Texas Property Tax Deadlines & Calendar
Important Texas Property Tax Dates
In many Texas property tax matters, protest deadlines are tied to May 15 or to the date the appraisal district mails the Notice of Appraised Value. Deadlines can vary based on the notice, property type, county procedures, and applicable law. If BTA is authorized to represent you for a covered property, we help track notices, file authorized protests, and manage deadline-sensitive protest steps within the scope of the engagement.
Have a deadline question? Call (713) 263-6100.
Common Deadline Questions
Short answers to common Texas property tax timing questions. Always review your appraisal district notice and official county or state guidance for the deadline that applies to your property.
The usual Texas property tax protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Some situations may have different timing, so property owners should review the deadline printed on their notice and confirm requirements with the appraisal district or an authorized representative.
For many Texas business personal property accounts, the rendition deadline is April 15. Certain regulated property types and extension requests may have different rules. Business owners should review the applicable Comptroller guidance and appraisal district instructions before filing.
Texas property tax bills are commonly due by January 31 of the year after the tax year. Penalties, interest, installment options, and payment procedures can vary by tax office and taxpayer eligibility, so property owners should review the bill and contact the county tax assessor-collector when needed.
Missing a protest deadline may limit or eliminate administrative protest options for that tax year, except where a later deadline or specific statutory procedure applies. Do not rely on general timing rules alone; review the notice and seek guidance quickly if a deadline may have passed.
Yes. Texas property tax deadlines apply to property owners regardless of whether they use BTA. If BTA is not authorized to represent you for a covered property, appraisal notices, hearing notices, and other official communications are typically sent directly to you.
Texas Property Tax Annual Calendar
The dates below summarize common points in the Texas property tax year. They are not a substitute for your appraisal district notice, county tax office instructions, or official state guidance. Some deadlines vary by property type, county, notice date, exemption type, or post-ARB procedure.
JANUARY 1 – Appraisal Date
JANUARY 1 (ANNUALLY)
What Happens:
January 1 is the appraisal date for many Texas property tax purposes. Property ownership, condition, use, and business personal property records may be reviewed as of this date, depending on the issue and property type.
Action Items:
– Business owners should keep asset, inventory, acquisition cost, disposal, and location records organized for rendition review.
– Real property owners should document relevant condition issues such as damage, vacancy, deferred maintenance, lease changes, or other property-specific facts.
– Commercial and industrial property owners should begin organizing income, expense, lease, market, and property condition documentation.
BTA’s Role:
BTA reviews property records, appraisal district data, and property-specific documentation to prepare for authorized valuation review and protest support.
APRIL 1–15 – Appraisal Notices Often Mailed
APRIL 1–15 (COMMON NOTICE PERIOD)
What Happens:
Many appraisal districts mail Notices of Appraised Value in the spring. The notice may show the current appraised value, prior year value, exemption information, property data, and the protest deadline for that account. Mailing dates vary by county and property.
Action Items:
– Review your notice when it arrives.
– Confirm the protest deadline printed on the notice.
– Compare the noticed value with property-specific evidence, market data, income records, condition issues, and equity information where applicable.
– Contact BTA early if you want support reviewing the noticed value or filing an authorized protest.
BTA’s Role:
When BTA is authorized to represent a covered property, BTA helps review appraisal notices, gather relevant evidence, and file authorized protests within applicable deadlines.—sign up now.
APRIL 15 – Business Personal Property Rendition Deadline
APRIL 15 (COMMON DEADLINE FOR MANY BPP ACCOUNTS)
What Happens:
For many Texas business personal property accounts, April 15 is the deadline to file a rendition with the county appraisal district. Certain regulated property types and extension requests may have different timing.
Who May Need to File:
Businesses or individuals with taxable business personal property on January 1 may need to report assets such as equipment, machinery, computers, furniture, fixtures, inventory where applicable, vehicles used for business, and other taxable personal property.
What to Prepare:
– Asset lists
– Acquisition costs and acquisition years
– Disposal records
– Inventory records where applicable
– Business location records
– Exemption documentation where applicable
Avoid This Language:
Do not describe rendition work as “minimizing reported values.” The correct approach is accurate, documented reporting supported by applicable depreciation, asset classification, exemption review, and appraisal district requirements.
BTA’s Role:
BTA supports business personal property owners with rendition preparation, documentation review, asset classification review, exemption coordination where applicable, and protest support when appraisal district values require further review.
Related: Learn more about BPP services
APRIL 15 – Exemption and Allocation Timing
VERIFY THE DEADLINE THAT APPLIES TO YOUR PROPERTY
What Happens:
Some exemption applications, allocation requests, and special property tax filings have spring deadlines. The exact deadline can vary by exemption type, property type, county, and statutory rule. Do not assume every exemption or special filing uses the same deadline.
Action Items:
– Review appraisal district instructions for the specific exemption or filing.
– Confirm whether the filing is annual, one-time, renewable, or subject to late-filing rules.
– Keep copies of submitted forms and confirmation records.
BTA’s Role:
BTA helps identify property tax issues that may require additional documentation or coordination with the appraisal district. Exemption eligibility and filing requirements are controlled by law and the appraisal district’s review process.
