HCAD's iFile system lets homeowners file a protest online, upload evidence, and often settle through the iSettle process without attending a hearing. A prepared evidence packet is what makes an iSettle offer worth taking — or worth rejecting. The legal framework is the same statewide: you can argue market value (Tax Code §41.41) and equal-and-uniform appraisal (§41.43) in the same protest, and the deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your notice — whichever is later.
File with Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD)
Deadline: May 15 or 30 days after your notice, whichever is later
Market value and equal-and-uniform arguments can be combined
Most residential protests settle at the informal stage
What the evidence packet includes
The packet is built per property from public records and market data, reviewed by a multi-agent AI pipeline, and delivered as filing-ready documents for $49 flat.
Comparable sales analysis with adjustments and weighting
Equal-and-uniform grid built from HCAD's own records where available
Market indicators with sources and why each one matters
Owner opinion of value with the supporting math
Submission PDF, editable Word copy, hearing talking points, and a filing checklist
Cities we'll cover in Harris County
Harris Central Appraisal District appraises all residential property in the county, including Houston, Pasadena, Spring, Katy, Cypress, and the surrounding areas. County seat: Houston. If your home is anywhere in Harris County, the same protest process and deadline apply.
Why flat fee instead of a percentage
Contingency protest firms typically charge 25–50% of your first-year savings, every year you use them. A $49 flat-fee packet means a homeowner who saves $1,000 keeps $1,000 minus $49 — not $500 to $750. The trade: you file it yourself, with the checklist walking you through each step.
Questions
When is the Harris County protest deadline?+
Texas Tax Code §41.44 sets the deadline at May 15, or 30 days after HCAD delivers your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. If you miss it, you generally wait until next year — which is why we open the waitlist early.
Do you file the protest with HCAD for me?+
No. This is a self-file document product. You file the protest with Harris Central Appraisal District yourself — the packet includes the evidence documents and a step-by-step filing checklist.
Do you guarantee HCAD lowers my value?+
No. Harris Central Appraisal District and the Harris County appraisal review board decide final values. The product is the evidence packet, not a guaranteed tax result.
When will FightMyAppraisal support Harris County?+
We're expanding beyond Travis County for the 2027 notice season, prioritizing counties by waitlist demand. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when Harris County support opens.
Prepare for next season
Join the 2027 Travis County notification list.
We will email you when 2027 notices become actionable and the packet workflow reopens.