Travis County Property Tax Exemptions and Protests

First, name the problem

Many homeowners say “my taxes are wrong,” but that can mean several things. The next step depends on what is wrong.

You may have more than one issue. Your value may be too high and your exemption may be missing. Handle both. A protest does not automatically fix an exemption application. An exemption application does not automatically challenge the market value.

What TCAD does, and what the Tax Office does

TCAD is the appraisal district for Travis County. It determines values, sends Notices of Appraised Value, handles protests, and administers exemption and deferral applications.

TCAD does not set tax rates and does not collect tax payments. Local taxing units set tax rates. The Travis County Tax Office calculates and collects bills. TCAD explains this split on its property tax system page.

This matters because a lower value is not the same as a final bill. Your bill depends on the final value, your exemptions, and the tax rates adopted later by the school district, city, county, and other taxing units that apply to your property.

Homestead exemption basics in Travis County

A homestead exemption removes part of your home’s value from taxation. It does not erase the whole bill. In Texas, the general residence homestead exemption is for a home that you own and use as your principal residence.

TCAD says a general residence homestead exemption is available to taxpayers who own and reside at the property as of January 1 of the year. TCAD also says some owners may be able to claim the exemption as early as the move-in date in limited cases, if the prior owner did not already have an exemption for that tax year and the new owner is not already claiming another homestead exemption for that year.

The Texas Comptroller says school districts must provide a $140,000 residence homestead exemption. Other taxing units may adopt local-option homestead exemptions. Because Travis County homes sit in different cities, school districts, and special districts, the exact effect can vary by address.

How to apply

TCAD accepts homestead exemption applications online, by mail, or at its office. TCAD’s forms page links to the online homestead application and explains that online filing can provide status updates.

For a general residence homestead exemption, TCAD says you must submit a completed application and a Texas driver’s license or Texas state-issued personal ID certificate showing the same address as the property.

The annual Travis County homestead exemption application deadline is April 30. TCAD says if April 30 falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the following Monday. The Texas Comptroller describes the general statewide exemption deadline as before May 1.

If you missed the usual deadline, still check with TCAD. Texas has late application rules for some exemptions, and the answer can depend on the exemption type and tax year.

Over-65 exemption and the school tax ceiling

In Travis County, the age 65 or older exemption is handled through TCAD. TCAD says the over-65 exemption is available in the year the property owner becomes 65.

The Texas Comptroller says school districts must provide an additional $60,000 residence homestead exemption for persons age 65 or older or disabled. TCAD also explains that the over-65 exemption creates a school tax ceiling, sometimes called a tax freeze.

A school tax ceiling usually means school taxes do not rise above the ceiling while the homeowner continues to qualify, unless the homeowner adds new improvements such as a garage or pool. It is not a freeze on every part of the tax bill. TCAD says school district tax ceilings are mandatory, but a county, city, or junior college tax ceiling depends on whether that local governing body adopted one.

To apply, TCAD says over-65 homeowners must submit an application and proof of age. TCAD lists the front side of a Texas driver’s license or Texas identification card as acceptable proof. A surviving spouse may need proof of age and proof of death of the deceased spouse.

Other exemptions to check

TCAD also lists exemptions for disabled persons, disabled veterans, 100 percent disabled veterans, certain surviving spouses, and some other situations.

For a disabled person exemption, TCAD says a person may qualify if they meet Social Security Administration disability standards. Documentation can include a current disability determination from the Social Security Administration.

For disabled veterans, the rules depend on the exemption. TCAD says a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more may qualify for a partial disabled veteran exemption. TCAD also says a disabled veteran receiving 100 percent disability compensation due to a service-connected disability and a rating of 100 percent disabled or individual unemployability from the Department of Veterans Affairs may receive an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of a qualifying residence homestead.

Do not assume veteran status alone is enough. Do not assume disability status alone is enough. The required proof and relief amount depend on the official exemption category.

When a protest is the right tool

A protest is usually the right tool when you disagree with TCAD’s value or another appraisal district action about your property. For homeowners, the most common issue is market value.

TCAD says Travis County property owners whose market value increased by at least $1,000 over the prior year receive a Notice of Appraised Value in the spring. The notice shows market value, net appraised value, and taxable value.

TCAD defines market value as what the property would sell for as of January 1. Net appraised value is the reduced value after limits such as a homestead limitation or circuit breaker limitation. Taxable value is the value after exemptions and is used to calculate taxes for each taxing unit.

You may also protest certain record problems or exemption issues, depending on the facts. If you are unsure which issue to select, read the official protest form instructions or contact TCAD before the deadline.

The Travis County protest deadline

For a market value protest, TCAD says the deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value was mailed, whichever is later. TCAD says if May 15 falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the following business day.

The Texas Comptroller gives the same general rule and notes that the deadline is tied to the date the appraisal district mails the notice, not the day the homeowner personally reads it.

Use the deadline printed on your notice. If your notice was mailed later than the standard batch, your deadline may be later than May 15. If you do not have the notice, check your TCAD online record and contact TCAD quickly.

How to file a protest with TCAD

TCAD lets property owners file a protest online, by mail, or in person. TCAD says online filing gives immediate confirmation and lets you upload comments and evidence, review TCAD’s evidence, and accept or decline a settlement offer through the online account.

To file online, use TCAD’s e-file protest page. TCAD says the online portal uses the property owner ID and PIN from the Notice of Appraised Value.

For mail filing, TCAD lists this address:

Travis Central Appraisal District
PO Box 149012
Austin, TX 78714

For in-person filing, TCAD lists its office at:

850 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752

If you file by mail, keep proof of mailing. If you file online, save the confirmation. If you file in person, ask how to confirm that the protest was received.

