Dallas 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. For 2026, Dallas CAD published a protest deadline of May
15, 2026 for residential and commercial real property.
Deadlines
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What is the protest deadline under Texas law?
Texas state law |
Not later than May 15 or the 30th day after notice delivery, whichever is later (Tax Code §41.44(a)(1))
“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, whichever is later”
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| What is the protest deadline in Dallas County? |
Real property (residential and commercial): protest deadline 05/15/2026; BPP: 06/11/2026; Miscellaneous: 07/01/2026
“Mail 1: Real property (Residential and Commercial) notices mailed 04/14/26, Protest deadline 05/15/2026. Mail 2: BPP notices mailed 05/12/26, Protest deadline 06/11/2026. Mail 3: Miscellaneous Notices mailed 06/01/26, Protest deadline 07/01/26.”
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| When does Dallas Central Appraisal District mail appraisal notices? |
Real property notices mailed 04/14/2026; BPP notices mailed 05/12/2026; Miscellaneous notices mailed 06/01/2026
“Mail 1: Real property (Residential and Commercial) notices mailed 04/14/26 … Mail 2: BPP notices mailed 05/12/26 … Mail 3: Miscellaneous Notices mailed 06/01/26”
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How to File
| Where do I file a protest online in Dallas County? |
uFile Online Protest and Settlement System; login URL via account search at https://www.dallascad.org (select 'uFile Online Protest' link at account level)
“uFile is the only way for property owners to file a protest electronically. An email or facsimile protest will not be accepted.”
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| Can I file online, and what do I need? |
Available to all accounts except: (1) represented by authorized tax consultant; (2) existing protest already filed; (3) protest reason other than value
“The ability to protest using uFile is available to all accounts but in order to qualify for an online settlement it must not…… 1. Be represented by an authorized tax consultant. 2. Have an existing protest already filed. 3. Contain a protest reason other than value.”
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| How do I file by mail or in person in Dallas County? |
Mail to: 2949 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247 (or address on Notice of Appraised Value); ARB P.O. Box 560348 Dallas TX 75356-0348 for mailed protests; in-person delivery to same physical address; use Comptroller Form 50-132 or any written notice
“If you mail your protest, please mail it to the address listed on your Notice of Appraised Value or to 2949 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247. It must also bear a post office cancellation mark by midnight May 15, 2026.”
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| Can I protest by email or fax? |
DCAD's uFile system is the only method for electronic protest filing; email and fax protests are not accepted by the ARB.
“It should also be noted that uFile is the only way for property owners to file a protest electronically. An email or facsimile protest will not be accepted.”
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| Is there a drop box for after-hours filing? |
A drop box is available 24/7 at DCAD's office at 2949 N. Stemmons Fwy for evidence and protest submissions.
“A drop box is available 24/7 at DCAD's office.”
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Hearings and Evidence
| Can I talk to an appraiser before the hearing? |
Yes, informal review is offered. Requested by filing a protest and submitting evidence; appraiser contacts owner by phone or email prior to ARB hearing. Also available by calling the applicable division phone number.
“If your account is still under protest, you can contact the Appraisal District at any time prior to your scheduled hearing date to conduct an Informal Review of your property with an appraiser.”
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| Can my protest be settled without a hearing? |
Yes, a protest can be settled entirely online without a hearing if the property qualifies for the uFile Online Settlement Offer Program
“Most residential properties may qualify for the uFile Online Settlement Offer Program. This program is only available when using the uFile Online Protest Program.”
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| How can I attend my ARB hearing? |
Four formats: (1) telephone hearing; (2) in-person; (3) authorized agent appearing in person or by telephone; (4) written affidavit/evidence submitted by mail or email without appearing
“You have four choices: 1) you can [have] a telephone hearing; 2) you appear in person; 3) you can appoint someone else to appear for you; or 4) you can submit evidence stating your facts and presentation by mail or email.”
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| When and how do I submit my evidence? |
Evidence must be received by ARB before the scheduled hearing date. Recommended submission: at least 5 days before hearing for telephone hearings. Methods: email to arbdocs@dcad.org; hand delivery (drop box available 24/7); mail (return receipt recommended); or CD/USB flash drive at hearing. File types: .JPG, .PDF, .XLS, .XLSX, .DOC, .DOCX. Max 8 MB per file, 15 MB total, 20 files max.
“Your evidence and/or supporting documents must be received by the ARB before the scheduled hearing date. Delivering them to our office in via an e-mail is preferred but you can always hand deliver them to our office if needed as there's a drop box available 24/7 at our office.”
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Can I see the district's evidence before the hearing?
