Protest Your Austin Property Taxes in 2025 & Save

How to Protest Your Property Taxes in Austin

Staying on top of property taxes in Austin is vital for every homeowner, especially with the city’s evolving real estate market. While many accept their appraisal value without question, doing so could mean overpaying thousands of dollars in taxes. Here's the good news: You have the legal right to protest your property tax assessment and potentially reduce your tax burden.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about protesting property taxes in Austin, why it matters, and how you can make the process stress-free with expert help.

What You Need to Know About Property Taxes in 2025

Are you noticing changes in your property taxes this year? Property tax assessments in Austin can shift dramatically, often influenced by the city’s dynamic real estate market, tweaks to local tax rates, or appraisal district methodologies. While some homeowners may receive a notification of their home’s assessed market value, those whose property value decreased in 2025 might not receive an official letter in the mail.

Even if you don't get a notice, it’s crucial to take proactive steps. You can still review the assessment and, if necessary, challenge its accuracy. The deadline to file a protest for 2025 is May 15th, and appraisals typically become available in April on the Travis, Williamson and Hays Central Appraisal District websites.

Quick Tip:

Visit your local Appraisal District database to search for your property’s appraisal and review it once it’s up. If something seems off, get ready to protest before the deadline.

Why Protesting Your Property Taxes Matters

Did you know that appraisal districts use a mass appraisal method? While efficient for valuing thousands of homes, this system can lead to inaccuracies and overestimations. For homeowners, this could mean paying more in taxes than you should.

Here’s why protesting your property tax assessment is worth the effort:

· Prevent Overpaying Taxes: By ensuring your property value is accurate, you avoid paying more than your fair share.

· Minimize Future Hikes: Your property tax bill sets a benchmark for upcoming years. A lower assessed value this year limits the starting point for future increases.

· Fair Representation: Appraisal inaccuracies are common. Filing a protest ensures your property’s unique characteristics are properly considered.

Protesting can make a significant impact on your bills, ensuring you retain more savings for your priorities.

How to Protest Property Taxes in Austin

Taking on the property tax protest process sounds daunting, but breaking it down step by step makes it manageable. Start with these three steps to get your protest underway.

1. Review Your Property Appraisal

Visit your Appraisal District website in April to view your property’s appraised value. Compare it to sales of similar homes in your neighborhood and watch for signs the assessment could be inaccurate, such as:

· Inflated market-value estimates

· Overestimated square footage

· Failure to account for unique characteristics (e.g., needing repairs or updates)

2. File Your Protest

To officially challenge your tax assessment, you’ll need to file a protest form (Form 50-132) with the appraisal district by the May 15 deadline. You can typically do this online via the CAD platform or mail a copy to the Appraisal District office.

When describing your protest, be specific about the reasons you believe the appraisal is incorrect. Attach supporting documents like photos of repairs needed, inspection reports, and comparisons to similar properties.

3. Attend Your Hearing

After filing, you’ll be scheduled for an informal review with a CAD staff member. If you're unsatisfied with the outcome, you can escalate to a formal hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). During this hearing, present your evidence clearly and focus on discrepancies in the assessment.

Streamline the Process with Professional Help

Don’t want to tackle this alone? You’re not alone! Navigating the property tax protest process can feel overwhelming, but professional services can make it seamless. As a client of Pure Realty, we’ve partnered with Gill, Denson & Company, a dedicated property tax protest firm, to make this process as effortless as possible.

Here’s how they can help:

Here is a link to Gill, Denson & Company Tax Advisors

· Expert Representation: Professionals like Gill, Denson & Company know the ins and outs of appraisal districts and how to secure fair outcomes.

· Pay Only If You Save: With their contingency fee model, you only pay if they successfully lower your tax bill! Use the code GILBERTGARZA to access a reduced fee of just 25% of your tax savings.

· Convenience: Skip the paperwork and in-person arguments. They’ll handle it for you! Visit GillDenson.com to get started today and claim your exclusive discount!

The Benefits of Lowering Your Property Taxes

By successfully protesting your property taxes, the financial benefits ripple into future years. Here’s why taking action matters:

· Immediate Savings: Reduced values instantly lower this year’s bill.

· Compound Impact: An accurate assessment now reduces the compounding effect of increasing rates in the years ahead.

· Peace of Mind: Rest easy knowing you’re not overpaying and have done everything to protect your financial future.

At Pure Realty, we’re committed to helping Austin homeowners protect their finances and make informed decisions. We encourage all homeowners to review their assessments annually and take action when necessary.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

Remember, protesting your property taxes can result in significant savings for you and your family—but timing is everything. With the May 15 deadline approaching fast, now is the moment to review your assessment and decide whether to file. If you’re unsure where to start or want expert help, don’t hesitate to visit GillDenson.com and use code GILBERTGARZA for a discounted rate. Their team of professionals is here to guide Austin homeowners through the process and fight for the accurate property valuation you deserve.

Don’t leave money on the table. Take charge, protest your property taxes, and keep your finances in check.

Here is a quick YouTube meeting from April 1, 2025 with Gilbert, Charles and Richie:

I've sold EVERY listing that I've ever had.  Let me continue my streak by helping you too! 
-Gilbert Garza