Texas lawLast checked: October 12, 2026
Do I need a property tax protest company in Texas?
No section cited on this page requires a Texas property owner to hire a protest company. A property owner is entitled to protest before the appraisal review board the actions in 41.41(a), to appear to offer evidence or argument (41.45(b)), and to appear "by himself or by his agent" (41.66(c)). An appraisal district, appraisal review board or taxing unit may not require a person to designate an agent to represent the person in a property tax matter "other than as provided by this section" (1.111(g)).
This page describes what the Tax Code, the Occupations Code, the Comptroller and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) publish about who may protest and who may be paid to represent an owner. It is not legal advice, and it does not say whether any owner should hire a company. Texas Property Protest is a flat-fee protest service provided by The Ambrose Group, which sells the kind of service this page describes.
Does Texas law require me to hire a protest company?
No section cited on this page requires an owner to hire a protest company. Tax Code 41.41(a) says a property owner "is entitled to protest before the appraisal review board" the actions it lists, including the determination of the appraised value of the owner's property.
Section 41.66(c) says an owner entitled to appear "may appear by himself or by his agent." The protest hearing guide describes the hearing.
A property owner "may designate a lessee or other person to act as the agent of the owner" (Tax Code 1.111(a)).
To be entitled to a hearing, the owner must file a written notice of the protest with the appraisal review board by the deadline that applies under 41.44(a), subject to the exceptions in 41.44(b), (c), (c-1) and (c-2). The notice "need not be on an official form" (41.44(d)). The guide to protesting in Harris County lists the steps and what the notice must identify.
Can the appraisal district charge a fee for my protest?
An appraisal district may not require one: Tax Code 41.41(d) says an appraisal district or the appraisal review board for an appraisal district "may not require a property owner to pay a fee in connection with a protest filed by the owner with the board." Section 41.41(d) does not speak to any other cost. The should I protest guide covers the fee rules.
What is a property tax consultant in Texas?
A property tax consultant is "a person who performs or supervises another person in the performance of property tax consulting services for compensation" (Occupations Code 1152.001(5)). The services in 1152.001(6) include representing another person in a protest under Subchapter C, Chapter 41, Tax Code; consulting or advising another person concerning an action the other person may protest under that subchapter; and acting as the agent of a property owner designated in accordance with Section 1.111, Tax Code.
The registration rule is in Section 1152.151(a): "A person may not perform property tax consulting services for compensation unless the person holds a certificate of registration issued under this chapter."
Who does not have to register as a property tax consultant?
Occupations Code 1152.002(a) lists eight kinds of person who are not required to register: "A person is not required to be registered under this chapter if the person:"
- is acting under a general power of attorney, unless the person represents that the person is a property tax consultant, agent, advisor, or representative;
- is licensed to practice law in this state;
- is an employee of a property owner or of an affiliated or subsidiary company of a property owner and performs property tax consulting services for: (A) the property owner; or (B) a partnership, joint venture, or corporation in which the property owner owns an interest;
- is a lessee of a property owner and is designated as the agent of the owner in accordance with Section 1.111, Tax Code;
- is a public employee or officer and assists a property owner in the course of the employee's or officer's duties;
- is a certified public accountant under Chapter 901;
- assists another person in the performance of property tax consulting services or provides testimony on behalf of the other person at a protest hearing under Subchapter C, Chapter 41, Tax Code; or
- provides property tax consulting services only in connection with farms, ranches, or single-family residences and: (A) holds an active real estate broker license or an active real estate salesperson license under Chapter 1101; or (B) is a licensed real estate appraiser or certified real estate appraiser under Chapter 1103.
Section 1152.002(b) adds: "A person described by Subsection (a)(7) is not exempt from the registration requirements of this chapter if: (1) the person is designated as the agent of the other person under Section 1.111, Tax Code; or (2) more than 50 percent of the person's employment time is devoted to, or more than 50 percent of the person's income is derived from, performing or supervising the performance of property tax consulting services."
How do I check a consultant on TDLR's license search?
TDLR's License Data Search at www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/ lists "Property Tax Consultants" as a license type and has a field labelled "Inquire by Name (Last, First) or by Business Name".