Texas state law |
At least 14 days before a hearing, the chief appraiser must inform the property owner of the right to inspect and obtain copies of all data/schedules/formulas the chief appraiser plans to introduce. Delivery by mail, electronically, or via website URL.
“At least 14 days before a hearing on a protest, the chief appraiser shall … inform the property owner that the owner or the agent of the owner is entitled on request to a copy of the data, schedules, formulas, and all other information the chief appraiser will introduce at the hearing”
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| Where are the ARB hearing procedures published? |
Appraisal Review Board of Dallas County Hearing Procedures, published at dallascad.org.
“The Dallas County ARB approves the ARB hearing procedures annually. 2026 Dallas County ARB Hearing Procedures (click here)”
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| How many protests is Dallas handling this year? |
The Dallas County ARB has received over 250,000 protests for 2026; ARB hearings will likely continue through September 2026.
“The Dallas County ARB has received over 250,000 protests to date for 2026. Due to the volume of protests not all accounts have been scheduled for an ARB Hearing yet. ARB Hearings will likely continue through September 2026.”
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If You Disagree with the ARB
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What if I find an error after the deadline?
Texas state law |
The ARB may correct the appraisal roll for clerical errors, multiple appraisals of the same property, appraisal of property that does not exist, or an ownership error. A motion to correct an over-appraisal may be filed at any time before the taxes become delinquent.
“The appraisal review board, on motion of the chief appraiser or of a property owner, may direct by written order changes in the appraisal roll for any of the five preceding years to correct: (1) clerical errors that affect a property owner's liability for a tax imposed in that tax year”
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What are my options besides district court?
Texas state law |
Eligibility: real or personal property with ARB-determined value ≤ $5 million, OR any residence homestead (no value cap). Deposit amounts: homestead ≤$500K = $450; homestead >$500K = $500; non-homestead ≤$1M = $500; non-homestead $1M–$2M = $800; non-homestead $2M–$3M = $1,050; non-homestead $3M–$5M = $1,550.
“Residence homestead $500,000 or less $450 … Residence homestead More than $500,000 $500 … Not residence homestead $1 million or less $500 … More than $1 million but not more than $2 million $800”
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| How do I appeal an ARB decision to court? |
Must file petition in District Court in Dallas County within 60 days of receiving the ARB written order. Must make at least a partial payment of taxes (undisputed amount) before delinquency date, or file oath of inability to pay.
“you have the right to appeal its decision to the District Court in Dallas County. You must file a petition with the District Court within 60 days of receiving the written order from the ARB.”
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Homestead Exemption
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When is the homestead exemption deadline?
Texas state law |
File between January 1 and April 30 of the year claimed. The chief appraiser may extend the deadline once, for good cause, by up to 60 days.
“the completed application and required documentation are due before May 1 of the tax year for which a person is applying”
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Can I still file a homestead exemption if I missed the deadline?
Texas state law |
The chief appraiser must accept a late application filed within two years after the delinquency date for taxes on the homestead. There is no requirement to apply in your first year of ownership. If the tax was already paid, the collector refunds the tax on the exempted amount.
“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 for the taxes on the homestead”
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| How do I file for a homestead exemption? |
File online through DCAD's Online Homestead Exemption Application system at www.dallascad.org, or print and mail the application. Filing is free; no company or fee is required. Applications are not accepted by email or fax.
“Filing your Homestead Exemption application is free of charge with our agency. There is no need to hire a company. Please file your Homestead Exemption Application directly with our agency using DCAD's On-line Homestead Exemption Application filing system.”
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Contacts and Hours
| How do I contact the Dallas County Appraisal Review Board? |
ARB mailing address: Dallas County ARB, P.O. Box 560348, Dallas TX 75356-0348 (also physical: 2949 N. Stemmons Fwy., Dallas, TX 75247). ARB docs email: arbdocs@dcad.org. ARB phone lines: Residential 214-905-9402; Commercial 214-905-9406; BPP 214-905-0908; Customer Service 214-631-0910. No dedicated ARB-only phone number published.
“please e-mail your documentation to arbdocs@dcad.org … mail it to the Dallas County ARB P.O. Box 560348 Dallas TX 75356-0348”
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| How do I contact Dallas Central Appraisal District? |
Phone: 214-631-0910 (Customer Service, year-round). Physical/mailing address: 2949 N. Stemmons Freeway (I-35E), Dallas, Texas 75247. Website: www.dallascad.org
“Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) is responsible for appraising property for the purpose of ad valorem property tax assessment on behalf of the 61 local governing bodies in Dallas County.”
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| What are the appraisal district's office hours? |
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday phone coverage is offered during the protest season.
“The DCAD office building is open to the public 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday”
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