Texas Property Tax Deadlines 2026 — Complete Calendar
Last updated April 26, 2026 · Sources: Texas Tax Code, Texas Comptroller
| Date | Action | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Property valuation date | §23.01 | All appraisals based on condition/value as of this date |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Tax bill payment deadline (prior year) | §31.02 | Pay prior year taxes to avoid delinquency penalty |
| Feb 1, 2026 | Tax delinquency begins (prior year) | §33.01 | 6% penalty + 1%/month interest starts accruing |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Homestead exemption application deadline | §11.43 | File Form 50-114; late filing allowed up to 2 years post-delinquency |
| ~Apr 1, 2026 | Notices of Appraised Value mailed | §25.19 | Exact date varies by county |
| May 15, 2026 (floor) | Protest filing deadline | §41.44 | Or 30 days after notice mailing, whichever is later |
| 14 days before hearing | CAD delivers HB201 evidence packet | §41.461 | Request in writing; failure to deliver = CAD evidence excluded (§41.67(d)) |
| May–July 2026 | ARB hearings conducted | §41.44–41.66 | ARBs must schedule within 15 days of filing; hearing within 45–90 days |
| July 20, 2026 | ARB approves appraisal records | §41.12 | After all protests heard |
| July 25, 2026 | Chief appraiser certifies roll | §26.01 | Certified values used to calculate tax bills |
| Aug–Oct 2026 | Taxing unit budgets and rate adoption | §26.04–26.05 | Cities, school districts, counties set rates |
| Oct 2026 | Tax bills mailed | §31.01 | Bills based on certified values |
| Nov 30, 2026 | 20% circuit-breaker sunsets | §23.231 | Unless 2027 Legislature extends it |
| 60 days after ARB order | Appeal deadline (district court or arbitration) | §42.21 / §41A.05 | From date of ARB Order of Determination |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Prior year taxes due | §31.02 | Avoid delinquency by paying by Jan 31 of following year |
Understanding the Protest Deadline
The May 15 date is a floor, not a fixed deadline. Under §41.44, your protest deadline is the later of: (1) May 15, or (2) 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed. If your CAD mails your notice on April 20, your deadline is May 20. If mailed on May 1, your deadline is May 31.
The mailing date is printed on your notice. Always use that date, not the date you received it in the mail.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
Late protests are generally not accepted. Exceptions under §41.411 include: (1) failure to receive the notice due to a CAD error, (2) the property has multiple appraisals, or (3) you are on a quarterly installment plan. If you missed the deadline due to a CAD error, file a late protest and a simultaneous motion explaining the circumstances.