TDLR's search help gives the format for a person's name as "Last name, First name", says "Searching for names will include person or company name", and says searches are normally for an exact match of the name as entered. If the spelling is uncertain, a searcher may choose names beginning with or containing the letters entered.
This page does not say what a search by business name returns, or whether an expired registration appears. TDLR's search help does not say whether the search lists a person who is exempt from registration. A person who is exempt is not required to register but may if the person satisfies the registration requirements (Section 1152.153(a)), and an exempt person who registers is subject to the chapter (Section 1152.153(b)).
How does an owner appoint an agent?
The designation of an agent must be made by written authorization on a form the Comptroller prescribes (Form 50-162, Appointment of Agent for Property Tax Matters), and must clearly indicate that the person is authorized to act on behalf of the property owner in property tax matters relating to the property or the property owner (Tax Code 1.111(b)). The designation does not take effect with respect to an appraisal district or a taxing unit participating in the appraisal district until a copy of the designation is filed with the appraisal district (1.111(b)).
For a single-family residential property in which the owner resides, Section 1.111(h) has the Comptroller print this statement in boldface on the form: "In some cases, you may want to contact your appraisal district or other local taxing units for free information and/or forms concerning your case before designating an agent."
Should I hire someone to protest my property taxes?
No source on this page says whether a particular owner should hire anyone or whether a company is worth it.
Are property tax protest companies worth it in Texas?
The Houston companies in the fee comparison charge in three shapes: a percentage of the savings (some with a minimum), a flat fee, and a fixed amount plus a percentage. The comparison also shows terms that differ by company, such as the years the percentage applies to. In a year the protest cuts nothing, a flat fee is still owed, a percentage fee with no minimum is zero, and a hybrid owes its fixed part.
Occupations Code chapter 1152 has no section on the amount or structure of a consultant's fee. TDLR's rules for the program are in 16 Texas Administrative Code chapter 66, which this page does not cover, so it does not say whether any law limits a consultant's fee.
A flat fee costs less than a percentage fee when the cut in the tax bill is more than the flat fee divided by the percentage as a decimal. Against a hybrid, subtract the fixed amount from the flat fee first. This assumes the percentage applies to the cut in the tax bill and any minimum is below the flat fee.
| Example fee | Cut above which $140 costs less | Cut above which $180 costs less |
|---|---|---|
| 25% of the cut | $560 | $720 |
| 40% of the cut | $350 | $450 |
| $30 plus 30% of the cut | $367 | $500 |
The $140 and $180 are the Texas Property Protest price: $140 a year paid upfront, or $15 a month on a 12-month plan ($180 in total). The price renews each year. Monthly is a 12-month plan: cancel early and the months left on it are still due.
The percentages and the $30 are examples for the arithmetic. A company sets its own rate and can change it. This is fee arithmetic and predicts nothing about any protest. Nobody can promise a reduction, including Texas Property Protest.
Sources
- Texas Tax Code. Chapter 1 and chapter 41
- Texas Occupations Code. Chapter 1152, Property Tax Consultants
- Texas Comptroller, Form 50-162. Appointment of Agent for Property Tax Matters (PDF)
- TDLR. License Data Search, search help, Senior Property Tax Consultant Frequently Asked Questions, complaints page, laws and rules
Questions
Can a consultant file a protest without my approval?
A person required to register may not file a protest under Chapter 41, Tax Code, without the approval of the property owner, except for protests filed with the approval of a lessee under Section 41.413, Tax Code (Occupations Code 1152.231(b)).
Can a consultant solicit work by assuring a result?
Occupations Code 1152.232 says a person required to register "may not solicit a property tax consulting assignment by assuring a specific outcome."
How long does an agent appointment last?
An agent designation "remains in effect until revoked in a written revocation filed with the appraisal district by the property owner or designated agent." It may be made to expire by its own terms but is still subject to prior revocation (Tax Code 1.111(c)).
Where can I file a complaint about a consultant?
TDLR's FAQ lists two ways: an online complaint or a downloadable Complaint Form (TDLR FAQ, TDLR complaints page).
More Texas rules
Join the 2027 list
Texas Property Protest files Houston protests for one flat fee. The 2026 deadline has passed, so joining now is for the 2027 list. The price is on the Houston page. To see what other Houston companies charge first, read the fee comparison.