Travis County (Austin) Property Tax Protest Guide for 2026
Reviewed by RedTools Research Team, with Austin-area comp strategy review.
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Travis County is one of the fastest-moving residential markets in Texas. After the 2020-2022 boom and the subsequent partial correction, Austin-area assessments have been particularly contentious. Homeowners who were not reassessed at peak prices but whose neighbors were sold near the peak often have an unequal-appraisal argument that’s easy to substantiate. Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) appraises about 450,000 parcels.
TCAD Filing Deadline
Same as the Texas state default: May 15, or 30 days after TCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Notices typically arrive in mid-April. TCAD’s online portal accepts protest filings.
Austin Submarket Considerations
Travis County contains very different submarkets, and your comp set should reflect the specific neighborhood:
- Central / 78704 (Bouldin, Travis Heights, Zilker): Tight comps, high price-per-square-foot variance based on lot, finish quality, and walkability.
- East Austin (78702, 78721, 78723): Heavy redevelopment over the past decade. Comp pools mix gut-rehabs and original-condition homes.
- 78745 / 78748 (South Austin): Larger comp pools; suburban tract pricing dynamics.
- Northwest (Westlake, Rollingwood, Bee Cave): Higher-value pockets; lot value and view often dominate.
- Lakeway / Bee Cave / Spicewood: Lake views and elevation matter; HOAs and master-planned communities affect value.
- Round Rock / Pflugerville (Williamson CAD overlap): Confirm jurisdiction — many addresses near the county line are under WCAD instead.
Equal-and-Uniform in Travis County
Like Harris County, Travis County is well-suited to equal-and-uniform protests under Texas Property Tax Code §41.43(b)(3). TCAD’s mass-appraisal process produces wide variance in $/sqft across similar properties on the same block. Pull 5-10 nearby properties’ appraised values from TCAD’s public site, compute the median per-sqft, and compare to yours. This argument doesn’t require sale comps and is often the strongest path in Austin.
TCAD Process
- Online filing via TCAD’s portal.
- Informal review with a TCAD appraiser, typically virtual or by phone.
- ARB hearing at TCAD’s offices if informal didn’t resolve.
- Post-ARB: binding arbitration (residential homestead under $5M) or district court.
What Wins in Travis County
- Equal-and-uniform comps showing your neighbors are appraised at lower per-sqft rates.
- Recent sales in the same micro-market — sold in the last 6–12 months.
- Photos of condition issues, especially for original-condition homes in heavily redeveloped neighborhoods.
- Adjustments for lot value differences, which dominate in many central Austin submarkets.
Travis County References
- Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD)
- TCAD Online Protest
- Texas Comptroller — Property Tax Resources
Build Your Austin Case
FairValue identifies the strongest sale and equal-and-uniform comps for your Travis County property. Free comp analysis; $25 for the Full Service appeal letter.