Fort Worth Property Tax Estimator & How to Protest Your Appraisal
By Brent Reiter, REALTOR® · Last updated November 4, 2026
Enter a value and school district to see what a Fort Worth home owes in 2026, line by line, with or without a homestead exemption. Then, if your appraisal looks too high, here's how to protest it with the Tarrant Appraisal District. Filing is free, and you don't need to hire anyone.
At a Glance
- Protest deadline
- May 15, or 30 days after your notice (whichever is later)
- Cost to file
- Free (online at tad.org)
- Next notices
- Around April 2027
- Homestead cap
- Taxable value can't rise more than 10% a year
Estimate Your Fort Worth Property Taxes
Fort Worth Property Tax Estimator
2026 adopted rates, Tarrant County. Results update as you type.
| Taxing unit | Taxable value | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth ISD | $260,000 | 1.029099 | $2,676 |
| City of Fort Worth | $320,000 | 0.705650 | $2,258 |
| Tarrant County | $320,000 | 0.186000 | $595 |
| JPS Health Network | $320,000 | 0.159000 | $509 |
| Tarrant County College | $395,000 | 0.120000 | $474 |
| Tarrant Regional Water District | $400,000 | 0.027300 | $109 |
Without a homestead exemption this home would owe about $8,908, so the exemption saves about $2,287 a year.
Estimate only. It doesn't include the over-65 school tax ceiling, local optional school exemptions, or special districts beyond a MUD/PID you enter. Check your actual taxing units and exemptions on your Tarrant Appraisal District record.
Want the breakdown of every rate and exemption? See Fort Worth property taxes explained. Not sure of your school district? Use which school district is my Fort Worth address in.
When to Protest
Each spring the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) mails a Notice of Appraised Value. Under Texas Tax Code §41.44 you can protest until May 15 or 30 days after the notice was mailed, whichever is later. The 2026 window has closed; watch for your 2027 notice around April.
- Protest the market value if the appraisal is higher than what the home would sell for on January 1.
- Protest unequal appraisal if similar homes near you are appraised lower.
- Check exemptions on the notice. A missing homestead or over-65 exemption is a quick fix and can save more than a value protest.
- With a homestead, your taxable value is capped at a 10% increase a year even if the market value jumps. A protest can still lower the market value that the cap grows from.
How to File and What Happens Next
- File online at tad.org with the account number from your notice, or mail the Comptroller's Form 50-132. Online filing lets you pick your reason and upload evidence in one session.
- Gather evidence (next section). Upload it with your protest or bring it to your hearing.
- Informal review. TAD may offer a settlement value before any hearing. You can accept it or keep going.
- Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. If you don't settle, a panel of citizens hears your case. You present first, the appraiser responds, and the panel decides. Hearings are short, so lead with your best comparables.
- If you still disagree, you can appeal the ARB's decision to district court, binding arbitration or the State Office of Administrative Hearings, each with its own deadlines and fees.
Evidence That Works
- Recent comparable sales near January 1 of the tax year: similar size, age, condition and location, with prices adjusted for differences. This is the strongest evidence for a market-value protest.
- Condition problems the appraiser can't see: foundation, roof or water damage. Bring dated photos and repair estimates.
- Your purchase price, if you bought recently in an arm's-length sale, with the closing statement.
- Equity comparables: TAD's own appraised values on similar nearby homes, for an unequal-appraisal protest.
- Errors on your record: wrong square footage, bed/bath count, pool or garage that doesn't exist.
Want sold comparables for your protest? I'm a Fort Worth REALTOR® with access to NTREIS sales data. Send me your address and I'll pull recent sales near you, free. You file and present the protest yourself.
Should You Hire a Protest Company?
You don't have to. Filing is free, and most homeowners can present a simple comparable-sales case. If you do pay someone to protest for you, Texas generally requires them to be registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as a property tax consultant, with exemptions for attorneys and certain other licensees. Most companies charge a share of the savings.
Thinking about buying or selling in Fort Worth? I was born and raised here, and I help buyers and sellers across DFW from my office in the Mid-Cities. Call or text anytime, no pressure.
Brent Reiter, REALTOR®
Brent Sells DFW · 817-874-1602
Local Resources & Citations
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to protest property taxes in Tarrant County?
May 15, or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. Notices usually arrive in April.
How much does it cost to protest my property taxes in Fort Worth?
Nothing. Filing a protest with the Tarrant Appraisal District is free, online at tad.org or by mail with Form 50-132.
What evidence should I bring to a property tax protest?
Recent comparable sales near January 1, photos and repair estimates for condition problems, your own purchase documents if you bought recently, and any errors on your property record such as wrong square footage.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Fort Worth?
About $6,620 a year in Fort Worth ISD with a homestead exemption at 2026 rates, or about $8,910 without one. Use the estimator above for other values and school districts.