Guide to the 2026 Property Tax Timeline: Key Deadlines and Strategic Considerations

Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 property tax timeline in Texas:

• The 2026 property tax protest season is already underway, with key deadlines to look out for all year.
• Recent legislative updates and local tax rate changes may affect your exemptions and overall tax bill this year.
• Reviewing your appraisal notice promptly and filing your protest early are crucial steps to protect your property value.
• Hiring professional help, such as Gill, Denson & Company, can increase your chances of a successful protest and potentially higher savings.

The 2026 Property Tax Timeline

The 2026 property tax protest season is already underway. Understanding the critical deadlines and strategic steps is essential to protecting your property from overvaluation and excessive taxes. Here is the 2026 property tax timeline to follow for your next bill:

• January 1, 2026: County appraisals are based on your property’s condition and market value as of this date.
• April 2026 (approximate): The Notice of Appraised Value is mailed during this time and informs you of your property’s assessed value.
• April 15, 2026: Businesses are required to file a Business Personal Property Rendition to report tangible personal property used to generate income.
• May 15, 2026: This is the property tax protest deadline, or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is received, whichever is later.
• June-September 2026: Most protest hearings take place during this time, and the final property value determined will be used to generate the updated tax bill.
• October-November 2026: Property tax bills for the current year are typically sent out.
• January 31, 2027: This is the property tax payment deadline to avoid penalties and interest charges.

What’s New or Different in 2026?

Many counties adjust local tax rates annually to fund infrastructure and public services. It’s wise to check your local rates for any increases that could affect your bill. Economic and market conditions also continue to influence property valuations each year. This is why it’s more important than ever to review your appraisal notice carefully.

In addition, there were some important legislative and rule updates recently that affect 2026 property taxes (and subsequent tax years):

• Updated Texas Homestead Exemption Audit Rules: New audit procedures require Texas homestead eligibility to be audited once every five years. Learn more about these rules and what to do if you receive an audit letter in our updated audit rules blog and audit letter guide.
• Increased Homestead Exemption Amount: The homestead exemption now allows for $140,000 in taxable value reduction, providing significant tax relief for eligible homeowners.
• Expanded Veteran Surviving Spouse Exemption: Additional benefits are now available for surviving spouses of deceased veterans.
• Elderly and Disabled Exemption Increase: This exemption increased from $10,000 to $60,000, helping reduce the tax burden for seniors and disabled homeowners.

For a comprehensive overview of these and other exemption changes effective as of the 2026 tax year, see our blog on how the November 2025 Texas election impacts your property tax bill.

Strategic Considerations for the 2026 Property Tax Season

Being aware of the 2026 property tax timeline and relevant deadlines is not enough. It’s vital that Texas homeowners understand how to strategically approach their tax bill and ensure a fair valuation. Below are some actions you can take:

• Review Your Notice of Appraised Value Promptly: As soon as you receive your notice, examine it carefully to understand your property’s assessed value.
• File Early: Avoid last-minute rushes and give yourself time to gather strong evidence and build your case.
• (Almost) No Late Filings Allowed: The filing window for a normal protest is tight, with no grace period, unlike many other states. There are very few, rare circumstances in which you can file a protest late.
• Consider Professional Help: Expert guidance can improve your chances of a successful protest and effectively reduce your tax burden.
• Protest Every Year – It’s Worth It: Many homeowners save thousands by protesting, especially when working with experienced firms like Gill, Denson & Company, where you pay a contingency fee only if we help you save.

The 2026 property tax timeline has a lot of deadlines, but it doesn’t need to be stressful or overwhelming. Let the tax experts at Gill, Denson & Company help you with this year’s property tax protest. We’ll guide you through each step of the process and help increase your chances of reducing your tax burden.

Don’t wait—start preparing today by working with us to protect your property and your wallet.