Southlake, Keller, and Colleyville Homeowners: Tarrant Appraisal District Dates to Know

When is the Tarrant Appraisal District protest deadline?

For tax year 2026, the deadline was May 15, 2026, or 30 days after the date your Notice of Appraised Value was delivered. That is the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) wording. The date is clearly marked on your value notice, so read the notice and not a calendar.

TAD mailed its 2026 notices on April 17, 2026. Dates for 2027 will come with the 2027 notice. Do not rely on last year’s date. Check the notice you get and the TAD site. Our property tax protest guide has the full steps.

Which appraisal district covers Southlake, Keller and Colleyville?

Keller and Colleyville homes sit in Tarrant County, so TAD sets their values. The Comptroller’s rate table lists both cities under Tarrant County. Southlake is different. The City of Southlake links to both the Tarrant and Denton appraisal district databases, so some Southlake homes may fall under Denton County.

Your notice shows which district valued your property. Read the appraisal district entry in our glossary if the terms are new. If your Southlake home is valued by Denton Central Appraisal District (DCAD), DCAD’s rules apply. DCAD says the deadline to protest is May 15 or 30 days from the mailing date of your notice, whichever is later. Note how that differs from TAD’s wording.

How do I file a protest with TAD?

You can file online, by mail or in person. TAD recommends the dashboard. TAD says you can file an online protest through your dashboard account. If you do not have one, you can create it with the online PIN on your value notice.

1. Open your Notice of Appraised Value and find the deadline.
2. Create or log in to your TAD dashboard account.
3. Review your value and the evidence TAD shows.
4. File your protest before the deadline, or use the value negotiation tool TAD offers to residential owners.
5. Keep copies of everything you submit.

A property tax protest asks for a lower value. It does not change the tax rate set by each taxing unit.

What is a homestead exemption, and what does it do?

A homestead exemption removes part of your home’s value from taxation. TAD says a homestead exemption also limits the increase of your appraised value to 10% annually, which people call the homestead cap. Land and improvements can raise the value above the cap in some cases.

You must apply. TAD says qualifying individuals must submit an application, and there is no fee to file. Read our homestead exemption entry for the basics.

The City of Southlake’s tax page currently says residents benefit from a 20% homestead exemption, the highest level the law permits. The Comptroller says school districts must give a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead under Tax Code Section 11.13(b), as its exemptions page reads in October 2026. Amounts and rules can change, so confirm them each year.

What if I bought the home recently?

Apply for your own exemptions. DCAD says that if you bought a home recently, exemptions from the previous owner do not carry over, and you must apply for your own. Check the same point with TAD if your home is in Tarrant County.

What if I miss the deadline?

You may still have a path. TAD says late protests are allowed for good cause if you miss the usual deadline, and that the appraisal review board decides whether you have good cause. TAD also says late protests are not allowed after the board approves the appraisal records for the year.

So act early. If you cannot resolve the value informally, you have the right to a hearing before the board, which TAD describes as an independent board of citizens. Our property tax protest entry explains the terms.

Next step

Wallace CPA’s individual tax and planning service covers how property tax fits your wider plan. Our Southlake page lists our office at 180 State Street, Suite 225. Call (877) 682-1171 or use the form at /contact.

This post is general information, not advice for your situation. Talk to a CPA about your own situation.