What is the deadline to protest property taxes in Montgomery County?

The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after MCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Most notices go out in April, making mid-May the effective deadline for most homeowners.

How do I file a property tax protest in Montgomery County?

File Form 50-132 with MCAD online at mcad-tx.org/online-protest, by mail to 109 Gladstell St, Conroe, TX 77301, or in person at the MCAD office. You need your property ID and the reason for protest.

Do I need a lawyer to protest my property taxes in Montgomery County?

No. Texas law lets property owners file and present their own protest without a lawyer. Evidence typically includes comparable property data — recent sales or appraised values of similar homes.

What happens at a Montgomery County property tax hearing?

First you attend an informal hearing with an MCAD appraiser — a one-on-one conversation, not a courtroom. Bring your comparable sales data. If you don't reach agreement, you can proceed to a formal ARB hearing.

What evidence do I need for a Montgomery County property tax protest?

The two main approaches are unequal appraisal (showing comparable properties are appraised at less per square foot) and market value (showing comparable properties sold for less than your appraised value). Both use public MCAD and MLS records.

Montgomery County

To protest your Montgomery County property taxes, file Form 50-132 with MCAD by May 15 (or 30 days after your notice). TaxProtestTx generates your complete protest packet with comparable property evidence for $50.

Montgomery Central Appraisal District (MCAD)

Address: 109 Gladstell St, Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: 936-756-3354
Website: mcad-tx.org
Online Protest: mcad-tx.org/online-protest

April Notices mailed

May 15 Filing deadline

June–Aug Hearings

Oct Final tax bills

File by May 15 or 30 days after receiving your Notice of Appraised Value — whichever is later.

Filing Methods

Online: File at mcad-tx.org/online-protest. Upload your evidence report as supporting documentation.
By mail: Send signed Form 50-132 to 109 Gladstell St, Conroe, TX 77301. Must be postmarked by the deadline. Use certified mail.
In person: Deliver to the MCAD office. Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

How to Protest Your Montgomery County Property Taxes: Step by Step

Receive your Notice of Appraised Value. MCAD mails these in April. The notice shows your property's appraised value for the upcoming tax year and includes your property ID and online protest ID.
Review your appraisal. Compare your appraised value to recent sales and appraisals of similar homes in your subdivision. Look at the $/sq ft — if yours is higher than comparable properties, that data may be relevant to your protest. How to read your Notice of Appraised Value →
Gather evidence. Evidence often includes comparable property data: similar homes and their appraised values or sale prices. The two main approaches are unequal appraisal (MCAD appraises similar homes at less per square foot) and market value (recent sales in your area are below your appraised value). Unequal appraisal vs. market value explained →
File Form 50-132 by the deadline. File online at mcad-tx.org/online-protest, by mail to 109 Gladstell St, Conroe, TX 77301, or in person. The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your notice — whichever is later. Deadline details →
Attend your informal hearing. If you requested one on your protest form, MCAD holds a one-on-one meeting with an appraiser (typically June through August). Bring two copies of your evidence. The appraiser may agree, counter-offer, or disagree. What to expect at your hearing →
Accept or proceed to ARB. If you reach agreement at the informal hearing, sign the settlement. If not, you can proceed to a formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing at no cost.

What Evidence Do You Need?

Texas law provides two grounds for protesting your property taxes. You can use one or both:

Unequal Appraisal

Texas Tax Code §41.43(b)(3). Show that comparable properties in your area are appraised at less per square foot than yours. Uses MCAD's own records — the appraisal district's data against itself.

Most common approach. Can be used regardless of market direction.

Market Value

Texas Tax Code §41.41(a)(1); the district bears the burden of establishing the value by a preponderance of the evidence (§41.43(a)). Compare recent sales of comparable properties to your appraised value. Uses recent MLS sales data from your area.

Strong when market is flat or declining. Uses actual transaction prices.

TaxProtestTx compiles both types of comparable data from public MCAD records and MLS data, and pre-fills the required forms. Learn more about both approaches →

Common Protest Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the deadline. If you file after May 15 (or 30 days after your notice), MCAD will reject your protest. Mark your calendar. Deadline guide →
Bringing opinions instead of data. "My taxes are too high" is not evidence. The ARB wants comparable property data — specific properties, appraised values, and $/sq ft comparisons.
Using properties from different subdivisions. Your best comps are from your own subdivision or neighborhood. MCAD groups properties by subdivision code for a reason — the panel expects to see apples-to-apples comparisons.
Forgetting to request MCAD's evidence. Under Texas Tax Code §41.461, you can request the evidence MCAD plans to present. Send a written request at least 14 days before your hearing, and turn on portal notifications at mcad-tx.org/online-protest so you receive the packet when MCAD posts it.

5 common mistakes that weaken your protest →

DIY Protest vs. Hiring a Firm

Property tax consulting firms in Montgomery County typically charge 25-40% of the first year's savings.

TaxProtestTx charges a flat $50 for the evidence packet. You file the protest yourself and keep 100% of any savings. The comparable property data in the packet comes from public MCAD records.

Firms do offer hearing representation, which is a different service. If you prefer someone to attend the hearing for you, a firm may be worth the cost. Full comparison: DIY vs. hiring a firm →

Areas We Cover

TaxProtestTx covers residential properties throughout Montgomery County, including:

The Woodlands Conroe Magnolia Willis Montgomery New Caney Porter Splendora Spring Pinehurst Cut and Shoot Panorama Village

Related Guides

Your Rights

Under Texas Tax Code §41.461, you can request the evidence MCAD plans to use at your hearing — the comparables they picked, the schedules, the math, and any other information they intend to introduce. MCAD must provide it at least 14 days before. Include a written request when you file your protest.

Opt in to MCAD portal notifications. MCAD typically posts the §41.461 packet to the online protest portal rather than mailing it. After you file, log in at mcad-tx.org/online-protest, enable notification or hearing-alert preferences on your account, and check the portal every few days starting 14 days before your hearing. Some districts post the packet without sending an email.

Under Tex. Tax Code §41.47(c-2), the appraisal review board may not set your appraised value above the value the chief appraiser submitted, except as you request and agree to. This limit does not stop the district from adding new construction or omitted property, or correcting records under §25.25, through separate procedures that can increase your value.

You may also designate an agent to represent you at the hearing using Form 50-162. You can also present your own evidence.

Protest Your Montgomery County Property Taxes

Enter your Montgomery County address to see your comparable analysis.

Montgomery, Harris, Dallas & Travis counties. $50 flat fee if you purchase a protest packet.