Travis County Property Tax Guide 2026
Complete guide to Travis County (TCAD) property tax — rates, deadlines, payment options, and how to protest your appraisal in Austin and surrounding areas.
Key Dates
- Payment due
- January 31, 2026
- Notices mailed
- April 2026
- Protest deadline
- May 15, 2026
- ARB Hearings
- July-September 2026
Tax rates
Average Total (Travis): 1.8% - 2.3%
- School district
- ~1.0-1.3%
- County
- ~0.36%
- City
- ~0.4-0.5%
- Special Districts
- Varies
About Travis Property Tax
Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) manages approximately 400,000 appraisal accounts across Austin and portions of surrounding communities including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Manor. The Austin market experienced the most dramatic appreciation cycle in Texas from 2020–2022, with median home values nearly doubling in some zip codes, followed by a significant correction in 2023–2024. This means a substantial number of Travis County properties carry appraisals anchored to peak-market values that no longer reflect current closed sales. TCAD provides downloadable property data through its public information portal at traviscad.org and processes protests through both an online filing system and in-person hearings. The district is also governed by provisions that limit annual assessment increases for homesteaded properties to 10%, but non-homestead investment properties saw their appraised values spike without limit during the boom. Nearby Williamson County and Hays County experienced similar cycles and share overlapping school districts.
Average Home Value
$480,000
Typical Annual Tax
$10,100/year
Official Resources - Travis
Why Protest in Travis?
- The post-2022 Austin market correction left a large share of TCAD properties appraised at values that exceed current comparable closed sales — making market value protests particularly well-supported by data.
- Non-homestead properties (rentals, recent purchases, commercial-adjacent residential) were not protected by the 10% cap and may carry appraisals 20–40% above their actual current market value.
- Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, and Round Rock ISD all carry substantial school district rates; a meaningful value reduction compounds across school and city levies simultaneously.
- TCAD's mass appraisal model can produce inconsistent values across a neighborhood — an unequal appraisal argument supported by ratio evidence is frequently effective in Travis County.
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How to Protest Your Property Tax
File online through the TCAD protest portal at traviscad.org before May 15; you can upload evidence (sales comps, appraisal reports, photos) and request an informal conference without visiting the office.
Use closed MLS sales or the Travis County deed records to build a comparable sales grid — focus on sales from the past 6–12 months within 0.5 miles that reflect the post-correction market.
Download the TCAD property record card to verify the classification, square footage, and condition rating; TCAD uses a quality/condition adjustment in its cost approach that is frequently worth challenging.
If you purchased your home in 2021 or 2022 near the peak and comparable sales have since declined, the purchase price is no longer your best evidence — use recent closed sales instead.
For condominiums and townhomes, check that TCAD is using appropriate condo-specific comparables rather than single-family home sales to value your unit.
Payment Information
Mail Payment
Travis County Tax Office, P.O. Box 149328, Austin, TX 78714
Property tax exemptions
Homestead Exemption
For your primary residence. Provides $100,000 off school taxes and a 10% cap on annual value increases.
- $100,000 exemption from school district taxes
- Up to 20% exemption from county/city taxes
- 10% annual cap on appraised value increases
Over-65 Exemption
Additional benefits for seniors 65 and older, including a school tax freeze and optional tax deferral.
- Extra $10,000+ exemption from school taxes
- School tax ceiling frozen at age 65 amount
- Optional deferral of all taxes until sale
Disabled Veteran Exemption
For veterans with a VA disability rating. Exemption amount depends on disability percentage.
- 10-69% disability: $5,000-$10,000 exemption
- 70-100% disability: $12,000+ exemption
- 100% disabled: Complete tax exemption
Apply through your county appraisal district. You only need to apply once.
Frequently Asked Questions
File online at traviscad.org before May 15, or mail a Notice of Protest to TCAD at 850 E Anderson Ln, Austin TX 78752. You can also fax your notice. Online filing allows you to attach evidence directly.
Cities in Travis County
City-specific property tax guides for Travis County — rates vary by jurisdiction.
Compare with Nearby Counties
| County | Avg. Tax Rate | Major City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County | 1.9% - 2.4% | Round Rock | View Guide |
| Hays County | 2.0% - 2.5% | San Marcos | View Guide |
| Bastrop County | 2.0% - 2.6% | Bastrop | View Guide |
Check your savings potential
Enter your address to see your current tax bill and estimate how much you could save by protesting.
Free. No account required.