Collin County property tax protest: deadlines, evidence and hearings

Collin County property tax protest at a glance

Is a property tax protest worth it in Plano?

Each $25,000 you take off a Plano homestead's appraised value saves about $398 a year at 2026 rates in Plano ISD and Collin County; on a rental with no exemptions, about $426. The saving repeats every year the lower value carries forward, and the 10% homestead cap then grows from the lower base.

The timing favors protesting now. Zillow's typical Plano value fell 3.33% in the 12 months to September 2026, and every ZIP in the city was down. The appraisal district values homes as of January 1, so a notice that shows a value above what similar homes sold for around that date is the case you're looking for. A homeowner's own closing price, if it was recent, is evidence the district lists by name.

Run it on a recent purchase. Say you closed at $470,000 a few weeks before January 1 and the April notice says $497,714. Arguing the value down to your price takes about $27,700 off, worth about $441 a year at 2026 homestead rates for as long as it carries forward. Three questions decide whether to file: is the notice above what you or similar homes sold for around January 1? Is the appraised (capped) value above that figure too? Is anything on the record wrong? One yes is enough.

When a Plano property tax protest isn't worth filing

If the value on your notice is already below recent sales of homes like yours, a protest can still be heard, but the district's evidence will show the gap in its favor. Skip it, or file only on a factual error such as the wrong square footage, a pool you don't have, or a missing exemption.

Protesting a capped homestead value

The 10% cap limits how fast your appraised value can rise; it doesn't change the market value on the notice. If you've owned the home a few years, the capped figure may sit well under market, and a protest that lowers market value may not lower your bill. Read both lines on the notice before you spend an afternoon on comparables.

Collin County property tax protest deadline

The deadline is May 15, or 30 days after the appraisal district's notice, whichever is later. If May 15 falls on a weekend or holiday it moves to the next business day, and your own deadline is printed on your notice. Notices go out around April 15, and informal reviews start the next day. A mailed protest must be postmarked by the deadline.

Late Collin County property tax protest

The Appraisal Review Board can hear a late protest only if you show good cause. Two narrower routes stay open after May 15: a protest that you never received the notice, filed before the tax is delinquent, and a motion to correct a value that was at least one-fourth too high on a homestead (one-third on other property). Don't plan on either.

Collin County property tax protest deadline in 2026 and 2027

The 2026 window has closed. For the 2027 tax year, expect the notice around April 15, 2027, with the deadline on May 15, 2027 or 30 days after your notice. Set the reminder now if you closed this year.

How to file a property tax protest with Collin CAD

1. Read the notice: market value, appraised (capped) value, exemptions and your deadline.
2. Look up the property on Collin CAD's property search and check the facts: square footage, year built, pool, condition.
3. Pull comparable sales (below) and settle on the value you can support.
4. File the protest by the deadline through the Taxpayer Portal at onlineportal.collincad.org, by mail, or with the Comptroller's Form 50-132. The district accepts any written protest that names the owner, the property and the reason.
5. Book an informal review with a staff appraiser using the QR code on your notice, or online through Collin CAD's booking page.
6. If the informal review doesn't settle it, attend the ARB hearing.

Collin CAD informal review

The informal review is a meeting with a district appraiser, and appraisers can change the value there, so bring everything. The district says to book as early as possible. Be clear on one point: an informal review doesn't protect your right to a hearing: only a protest filed on time does.

Plano property tax appeals at the ARB hearing

The Appraisal Review Board is a panel of residents, separate from the appraisal district. You'll get at least 15 days' notice of the hearing. At least 14 days before it, the district must send its procedures and a statement that you can see the evidence it plans to use: ask for it. You may appear in person, by phone or video, or by written affidavit, and you can get one postponement without giving a reason if you ask in writing before the hearing. Hearings usually take place at Collin CAD's McKinney office. The Comptroller's point is worth keeping in mind: you can't win by saying the district is wrong; you have to show why.

Best evidence for a Collin County property tax protest

For homes, the district lists the evidence it takes: closing disclosures, contracts, comparable sales, appraisals, loan documents, repair estimates and photos. Submit your opinion of value with the protest.

Recent sale price as protest evidence

If you bought the home within a few months of January 1, your closing disclosure and contract are the strongest single exhibit, because they show a real sale of the exact home. A lender's appraisal from the same period backs it up.

Comparable sales for a Plano protest

Pick three to five sales of similar homes in your subdivision or ZIP, closed as near to January 1 as you can find. Match size, age and lot, then adjust for differences. If you're buying with Linda, she can pull the sold comparables for your notice from the MLS so you're arguing from closed prices, not list prices.

Repair estimates for a property tax protest

Written contractor estimates for foundation, roof or HVAC problems, with dated photos, support a lower value when the district's record assumes average condition. Ask for them on the contractor's letterhead with a dated total.

Unequal appraisal protest

You can also argue that your home is valued higher than comparable homes are appraised, even if the market value is right. This uses the district's own values for similar properties, which you can read on Collin CAD's property search.

After the property tax protest: appeals and payment

The ARB sends a written order. If you disagree, the Comptroller lists three routes, each with a deadline counted from when you receive it:

Paying property tax while you protest

A protest doesn't move the January 31 due date. To appeal to court you must pay the part of the tax that isn't in dispute before it's delinquent. If the value drops, the tax office refunds the difference. Rates and due dates are on the Collin County property tax guide.

Property tax protest company or do it yourself in Plano

Protest companies in Collin County file and argue the case for you, usually for a share of the tax they save. To let one act for you, you sign the Comptroller's Form 50-162 appointing an agent. Before you sign, get in writing the percentage, whether it applies to one year or every year, and whether there's a fee if they don't lower the value.

For a single Plano homestead with a clean comparable set, filing yourself takes a few hours and keeps the whole saving. A company earns its fee on rentals, unusual homes, or when you can't attend in May and June. Either way, file the homestead exemption first: it's worth more than most protests and has no fee. The homestead exemption filing steps explain how.

Property tax protest for Plano homes in Denton County

Denton CAD protests in far-west Plano

Plano addresses in Denton County, including Kings Ridge, are appraised by Denton Central Appraisal District, so the protest goes there rather than to Collin CAD. The Texas rules are the same: the May 15 or 30-day deadline, the ARB hearing, and the same appeal options. Use the notice and the online filing system Denton CAD sends you. Not sure which side of the county line you're on? Check Plano's county map.

This guide explains how protests work; it isn't legal advice. Confirm deadlines on your own notice, and ask a real estate attorney or CPA about appeals beyond the ARB.