Who Sets Your Property Value in Harris County

HCAD is a separate agency from the tax office. It figures out what your property is worth. Then the county, city, and school district each set their own tax rate and apply it to that value.

If you think HCAD valued your property too high, you can protest. The protest deadline is generally May 15, or 30 days after your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever comes later. You can file online through HCAD's owner portal. Most protests start with an informal meeting with an HCAD appraiser. If that does not resolve it, you go before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), an independent panel of citizens. HCAD's office is at 13013 Northwest Freeway in Houston.