Should You Protest Your Texas Appraisal If You Have the Over-65 Freeze?
Last Updated: August 31, 2026
Often yes. Even with a school tax ceiling in place, your appraised value still affects any non-ceilinged taxing units on your bill and can factor into a future ceiling recalculation.
This page explains what the published rules say. It is not tax, legal or financial advice, and it is not a determination of your eligibility. Only your county appraisal district can tell you whether you qualify. Figures are for the tax year shown and were last verified on the date shown.
What the ceiling protects — and doesn't
The school tax ceiling caps your school district bill regardless of how much your appraised value rises. But county, city, hospital district, and other non-ceilinged units keep billing based on the current appraised value — so a higher appraisal can still raise real dollars on your total bill. And because the ceiling itself can be recalculated under certain conditions, keeping your appraised value accurate matters for the long run too, not just this year's bill.
The protest deadline
May 15, or 30 days after the appraisal district mails the notice, whichever is later — deadline to protest an appraised value. Tax year current.
As of 2026-08-31, per Texas Comptroller, Protests and Appeals (updated 31 Jul 2026) (Tax Code §41.44).
The ARB hearing
If your protest proceeds to a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), you're entitled to advance notice.
at least 15 days — minimum notice before an ARB hearing. Tax year current.
As of 2026-08-31, per Texas Comptroller, Protests and Appeals (Tax Code §41.46).
If you disagree with the ARB's decision
You have further appeal options, each with its own window.
district court: 60 days; binding arbitration: 60 days; SOAH (property over $1M): 30 days, $1,500 deposit within 90 days — appeal windows after an ARB order. Tax year current.
As of 2026-08-31, per Texas Comptroller, Protests and Appeals (Tax Code §§42.21, 41A.03, 41A.015).
DIY or hire someone?
There's no single right answer — it depends on how much your time is worth to you and how confident you feel gathering comparable sales data. See our neutral DIY vs. hiring a firm comparison for the tradeoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have the school tax ceiling, does my appraised value still matter?
Yes. It affects any taxing units that don't have a ceiling (county, city, hospital district, etc.) and can factor into future ceiling recalculations. It's not purely academic even with the freeze in place.
What's the deadline to protest?
May 15, or 30 days after the appraisal district mails your notice, whichever is later.
How much notice do I get before an ARB hearing?
At least 15 days.
What happens after the ARB rules on my protest?
You have appeal windows if you disagree: 60 days to district court, 60 days for binding arbitration, or for property over $1 million, 30 days to SOAH with a $1,500 deposit due within 90 days.
Is it worth protesting if the school tax portion is already capped?
It can be, since other taxing units and future recalculations aren't capped the same way. Whether it's worth your time depends on your specific bill — see our DIY vs. firm comparison for how to think about the effort involved.
Sources and Last-Verified Dates
| Figure | Tax Year | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline to protest an appraised valueTax Code §41.44 | current | Texas Comptroller, Protests and Appeals (updated 31 Jul 2026) | 2026-08-31 |
| Minimum notice before an ARB hearingTax Code §41.46 | current | Texas Comptroller, Protests and Appeals | 2026-08-31 |
| Appeal windows after an ARB orderTax Code §§42.21, 41A.03, 41A.015 | current | Texas Comptroller, Protests and Appeals | 2026-08-31 |