Bexar County, TX
Property Tax Protest Guide · Texas
Protest Deadline
Not later than May 15, or the 30th day after the appraisal district's notice of
appraised value was delivered to you, whichever is later. Texas Tax Code Section
41.44(a)(1). Limited exceptions apply for good cause, offshore workers, and active
military service members.
Deadlines
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What is the protest deadline under Texas law?
Texas state law |
May 15 or 30 days after notice delivery, whichever is later.
“not later than May 15 or the 30th day after the date that notice to the property owner was delivered to the property owner as provided by Section 25.19 (Notice of Appraised Value), whichever is later;”
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| What is the protest deadline in Bexar County? |
May 15, 2026.
“Property owners in Bexar County have until May 15 to protest their 2026 appraised value.”
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| When does Bexar Central Appraisal District mail appraisal notices? |
Notices of Appraised Value are mailed usually in mid-April.
“The protest section of our online portal opens when Notices of Appraised Value are mailed, usually in mid-April, and remains available until the filing deadline has passed.”
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How to File
| Where do I file a protest online in Bexar County? |
Official name: Online Services Portal; portal URL: https://www.bcadonline.org/.
“Click on icon above to access services on our Online Portal”
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| Can I file online, and what do I need? |
Online portal is available to all owners and authorized agents; registration requires Owner/Agent ID and PIN from the appraisal notice.
“To create an online services account, you will be required to register. To do so, you will need your OWNER/AGENT ID and PIN located at the top of your appraisal notice and accompanying letter.”
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| How do I file by mail or in person in Bexar County? |
Use Form 50-132; submit via Help Center, mail, fax, or in person to Bexar Central Appraisal Review Board, 411 N Frio St, PO Box 830248, San Antonio, TX 78283-0248.
“If you prefer not to use the Online Services Portal, you may submit your completed protest through our Help Center or by mail, fax, or in person at the address listed below.”
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Hearings and Evidence
| Can I talk to an appraiser before the hearing? |
Yes. Informal Telephone Conference with an appraiser is offered by phone or Zoom; mailed instructions explain scheduling.
“You will receive a letter by mail notifying you that informal conferences are available and providing instructions on how to schedule your meeting.”
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| Can my protest be settled without a hearing? |
Bexar CAD asks owners and agents to use the Online Services Portal to file and resolve protests. The district does not state on its public pages whether a protest can be settled entirely through the portal without a formal ARB hearing.
“We ask that property owners and agents use our Online Services Portal as much as possible to file and resolve protests, view notices, and file exemptions.”
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| How can I attend my ARB hearing? |
In person, telephone conference, videoconference, or written affidavit.
“You or your authorized representative may appear in person, by telephone conference or videoconference call or by submission of a written affidavit to present your evidence, facts and argument.”
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| What happens if I am late to my hearing? |
Arrive and sign in at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. If you do not check in or appear within 15 minutes of the scheduled hearing, the panel will hear the protest on your affidavit or unsworn declaration instead. If none was submitted, the hearing is dismissed for failure to appear.
“If the property owner fails to call to check in, or appear in person within 15 minutes of their scheduled formal hearing, the panel will conduct the hearing(s) via appearance by affidavit or unsworn declaration. If an affidavit has not been submitted, the formal hearing will be dismissed for failure to appear.”
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| When and how do I submit my evidence? |
For a telephone or Zoom ARB hearing, the district says your notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration should be submitted with your evidence at least 48 hours before the hearing begins. Bexar CAD publishes no single evidence deadline covering in-person hearings.
“Your notarized affidavit or your unsworn declaration should be submitted with your evidence at least 48 hours before your ARB hearing begins.”
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Can I see the district’s evidence before the hearing?
Texas state law |
With an active protest on file, check “Evidence Requested” on the protest form; otherwise submit a written request by mail, fax, or Help Center.
“When filing your protest, check the box labeled “Evidence Requested” on the protest form. This automatically notifies the appraisal district that you are requesting evidence for your formal hearing.”
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| Where are the ARB hearing procedures published? |
Bexar Central Appraisal Review Board Protest Hearing Procedures, published at bcad.org.
