One of the most common questions Texas homeowners ask before filing a property tax protest is: how much does this cost? The answer depends entirely on which approach you take. There are three options in Texas: filing yourself for free, using a contingency-fee service that takes a percentage of your savings, or using a flat-fee service like TaxAppeal USA for $89. Here is exactly what each option costs, what you get for that cost, and how to choose.
Option 1: Filing Your Own Protest (Free)
Filing a Texas property tax protest yourself costs nothing. You file Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) with your county appraisal district before May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed. The filing is free. The hearing is free. If you win, the reduction is entirely yours. The cost is your time — researching comparable sales, completing the paperwork, attending the informal and potentially formal ARB hearing.
- ✓Cost: $0 in fees
- ✓Time: 3-8 hours typically, more for complex properties
- ✓Success rate: Lower than professional services — inexperienced comparable selection and weak evidence packaging reduce outcomes
- ✓ARB hearing: You represent yourself — no professional preparation
- ✓Best for: Homeowners with time, real estate knowledge, and a clear-cut case
Option 2: Contingency-Fee Service (25-50% of Savings)
Major contingency services include Ownwell (25%), Texas Protax (~33%), Five Stone (~40%), O'Connor (30-40%), and HomeTaxShield. These services charge nothing upfront and take a percentage of your first-year savings only if they win. The effective cost depends entirely on how much you save — on a $1,800 reduction, Ownwell takes $450, O'Connor might take $540-720.
- ✓Ownwell: 25% of first-year savings, auto-renews annually
- ✓Texas Protax/Five Stone: Approximately 33-40% of savings
- ✓O'Connor/CutMyTaxes: 30-40% of savings
- ✓HomeTaxShield: Contingency model, rates vary
- ✓Cost example at $1,800 savings: $450 (Ownwell) to $900 (high-end contingency) taken from your savings
- ✓Best for: Homeowners who want no upfront risk and expected savings are modest or uncertain
Option 3: Flat-Fee Service (TaxAppeal USA — $89)
TaxAppeal USA charges a flat $89 per protest filing, regardless of outcome or the amount saved. You pay upfront and keep 100% of whatever you save. No auto-enrollment. No annual recurring charge. We file via USPS certified mail before May 15 with tracking. At any expected annual savings above $356, the flat fee costs less than Ownwell's 25% contingency.
- ✓Cost: $89 flat, paid upfront
- ✓You keep: 100% of all savings
- ✓Break-even vs. 25% contingency: $356 annual savings (above this, flat fee wins)
- ✓Break-even vs. 40% contingency: $222 annual savings
- ✓No auto-renewal, no percentage, no ongoing commitment
- ✓Best for: Homeowners expecting $400+ annual savings who want to keep everything they save
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choose DIY if you have real estate knowledge, time, and a clear-cut case. The savings from avoiding any fee are maximum but the investment of time is significant. Choose contingency if you have a complex property, want in-person ARB representation, or are uncertain whether you will win. The no-upfront-cost structure eliminates financial risk. Choose TaxAppeal USA if your expected savings are above $400 per year and you want to keep 100% of what you save. The $89 flat fee beats the contingency model on savings above $356 and takes about 4 minutes to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is filing a Texas property tax protest free? ▾
Yes — if you file yourself. The Notice of Protest form (50-132) is free to file with your county appraisal district. Professional services charge either a percentage of savings (contingency) or a flat fee.
What is the cheapest way to protest Texas property taxes? ▾
Filing yourself is free. Among professional services, TaxAppeal USA at $89 flat is lower than any contingency fee on savings above $356 per year. At $1,800 annual savings, TaxAppeal saves you $361 compared to Ownwell.
What does a contingency property tax protest service charge? ▾
Contingency services typically charge 25-50% of your first-year tax savings. Ownwell charges 25%, most Texas firms charge 33-40%, and some charge up to 50%.
Is there a filing fee for Texas property tax protests? ▾
No. Unlike Florida, Texas does not charge a county filing fee for property tax protests. The protest process is free to file.
How much does TaxAppeal USA charge? ▾
$89 flat per protest filing, regardless of outcome or savings amount. No contingency. No percentage. You keep 100% of what you save.
At what savings amount does TaxAppeal beat a 25% contingency service? ▾
Any annual savings above $356. If you save $356, 25% = $89, which equals TaxAppeal's flat fee. Above $356 — which describes the overwhelming majority of successful Texas protests — TaxAppeal's flat fee is cheaper.