if:
- You can demonstrate good cause for the late filing
- You file before the ARB approves the appraisal records (typically mid-July)
- The ARB agrees to hear your case
What qualifies as good cause:
- Serious illness or medical emergency
- Military deployment
- Death in the immediate family
- Never received a Notice of Appraised Value
What does NOT qualify:
- Forgot about the deadline
- Was too busy
- Didn't know you could protest
- Assumed someone else would handle it
Late Protest Success Rates
Late protests face significant hurdles:
- TCAD is not required to accept late filings
- The burden of proof for "good cause" is on you
- Most late protests are denied
- Even if accepted, you may have limited hearing options
Bottom line: There is no reliable safety net for missing the deadline. File early.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline Entirely
If you miss both the standard deadline and the late filing window:
- Your appraised value stands for the 2026 tax year
- You cannot appeal that year's valuation
- Tax bills will be based on TCAD's original assessment
- Your only option is to protest next year
The financial impact of missing one year's protest can be substantial, especially in Travis County where values have fluctuated significantly.
Complete Travis County Protest Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January 1 | Valuation date (property assessed as of this date) |
| March–April | Notices of Appraised Value mailed |
| May 15 | Standard protest deadline |
| May–August | Informal reviews and ARB hearings |
| ~July 18 | TCAD target for appraisal roll certification |
| Late July | Last opportunity for late protests (before roll certification) |
| October | Tax bills mailed by Travis County Tax Office |
| January 31 | Tax payment deadline (following year) |
Deadline Exceptions and Special Circumstances
Corrected or Supplemental Notices
If TCAD sends a corrected notice showing an increased value, your 30-day window restarts from the new mailing date.
Omitted Property
If your property was omitted from the appraisal roll entirely, different deadlines may apply. Contact TCAD directly.
Disaster-Related Extensions
In the event of a declared disaster affecting Travis County, the Texas Comptroller may extend deadlines. This is rare and requires official action.
Set Your Own Deadline Reminders
Don't rely on memory. Set multiple reminders:
| Reminder | When |
|---|---|
| Review notice | Within 3 days of receiving it |
| Decision to protest | April 15 |
| File protest | April 30 (two weeks early) |
| Backup reminder | May 10 (final warning) |
Get Professional Help Before the Deadline
If gathering evidence and managing deadlines isn't how you want to spend your spring, professional representation ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
Ballard Property Tax Protest tracks all Travis County deadlines, files protests on time, and handles the entire process from start to finish.
No reduction, no fee.
Start your Travis County property tax protest today →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Travis County property tax protest deadline for 2026?
May 15, 2026, or 30 days after TCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value—whichever is later.
Can I get an extension on the protest deadline?
No. Texas law does not provide for deadline extensions except in very limited circumstances (good cause shown before roll certification).
What if I never received my Notice of Appraised Value?
Not receiving a notice may qualify as good cause for a late protest. However, you should monitor your property's status on the TCAD website and file by May 15 regardless.
Does the postmark date count for mailed protests?
No. TCAD must receive your protest by the deadline. Postmark dates do not apply.
What time on May 15 is the deadline?
Online protests can be filed until 11:59 PM on the deadline date. In-person submissions must arrive during TCAD business hours.