The 2026 Bexar County Protest Deadline Is Coming Up
If you own property in Bexar County — San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, Live Oak, or anywhere else in the county — and you think your appraised value is too high, Texas law gives you the right to protest. But that right expires on a fixed date. Miss it, and you're stuck with whatever the Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD) has decided your home is worth — and the tax bill that comes with it.
Here's what San Antonio-area homeowners need to know about the 2026 protest deadline.
The Standard Deadline: May 15, 2026
For most Bexar County homeowners, the deadline to file a property tax protest is May 15, 2026. This is set by Texas state law and applies to residential properties across the state.
Your protest must be received by BCAD on or before this date — not postmarked. If you're filing by mail, send it well in advance. Better yet, file online through BCAD's online protest system to avoid mail delays entirely.
The 30-Day Rule: Your Safety Net
There's one important exception under Texas Tax Code Section 41.44(a)(1). If BCAD mails your appraisal notice after April 15, 2026, you get 30 days from the date on the notice to file your protest — even if that date falls after May 15.
How it works in practice:
- Notice dated April 10, 2026 → deadline is May 15, 2026 (standard deadline)
- Notice dated April 23, 2026 → deadline is May 23, 2026 (30 days from the notice)
- Notice dated May 6, 2026 → deadline is June 5, 2026 (30 days from the notice)
Check the date on your appraisal notice carefully. The 30-day rule can give you extra time, but only if your notice was mailed late.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you miss the deadline, BCAD will not accept your protest. There are no extensions and no grace periods. Your appraised value for 2026 becomes final, and your tax bill will be calculated based on that number.
Bexar County's combined tax rate runs around 2.1-2.3% depending on your city and school district. That means a $30,000 over-assessment costs you roughly $630 to $690 in unnecessary property taxes for the year. A $60,000 over-assessment costs over $1,300. For San Antonio seniors on fixed Social Security income, this is money that could cover months of utilities or groceries.
How to File Your Protest With BCAD
Filing is simpler than most people think. You don't need a lawyer, and the filing itself is free. Bexar County homeowners have three options:
Option 1: File Online (Recommended)
BCAD's online protest system is the fastest way to file. Visit bcad.org, find the online appeals portal, and follow the prompts. You'll need your property account number (it's on your appraisal notice) and some basic information.
Benefits of filing online: - Instant confirmation that your protest was received - Many protests settle through online evidence review without a hearing - You can upload evidence directly through the portal
Option 2: File by Mail
Download the protest form from bcad.org or use the one included with your appraisal notice. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form.
Important: Mail it at least 7-10 days before the deadline. Consider sending it via certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
Option 3: File in Person
Bring your completed protest form directly to the BCAD office in San Antonio. This guarantees delivery but requires a trip and possible wait time.
What to Include When You File
The filing itself is simple. You need to:
- Identify your property (account number or address)
- State the reason for your protest (most Bexar County homeowners choose "value is over market value")
- Sign and date the form
You do not need to submit evidence at the filing stage. Evidence — comparable sales, photos, property record corrections — comes later online or at your hearing.
A Simple 2026 Timeline for Bexar County
- Early April: Receive your appraisal notice from BCAD. Review it immediately.
- Mid-April: Decide whether to protest. Look up comparable sales and check your property record for errors.
- Late April: File your protest through BCAD's online system. Don't wait until the last minute.
- May – July: Settle through online review, or attend your informal hearing and/or ARB hearing.
- After decision: If successful, your appraised value drops and so does your tax bill.
Why Filing Early Beats Filing Late
Bexar County processes around 185,000 protests each year. Filing early gives you real advantages:
- No risk of missing the deadline due to illness, travel, or forgetfulness
- Earlier hearing dates — BCAD schedules in the order protests are received
- More time to gather evidence and build a strong case
- Better settlement opportunities through informal review before formal hearings begin
A Note for Bexar County Seniors
If you're 65 or older, you qualify for an Over-65 exemption in addition to your homestead exemption. This freezes your school district taxes at the amount you paid the year you turned 65 (or applied for the exemption). Combined with an appeal, seniors in Bexar County can often cut their tax bill significantly.
Applying for the exemption is a separate process from the appeal — but you can and should do both at the same time.
Get Your Free Bexar County Analysis
Not sure whether your San Antonio home is over-assessed? You can find out in under a minute.
Enter your Bexar County address at claimengine.org for a free, instant property analysis. We pull comparable sales data, check for over-assessment, and show you an estimate of potential savings. If there's a case to be made, we prepare everything you need to file a successful protest — before the deadline passes.
Related Guides
- Texas Property Tax Appeal: Statewide Guide
- How Comparable Sales Can Lower Your Property Tax Bill
- Over-65 Property Tax Exemption in Texas
- Free Bexar County Property Tax Analysis — Don't miss the deadline