If you own a home in Tarrant County, 2027 is a year to put on your radar. After two years of frozen residential values, the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) is set to reappraise homes again in 2027, and many homeowners could see a noticeable jump on their appraisal notice next spring. Here's what's changing, what it means for your tax bill, and the simple steps you can take now to protect yourself.
What's Changing With Tarrant County Appraisals?
In 2024, TAD adopted a plan to stop reappraising homes every year. Instead, residential values were held at their 2024 levels for the 2025 and 2026 tax years, and reappraisals moved to every other year. In August 2026, the TAD board kept that same approach going forward, so homes will now be reappraised in odd-numbered years: 2027, 2029, and so on. Commercial property is still reappraised every year.
Why 2027 Could Bring a Bigger Increase
Because values were frozen while the market kept moving, many homes are currently valued below what they'd sell for today. TAD's chief appraiser has said residential properties are sitting at roughly 85% of market value, and he anticipates an average increase of about 15% in residential appraised values in 2027.
The good news: if you have a homestead exemption, the 10% homestead cap limits how much your taxable value can go up in a single year. Homes without a homestead exemption, like rentals and second homes, don't get that protection.
Make Sure Your Homestead Exemption Is Working for You
Texas voters approved bigger homestead exemptions in 2025, and they're one of the easiest ways to lower your property taxes:
- General homestead exemption: $140,000 off your home's value for school district taxes (up from $100,000)
- Homeowners 65+ or disabled: an additional $60,000, for a combined $200,000 school tax exemption, plus a school tax ceiling that freezes that portion of your bill
- The home must be your primary residence, and you can file online through TAD. Try to file by April 30 so it applies to the current tax year.
Just bought a home? Filing your homestead exemption is one of the first things I remind my buyers to do after closing. Also keep an eye out for verification letters, since exemptions are reviewed at least every five years.
How to Protest Your Appraisal in 2027
TAD typically mails appraisal notices in April. If your 2027 value looks too high, you have the right to protest it.
- Watch your mailbox in April. Even if you only receive a postcard, you can still protest.
- Know the deadline. Protests are due by May 15 or 30 days after your notice was mailed, whichever is later.
- File online with TAD. It only takes a few minutes.
- Gather evidence. Recent comparable sales, photos of needed repairs, and inspection reports can all help.
- Attend your hearing. Many protests are settled at an informal review. If not, you'll have a hearing with the Appraisal Review Board, usually between May and August.
Need Comparable Sales? I'm Happy to Help
The strongest protests are backed by real sales data from your neighborhood. As a local broker, I can pull recent comparable sales for your Mansfield, Arlington, Fort Worth, or Tarrant County home at no cost, so you can walk into your protest with confidence. And if you're wondering how the 2027 reappraisal might affect a plan to sell or buy, I'd love to talk it through. You can also check out my Mansfield real estate market update or get a free home value estimate.
Phone: 214-444-9427
Email: carlee.howard@rafterhrealty.com
Website: www.rafterhrealty.com
This post is general information, not tax or legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, please contact the Tarrant Appraisal District or a tax professional.