File Your Protest Now – Sign Up With BTA
MAY 15 – Common Property Tax Protest Deadline
MAY 15 OR 30 DAYS AFTER NOTICE MAILING, WHICHEVER IS LATER, IN MANY CASES
What Happens:
For many Texas property owners, the usual protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails the Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. The deadline printed on the notice is important and should be reviewed carefully.
Who Should Review Their Value:
– Property owners with a noticed value increase
– Commercial property owners with income, expense, occupancy, lease, or market evidence that may support review
– Industrial property owners with specialized property, cost, market, or condition evidence
– Business personal property owners reviewing rendered or noticed values
– Residential owners with market, equity, condition, or exemption concerns
How Protests Are Commonly Filed:
– Online through the appraisal district, if available
– By mail using the required form or written notice
– In person with the appraisal district, where allowed
– Through an authorized representative such as BTA when engagement and authorization are in place
BTA’s Role:
BTA helps authorized clients review appraisal district records, gather property-specific evidence, file protests within applicable deadlines, participate in informal review when appropriate, and support ARB hearing preparation.
Related: Learn about our proven process
MAY THROUGH AUGUST – Informal Reviews and ARB Hearings
TIMING VARIES BY COUNTY AND PROPERTY
What Happens:
After a protest is filed, appraisal districts may offer informal review, and the Appraisal Review Board may schedule a formal hearing. Hearing timing varies by county, property type, issue complexity, and appraisal district workload.
What You Need to Know:
– Appraisal districts and ARBs control hearing schedules.
– Notices should be reviewed carefully when received.
– If BTA is your authorized agent for a covered property, BTA helps manage hearing notices and scheduling communication within the scope of the engagement.
– Some cases may require owner documentation, additional evidence, or participation.
BTA’s Role:
BTA reviews appraisal district records, prepares property-specific evidence, participates in informal review when appropriate, and supports ARB hearing presentation for authorized clients. Outcomes depend on the evidence, appraisal district review, ARB decision-making, property facts, and applicable law.
Related Link:
BTA Property Tax Protest Process
AUGUST THROUGH SEPTEMBER – ARB Orders and Final Value Notices
POST-HEARING DOCUMENTATION
What Happens:
After an ARB hearing, the ARB may issue a written order or other documentation showing the determination for the protested matter. Timing varies by county and case.
What to Review:
– Final appraised value or other determination
– Issues addressed by the ARB
– Any deadlines for further options
– Whether the tax bill later reflects the final value and exemptions correctly
Further Options:
Depending on the property, value, issue, deadline, and eligibility rules, further options may include binding arbitration, litigation, or other statutory procedures. These options are not available in every situation and should be reviewed carefully.
BTA’s Role:
BTA reviews protest outcomes, summarizes final values, and discusses further options when available and appropriate. BTA does not control appraisal district decisions, ARB determinations, tax rates, tax bills, exemption approvals, or post-ARB outcomes.
Related Link:
Property Tax Litigation & Arbitration
OCTOBER THROUGH NOVEMBER – Tax Bills Mailed
TAXING UNITS APPLY TAX RATES TO FINAL VALUES
What Happens:
County tax assessor-collectors commonly send property tax bills in the fall. Tax bills are based on final taxable values, applicable exemptions, and tax rates adopted by taxing units. Appraisal districts appraise property values; taxing units set tax rates.
What to Review:
– Final appraised value
– Taxable value
– Exemptions
– Tax rates by taxing unit
– Total amount due
– Payment deadline
– Payment options and installment eligibility, if applicable
If You Protested:
If a protest changes the final value, your tax bill may reflect that final value once the taxing units apply adopted tax rates and applicable exemptions. Review the bill carefully and contact the appropriate tax office if the bill appears inconsistent with the final value or exemption status.
BTA’s Role:
BTA helps clients understand how final values from the protest process relate to the property tax bill, but BTA does not set tax rates or issue tax bills.
DECEMBER 31 – Federal Income Tax Timing Note
ASK YOUR TAX PROFESSIONAL
What Happens:
Some property owners consider whether paying property taxes before year-end may affect federal income tax timing. This is a federal income tax issue, not a property valuation issue.
Important:
BTA is a property tax consulting company. This page is not federal income tax advice. Ask your tax professional whether and when a property tax payment may affect your federal income tax return.
Action Items:
– Review your tax bill.
– Confirm payment options with the county tax assessor-collector.
– Ask your tax professional before making federal income tax timing decisions.
JANUARY 31 – Common Property Tax Payment Deadline
VERIFY YOUR TAX BILL AND COUNTY TAX OFFICE INSTRUCTIONS
What Happens:
Texas property tax bills are commonly due by January 31 of the year after the tax year. Payment procedures, penalties, interest, installment options, and eligibility rules are handled by the county tax assessor-collector.
Action Items:
– Review the tax bill carefully.
– Confirm taxable value, exemptions, and tax rates.
– Pay by the listed deadline or contact the tax office about available options.
– Keep payment confirmation records.
– If the bill does not appear to reflect the final value after a protest, contact the appropriate tax office quickly.
BTA’s Role:
BTA can help clients review whether final protest values appear to align with property tax bill information, but tax bills and payment administration are handled by the tax office.