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With less than two weeks remaining until the May 15th property tax protest deadline, thousands of homeowners are preparing to challenge their property valuations.
However, many will inadvertently sabotage their chances of success by it. This might seem obvious, but every year, thousands of Harris County property owners miss the May 15th protest deadline, instantly forfeiting their right to protest regardless of how overvalued their property might be.
Why people make this mistake:
- Putting the notice aside and forgetting about it
- Confusion about when the deadline actually is
- Procrastination until it's too late
- Technical issues when filing online on the deadline day
- Mailing protests without accounting for delivery time
How to avoid it:
- Mark May 15, 2025, on your calendar now
- Set multiple reminders 2 weeks, 1 week, and 3 days before the deadline
- File at least one week before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues
- If mailing your protest, use certified mail and send it at least 5 days early
- Consider using HCAD's online system for immediate confirmation
Cost of this mistake:
Missing the deadline means accepting your current valuation and paying potentially hundreds or thousands in additional taxes.
To kick off the process, sign up for an official HCAD account or sign in with HCAD at https://owners.hcad.org to start your "Notice of Protest".
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.
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