A Texas property tax protest is only as strong as the evidence behind it. Appraisal Review Board members and appraisal district appraisers hear hundreds of protests each season — organized, specific evidence beats passionate arguments every time. This checklist covers exactly what to gather before your protest, organized by evidence type, so you walk into your hearing prepared to win.
Category 1: Comparable Sales Evidence (Highest Priority)
Comparable sales are the foundation of nearly every successful Texas property tax protest. The appraisal district determined your value using sales data — your most powerful counter-argument is sales data showing comparable properties sold for less.
- ✓3-5 recent sales of similar properties in your neighborhood — same zip code or subdivision is strongest
- ✓Sales must be arm's-length transactions — avoid foreclosures, estate sales, or related-party sales
- ✓Recency: Sales within 12 months of January 1, 2026 carry the most weight
- ✓Size: Within 15% of your square footage — larger differences require explanation
- ✓Format: Address, sale date, sale price, square footage, price per square foot, any adjustments
- ✓Source: County CAD website, Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, or MLS data from a realtor
Category 2: Unequal Appraisal Evidence
For an unequal appraisal argument under Texas Tax Code §41.43, you need evidence that comparable properties are assessed at lower percentages of their market value than your property.
- ✓5-10 comparable properties from your CAD's online search — pull their current appraised values
- ✓Recent sale prices for those same properties (if available) to establish their assessment ratios
- ✓Calculate: appraised value ÷ sale price = assessment ratio for each comparable
- ✓Compare your ratio to the median comparable ratio — if yours is higher, you have an unequal appraisal case
- ✓CAD database printout showing neighbor assessments (downloadable from most CAD websites)
Category 3: Property Condition Documentation
Condition evidence explains why your property is worth less than the comparables — or why the appraisal district's own records understate the cost-to-cure needed to bring your property to market condition.
- ✓Recent photos of any condition issues: roof wear, foundation movement, water damage, dated systems
- ✓Contractor estimates for any major repairs: foundation, roof, HVAC, plumbing
- ✓Engineering or inspection report if foundation or structural issues exist
- ✓Insurance claims documentation for any storm or water damage
- ✓Documentation of deferred maintenance that a buyer would factor into their offer
- ✓Flood zone certification (FEMA) if applicable — flood zone significantly affects value
Category 4: Property Record Errors
Errors in your appraisal district's property records can produce over-assessments independent of market conditions. Check your CAD property card carefully before every protest.
- ✓Square footage: CAD records vs. your actual measured or permitted square footage
- ✓Bedroom and bathroom count: verify against your actual configuration
- ✓Pool: if CAD records show a pool you do not have, flag it immediately
- ✓Improvement type: garage, covered patio, or workshop listed that does not exist
- ✓Year built: incorrect year built affects depreciation calculations
- ✓Property class: wrong use classification can affect value category
How TaxAppeal Gathers Your Evidence For You
TaxAppeal USA pulls your county CAD property record, runs comparable sales analysis in your specific neighborhood, checks for data errors, and assembles all of this into a formal protest letter citing Texas Tax Code §41.41 (market value) and §41.43 (unequal appraisal). You do not need to gather any evidence yourself — just enter your address and TaxAppeal handles everything for $89 flat. We file via USPS certified mail before the May 15 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important evidence in a Texas property tax protest? ▾
Recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your appraised value. Three to five strong, recent, nearby sales is the foundation of every winning protest.
Do I need a licensed appraisal to protest my Texas property taxes? ▾
No. A formal appraisal carries significant weight but is rarely necessary or cost-effective for residential protests. Comparable sales gathered from public records are sufficient for most successful protests.
How recent do comparable sales need to be in Texas? ▾
Sales within 12 months before January 1, 2026 are strongest. Texas appraisal districts use a January 1 valuation date, so sales from the prior calendar year are the most relevant temporal evidence.
What is a CAD property record card and how do I get it? ▾
Your property record card is your appraisal district's record of your property's characteristics — square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, improvements, year built, and current appraised value. Download it free from your county CAD website by searching your address.
Should I file for market value, unequal appraisal, or both? ▾
Both. Check both boxes on your Notice of Protest form to preserve both arguments. Whichever produces the larger reduction will apply.
What if I cannot find comparable sales in my neighborhood? ▾
Limited sales is itself evidence. Argue that the scarcity of data makes mass appraisal unreliable for your property, and use the best available comparables — widening your search geographically with an explanation of why each comparable is relevant.