How to protest your property taxes in Washington County, Texas
In Washington County, if the value on your notice is too high, you can protest it. You don't need a lawyer.
Checked against official sources: Oct 21, 2026
Can I still protest?
Closed for 2026 — opens in April 2027
Closed for 2026. The next protest window opens with appraisal notices in April 2027; protests are due May 15, 2027 or 30 days after your notice.
Washington County homeowners pay a median of $3,143 a year in property tax on a median home value of $288,100. Its effective tax rate (property taxes paid as a share of home values, per the Tax Foundation) is 0.79%, the 216th highest of 251 Texas counties. Your home's value is set by the Washington County Appraisal District (the county office that sets home values), and protests are heard by its Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The district appraises property for 9 local taxing units, so one lower value can cut several tax bills at once.
File a written Notice of Protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases (for example, you never got a required notice). Example: if your notice was delivered April 20, your deadline is May 20 (30 days later) instead of May 15.
Missed the deadline? What you can do now
- Late protest: allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases, for example if you never got a required notice.
- Check your notice: is your homestead exemption on it and was the 10% homestead cap applied? If an exemption is missing, ask the office that sets your value. Exemptions have their own deadlines.
- Set a reminder for April 2027, when the next notice usually arrives. Then check the value and the deadline right away. Add to my calendar
Where to file in Washington County
Washington County Appraisal District
Phone: 979-277-3740
Email: wcad@brenhamk-12.net
Street address: 1301 Niebuhr St., Brenham, TX 77833-5031
Mailing address: P.O. Box 681, Brenham, TX 77834-0681
Official website: washingtoncad.org
Sets your home's value, handles protests and homestead exemption applications.
Tax office: Washington County
Phone: 979-277-6200
Street address: 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Brenham, Texas 77833-3701
This office does not collect property taxes. Your bill may come from the appraisal district or another collector; it is printed on the bill.
How to protest in Washington County, step by step
Watch for your notice in April
The Washington County Appraisal District mails notices of appraised value in spring. The notice shows the market value and the protest deadline.
Check your property record
Look up your home on the Washington County Appraisal District website and check square footage, bathrooms, condition and features. Use our record card checklist.
File your protest by the deadline
File online through the district's portal, or with Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) by mail or in person. Tick both boxes: value is over market value, and value is unequal compared with other properties.
Try the informal meeting
Most districts offer an informal review with an appraiser before the ARB hearing. Many cases settle there.
Present your case to the ARB
Bring copies of your evidence for each board member. Keep to the value of your home, not the size of the bill.
More detail
The appraisal district must prove its value is right by the more convincing evidence (“a preponderance of the evidence”: more likely true than not). It must meet the higher 'clear and convincing' standard if (a) your home is worth $1 million or less and you file a sworn certified appraisal at least 14 days before the hearing, or (b) your value was lowered on protest last year (not by agreement) and you file supporting sales or data 14 days ahead. In an unequal-appraisal claim you win unless the district shows your value is at or below the median of comparable properties.
If you disagree with the ARB
Binding arbitration: within 60 days after you receive the ARB order. SOAH: notice of appeal within 30 days. District court: petition within 60 days. Binding arbitration is open to any homestead and other property worth $5 million or less; file Form AP-219 (Request for Binding Arbitration) with the Texas Comptroller, online or by mail with a check or money order payable to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, plus a deposit ($450 for a homestead the ARB valued at $500,000 or less, $500 above that). If the arbitrator's value is closer to yours, you get the deposit back minus a $50 fee.
Texas lets you protest an unequal appraisal: if similar homes nearby are valued lower per square foot, you can ask for the same rate.
Unequal appraisal calculatorHow much could you save?
Enter the market value on your assessment notice and what you think the home would really sell for. We estimate the yearly saving if the board agrees with you.
Some states cap how fast the taxable value of a home can rise (California, Florida, Michigan and Texas homesteads, for example). If your taxable value is already held below market value by a cap, a lower market value may not lower this year's bill.
Free property tax protest letter
Fill in your details and download a written protest statement as a PDF. Texas appraisal districts also use Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) or their online protest: file that and attach this letter and your evidence.
Texas: 2026 protests are closed. Use this after your 2027 notice arrives.
RobinClaim is a free information site, not a law firm or appraiser. The letter is a template, not legal advice.
Washington County property tax protest FAQ
What is the deadline to protest property taxes in Washington County?
File a written Notice of Protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late protests are allowed only for good cause or in narrow cases (for example, you never got a required notice). Example: if your notice was delivered April 20, your deadline is May 20 (30 days later) instead of May 15.
Where do I file a property tax protest in Washington County?
With the Washington County Appraisal District at 1301 Niebuhr St., Brenham, TX 77833-5031, online through its protest portal, or by mail using Form 50-132.
How do I contact the Washington County Appraisal District?
Phone 979-277-3740. Website: washingtoncad.org.
Can I protest even if my value didn't change?
Yes. Any owner can protest the appraised value each year, as long as you file by the deadline.
Sources
Contact details from the Texas Comptroller's county directory (updated 02/19/2025). Call before you visit; offices move.