Tarrant County, Texas, is one of the most populous counties in the United States. With Fort Worth as the county seat, it also has one of the highest property tax rates in Texas. In 2024, the tax rate per $100 valuation was $0.1875. This means that for every $100 your house is worth, you pay $18.75 in taxes. While this was a decrease in the Tarrant County property tax rate from the previous year, it’s still much higher than the national median.
Understanding Property Taxes in Tarrant County
Those who face high Tarrant County property taxes each year deserve to know what exemptions they are eligible for and what the protest process looks like. Lower tax rates don’t mean your property taxes decrease. Studies on Texas property taxes show that a booming real estate market can increase values and, therefore, your tax bill, even when tax rates decrease.
Available Property Tax Deductions
One way to decrease the taxable value of your property is to apply for the homestead exemption. This takes money off the taxable value of your home without decreasing the property value for the sake of a lower tax bill. On top of the basic Tarrant County homestead exemption, there are additional exemptions for those in certain circumstances.
Homestead Exemptions Explained
If the property is your main residence and you occupied it before January 1 of the tax year for which you’re requesting the exemption, the county may apply a 20% exemption for the first time in 2025. The limit was previously 10% of the property value. This is known as the “homestead cap.”
Along with the general homestead exemption, Tarrant County offers exemptions for:
A resident age 65 or older or their surviving spouse
A disabled person or their surviving spouse
A 100% disabled veteran or their surviving spouse
The donated residence of a partially disabled veteran or their surviving spouse
A surviving spouse of an Armed Services member killed in the line of duty
A surviving spouse of a first responder killed while on duty
If any of these categories apply to you, the county may decrease the taxable value of your property to provide some relief from a high tax bill.
Property Tax Caps: What You Need To Know
Property tax caps limit how much your home’s market value can decrease each year for school district property taxes. If you’re 65 or older, you may be eligible for a permanent tax freeze, but only on school district taxes.
Reviewing Your Property Tax Bill
Before you panic or file property tax appeals, make sure you’re reviewing your tax bill properly. Check the account number, property address, and legal description of the property. Next, look at the appraised value, or the market value, as determined by the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD). You may also notice the assessed value, which is a percentage of the appraised value used to calculate property tax amounts.
If you’ve applied for them, check to see if any property tax exemptions were applied. Remember that different entities issue tax at different rates, so you may notice different tax levies on your Texas property taxes from:
Special districts: Hospitals, flood control districts, libraries
City: If your property is within city limits
County: Emergency services and roads
School district: Funds local schools and is usually the biggest portion of your taxes
Remember that this doesn’t have to be your final bill. It’s only a starting point, as you may appeal the property’s assessed value or qualify for exemptions you were unaware of.
Steps To Protest Your Property Tax Assessment
Once you’ve reviewed your tax bill, checked former amounts through a Tarrant County property tax search, and decided to protest, you must file an appeal with the appraisal district 30 days after you receive the notice or by May 15, whichever is later. You may attend an informal hearing with TAD or a formal one in front of the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). At your hearing, you’ll present evidence proving why your assessed property values are too high.
Filing a Notice of Protest
You can file property tax protests in writing or in person, and you should receive confirmation that it was received. Tarrant County has a protest portal that makes it easy to start an appeal.
Preparing for the Hearing
Once your notice is received and you have a hearing scheduled, it’s time to prepare your evidence. During a formal hearing before the ARB, you present evidence that your property’s assessment is too high, while the county can present its case for the current amount.
You can’t just walk into a hearing and say your assessment is too high. It’s important to not only compile evidence but to understand the documents you’re presenting. Here are a few things to consider:
Read through your assessment notice thoroughly and make sure there are no obvious errors regarding the address, square footage, number of rooms, or any other large issues.
Find comparable sales in your area and look for homes similar to yours that have recently sold for less than your assessed value.
Request an independent appraisal from a respected, certified appraiser.
Include inspection reports and photos for any damage incurred that may reduce the value of your property.
Find any relevant information related to the market that shows your property is worth less than the county says.
Tips for Reducing Your Property Taxes
Once again, don’t assume your assessment is correct. Read it closely to make sure the county made no mistakes.
Apply for all homestead exemptions for which you qualify. Some can be stacked to decrease your assessed value by a significant amount. Check to see if you qualify for religious, educational, or charitable exemptions.
Appeal your property tax value decided by the county. Stay educated about changes to local tax law.
Timelines for Protesting Property Assessments
Property owners usually receive the Notice of Appraised Value from TAD around April 1 of each year. You can file a protest 30 days after you receive your notice or until May 15, whichever is later.
After you file your appeal, the county will schedule a hearing with the ARB. These usually happen in June or July, and you’ll get advance notice of your hearing. Most decisions come within several weeks of the hearing.
Gathering Necessary Documentation
Here are the things you need for your hearing:
Original notice
Comparable sales data
Independent appraisal
Photos and videos
Maintenance reports
Inspection reports
Contract estimates
Exemption documentation
You don’t need all of these elements, but each one can help decrease your tax liability. If necessary, do a property tax search in Tarrant County to see if any repairs or improvements were done before you owned the home.
Using Comparable Properties as Evidence
If you’re using comparable properties as evidence, use online listing services, real estate agents, or Tarrant County property tax records to find similar properties. Find homes within a two-mile radius of yours that were sold within the last six to 12 months. Make sure they are similar in age, condition, and size.
Keeping Records of Property Improvements
If your home needs improvements or has significant problems, that can affect its assessed value. For example, you may have an outdated electrical system or structural damage. Keep records of any improvements made to the property and any needed updates.
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Property tax bills are difficult to understand if you’re not an expert. From terms like “appraised value” or “market value” to exemptions and credits, there’s a lot of information to grasp.
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