“BEXAR APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD PROTEST HEARING PROCEDURES”
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| Can I present evidence from a laptop or phone? |
Yes, but you must tell the ARB at check-in that you plan to present electronic evidence, and you must supply your own internet connection if your presentation needs one.
“Protester must notify the ARB at check-in if they plan to present electronic evidence.”
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| Can I reschedule my hearing? |
A property owner who is not represented by an agent is entitled to one postponement without showing cause, if requested before the hearing date. Beyond that, the ARB must postpone whenever good cause is shown, with no limit on the number of postponements.
“A property owner who is not represented by an agent under Tax Code Section 1.111 is entitled to one postponement of a hearing without showing cause, if the request is made before the date of the hearing.”
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If You Disagree with the ARB
| What if I find an error after the deadline? |
The county publishes §25.25(c) Form 50-771 corrections for specified factual errors; §25.25(d) county-specific guidance was not found.
“Section 25.25(c) is intended to correct clear, factual errors in the appraisal roll, such as clerical mistakes, duplicate accounts, ownership errors, or nonexistent property.”
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What if my property was substantially over-appraised?
Texas state law |
A property owner may file a motion to correct an over-appraisal at any time before the taxes become delinquent. The error must exceed the correct value by more than one-fourth for a residence homestead, or one-third for other property.
“However, the error may not be corrected unless it resulted in an appraised value that exceeds by more than: (1) one-fourth the correct appraised value, in the case of property that qualifies as the owner's residence homestead under Section 11.13; or (2) one-third the correct appraised value, in the case of other property”
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What are my options besides district court?
Texas state law |
Regular binding arbitration: residence homestead regardless of value, or other property appraised at $5 million or less.
“RBA is available only if your property is: a residence homestead, regardless of value; or a property with an appraised value of $5 million or less.”
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| How do I appeal an ARB decision to court? |
A district-court appeal begins by filing a petition with the district court within 60 days of receiving the ARB order.
“If you choose to go to district court, you must start the process by filing a petition with the district court within 60 days of the date you receive the ARB’s order.”
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Homestead Exemption
| When is the homestead exemption deadline? |
Before May 1 of the year you are claiming. Bexar CAD publishes this as its general exemption-application deadline rather than a homestead-specific one. Missing it does not end your options — a late homestead application is still accepted under state law, and you may apply for a later year.
“The general deadline for filing an exemption application is before May 1.”
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Can I still file a homestead exemption if I missed the deadline?
Texas state law |
Late residence-homestead application: no later than two years after the delinquency date for taxes on the homestead.
“the chief appraiser shall accept and approve or deny an application for a residence homestead exemption after the deadline for filing it has passed if it is filed not later than two years after the delinquency date”
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| How do I file for a homestead exemption? |
Apply online at bcad.org through Online Services, or submit the form and supporting documents through Help Center, mail, fax, or in person; no fee.
“To apply online, visit www.bcad.org, click Online Services, and create a login. Upload a copy of your Texas Driver’s License or TX ID card showing the same address as the property.”
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Contacts and Hours
| How do I contact the Bexar County Appraisal Review Board? |
Bexar Central Appraisal Review Board, 411 N Frio St, PO Box 830248, San Antonio, TX 78283-0248. The number published in the district's ARB contact block is 210-242-2432, which is the district's customer service line; the district publishes no separate ARB-only phone number. The ARB Chair's email is arbchair.admin@bcad.org.
“Bexar Central Appraisal Review Board 411 N Frio St PO Box 830248 San Antonio, TX 78283-0248 Phone: 210-242-2432”
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| How do I contact Bexar Central Appraisal District? |
Phone 210-242-2432. Physical address 411 N. Frio St., San Antonio, TX 78207. Mailing address PO Box 830248, San Antonio, TX 78283-0248. bcad.org
“Physical location: is 411 N. Frio St. San Antonio, TX 78207 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 830248 San Antonio, TX 78283”
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| What are the appraisal district’s office hours? |
Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm.
“Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.”
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