Evidence that can help a protest

A protest is not just a complaint that taxes are too high. The question is whether the appraisal record or value is wrong under the rules TCAD and the Appraisal Review Board must apply.

The Texas Comptroller tells homeowners to bring information that helps prove the case. Useful evidence may include photos, repair estimates, sales documents, comparable property information, affidavits, engineering reports, property surveys, deed records, and other facts tied to value or condition.

Start with your own property record

Before looking at comparable homes, check TCAD’s facts about your home. Look for:

• wrong square footage;
• wrong number of bedrooms, bathrooms, or living areas;
• condition problems not reflected in the value;
• damage, foundation issues, roof problems, or unfinished repairs;
• wrong ownership, mailing address, or exemption status;
• features listed that your property does not have.

Take clear photos. Get dated repair estimates when possible. If the issue is not visible from the street, explain it simply and tie it to value.

Use comparable sales carefully

Comparable sales can help if they are truly comparable. A nearby sale may not be useful if the home is much larger, newer, remodeled, in better condition, or in a different market area.

When comparing homes, write down the sale date, sale price if available, size, age, condition, lot, and major differences. A small, clean table can be stronger than a stack of random printouts.

Keep the argument factual

The Comptroller warns that the ARB cannot decide based on personal finances or emotional arguments. A homeowner may be under real pressure, but the protest should focus on facts: value, property records, condition, sales, unequal appraisal evidence, or the specific appraisal district action being challenged.

Informal meeting, evidence packet, and ARB hearing

After you file a protest, TCAD says you will have access to TCAD’s evidence packet through the online portal. To access it, you need an online account using the property owner ID and PIN from your Notice of Appraised Value.

TCAD says that after your protest is filed and your evidence is submitted and processed, you may participate in an informal meeting with a TCAD appraiser. TCAD says there is only one informal meeting per property.

If the protest is not resolved informally, it can go to the Travis Appraisal Review Board. TCAD says the ARB is an independent group of citizens authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and TCAD. At the hearing, both sides present evidence and answer questions from an ARB panel.

TCAD says Travis ARB hearings usually last 15 to 20 minutes and are typically held from June through August. Hearings may be by phone or videoconference, by written affidavit, or in person if requested. TCAD says property owners receive hearing information at least 15 days before the scheduled hearing.

If your exemption is denied or missing

If TCAD denies an exemption application, TCAD says action on an application will occur within 90 days from the date received and that applicants who do not qualify will be notified and offered an opportunity to protest the decision.

If you believe an exemption is missing by mistake, gather proof of ownership, occupancy, age, disability status, veteran documentation, surviving spouse status, or any other required fact. Then contact TCAD or use the official form process. Keep copies of everything you submit.

If the missing exemption affects a bill that has already arrived, you may need both offices: TCAD for the exemption record and the Travis County Tax Office for the bill, balance, payment, or payment plan.

If you missed the protest deadline

Missing the protest deadline is serious. The usual deadline is not flexible just because the bill is high. But Texas has limited late protest and correction paths.

The Texas Comptroller says the ARB can grant a late protest hearing if the property owner can show good cause. The Comptroller also lists specific situations where a protest or correction may be available after the usual deadline, such as failure to receive a required notice, certain large appraisal errors, clerical errors, multiple appraisals, ownership errors, or a joint motion to correct.

These rules are technical. If you are late, contact TCAD quickly. If a large tax bill, delinquency, lien, or foreclosure risk is involved, consider speaking with a qualified Texas property tax professional, attorney, or legal-aid office. This article is not legal advice.

Deferrals are different from exemptions and protests

A deferral does not lower the value and does not cancel the tax. It delays payment under specific rules.

TCAD explains that homeowners who qualify for the age 65 or older exemption or disability exemption may defer or postpone paying property taxes on the home for as long as they own and live in it. TCAD says this only postpones taxes, does not cancel them, and that taxes accrue 5 percent interest annually until the deferral is removed. TCAD says the taxes and accrued interest become payable when the property is sold or ownership transfers to the estate or heirs.

Because a deferral can affect a mortgage, sale, estate, or heirs, do not treat it as simple relief. Read TCAD’s property tax deferrals page and confirm the consequences before filing.

Local resources for Travis County homeowners

Use official sources first:

• Travis Central Appraisal District for values, notices, exemptions, protests, forms, deferrals, and property records.
• TCAD homestead exemptions for homestead, over-65, disability, veteran, and surviving spouse exemption information.
• TCAD protest process for filing methods, evidence packet access, informal meetings, and ARB steps.
• TCAD forms for online applications and printable forms.
• Travis County Tax Office property taxes for bills, payments, balances, receipts, current taxes, delinquent taxes, and payment plans.
• Texas Comptroller exemptions for statewide exemption rules and official form links.
• Texas Comptroller protests and appeals for statewide protest rights, late protest information, and ARB hearing basics.

A simple path if you are overwhelmed

Start with the notice or property record and work in this order:

1. Check the owner name, property address, mailing address, exemptions, market value, taxable value, and basic property facts.
2. Write down exactly what you think is wrong.
3. If the value is wrong, file a protest before the deadline.
4. If an exemption is missing, use TCAD’s exemption process and gather the required proof.
5. If you filed a protest, upload your evidence before the informal meeting or hearing.
6. Review TCAD’s evidence packet when it becomes available.
7. If the issue is payment, balance, receipt, or a payment plan, use the Travis County Tax Office account search or contact the Tax Office.

Keep your notes short and factual. “The appraised value is too high because three similar homes sold for less” is stronger than “my taxes are unfair.” “TCAD lists 2,100 square feet, but prior records show 1,850” is stronger than “the record is wrong” by itself.