Property Tax Resources · Travis County, Texas
Austin’s explosive growth has made Travis County one of the highest-burden counties in Texas — and one of the most important places to protest.
Sources: Population — U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates; Effective Tax Rate & Avg Annual Bill — Ownwell / Census ACS 2024; Protest Success Rate — Texas Comptroller PTAD data, approximate.
🔴 2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026 — or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. Miss this date and you waive your right to protest.
Travis County is home to Austin and more than 1.3 million residents, making it the fifth most populous county in Texas. The Austin real estate boom of the 2010s and early 2020s drove appraised values to levels that far outpaced income growth. While values have softened in some submarkets, the tax burden locked in by years of appreciation continues to squeeze homeowners, renters, and small property investors.
In 2023, over half of all protests filed in Travis County resulted in a reduction — more than 54%. Travis Central Appraisal District receives tens of thousands of protests each year. The informal settlement process alone resolves many cases before an ARB hearing. With an average annual tax bill exceeding $7,000, even a modest reduction is worth hundreds of dollars. File before May 15, 2026.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
Travis Central Appraisal District protest procedures, online filing portal, and deadline information for the current year.
Every taxing entity’s proposed rate, adopted rate, and public hearing schedule for Travis County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Travis County — your school district, city, county — must publish its proposed rate and hold a public hearing before adopting any rate exceeding the no-new-revenue rate. These meetings are open. Your voice is on the record.
| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2024 approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County | County | ~$0.34/$100 |
| Austin ISD | School District | ~$0.85/$100 |
| Round Rock ISD | School District | ~$0.92/$100 |
| Pflugerville ISD | School District | ~$1.06/$100 |
| Del Valle ISD | School District | ~$1.02/$100 |
| City of Austin | City | ~$0.43/$100 |
| Austin Community College | College District | ~$0.10/$100 |
| Multiple MUDs & Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at travis.countytaxrates.com. Special districts vary by location — check your tax statement for all entities billing your property.
Search your account at traviscad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Travis Central Appraisal District: 850 E. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78752. Deadline: May 15, 2026 or 30 days after your notice was mailed.
Recent sales of comparable homes, your purchase price, photos of property condition issues, and repair estimates all strengthen your case.
Before your ARB hearing, a CAD appraiser may offer to settle. Review any offer carefully before accepting — you can accept or proceed to the formal hearing.
The Appraisal Review Board is independent of the CAD. Present your evidence clearly and concisely. Most hearings run 15–30 minutes.
Disagree with the ARB ruling? You may appeal to district court, binding arbitration, or SOAH (properties over $1 million).
“No person’s particular services shall be demanded, nor property taken or applied to public use, unless by the consent of himself or his representative, without just compensation being made therefor.”
— Section 13, Declaration of Rights, Republic of Texas, 1836
Austin has become one of the most expensive places to own property in Texas — and local government budgets have grown to match. Behind every line item in those budgets is a rate set by elected officials: your school board, your city council, your county commissioners court. Those hearings are public. Your voice is on the record. Look up your value. File your protest. Attend the rate hearings. The people setting these numbers work for you — as long as you show up.
For informational and educational purposes only. Property-Taxes-Texas.com is a citizen advocacy and education resource. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, financial, tax, or appraisal advice. We are not attorneys, CPAs, or licensed appraisers. Consult a licensed Texas attorney, qualified financial advisor, or certified appraiser for guidance specific to your situation. Deadlines, rates, and statutes are subject to change — verify all details with your county appraisal district or the Texas Comptroller before acting.
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