Williamson County ARB Hearing: What to Expect
If your Williamson County property tax protest isn't resolved during the informal hearing, you'll proceed to a formal hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB operates independently from WCAD and makes final determinations on disputed property values. Here's what you need to know.
What Is the Williamson County ARB?
The Appraisal Review Board is a panel of local citizens — not WCAD employees — appointed to hear property tax protests. They evaluate evidence from both the homeowner and the appraisal district, then vote on the property's appraised value.
When and Where
ARB hearings in Williamson County run from approximately May through August each year. Hearings are held at the WCAD office at 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626.
WCAD must provide at least 15 days' notice of your scheduled hearing date, time, and location.
How to Participate
Williamson County provides several options for attending your ARB hearing:
- In person: Appear at the WCAD office on your hearing date
- By telephone: Request a phone hearing when filing your protest
- By videoconference: Remote video options are available upon request
- By affidavit: Submit a sworn written statement with your evidence in lieu of appearing. Include your name, property address, account number, hearing date, and all supporting documents.
What to Bring
- Comparable property data: A printed list of 3-5 similar properties with their appraised values and $/sqft. Williamson Value generates this automatically from WCAD's own records.
- Recent sales data: Sale dates, addresses, and prices for comparable homes that sold for less than your appraised value.
- Photos: Dated photos of any condition issues — foundation settlement, roof damage, outdated systems, flood-prone drainage, or proximity to highways or commercial development.
- Repair estimates: Written estimates from licensed contractors for needed repairs.
- Your WCAD notice: The notice of appraised value showing your account number and current assessment.
How the Hearing Works
Residential ARB hearings in Williamson County typically last 15-20 minutes:
- Both you and the WCAD representative are sworn in
- You present your evidence first (aim for 5-10 minutes)
- WCAD presents their evidence and analysis
- Both sides can ask questions and offer rebuttals
- The ARB panel deliberates and announces their decision
Keep your presentation concise and data-driven. The panel sees hundreds of cases and responds to well-organized evidence with clear comparisons — not general complaints about taxes.
If You Disagree with the Decision
If the ARB decision doesn't go your way, you have three options:
- Binding arbitration: File within 60 days for homesteads appraised at $5 million or less. Deposit ranges from $450 to $1,550 depending on value.
- District court appeal: File a petition within 60 days. Requires partial tax payment and typically legal representation.
- SOAH appeal: File within 30 days with a $1,500 deposit. Heard by an Administrative Law Judge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't compare your home to properties in different neighborhoods or vastly different sizes
- Don't argue about tax rates — the ARB only determines appraised values
- Don't skip the informal hearing — most Williamson County cases are resolved there
- Don't bring irrelevant evidence (your tax bill amount, personal finances, etc.)
- Don't confuse assessed value with market value — they use different standards
Sources and evidence for Williamson County
Prepared by Williamson Value. Filing resources checked September 4, 2026.
Start with the Williamson Central Appraisal District property record and your current notice. Our property pages organize imported public assessment records and available comparable evidence. Check the tax year and data dates shown on each page: a prior-year record is useful history, but does not establish the value on a new notice.
Comparable homes are candidates for review. Verify their size, age, condition, location, and sale details before using them. Value per square foot helps screen candidates; it does not account for every difference. Estimated savings depend on the final assessment, exemptions, assessment limits, and applicable tax rates.
Texas filing and valuation checks
For 2026, the ordinary May 15 filing date has passed. A notice mailed later can have a later deadline. Confirm the date on your notice and the WCAD filing instructions. Review Texas Comptroller protest guidance for procedures and owner rights.
Separate a market-value argument from unequal appraisal, and compare the same tax year. A homestead cap or exemption can make taxable value differ from market value; lowering market value may not change the bill immediately. Texas sales coverage is incomplete because sale prices are not universally disclosed.
Check the source before filing
Williamson Value is an independent research tool. Verify the current procedure with Williamson Central Appraisal District, save a copy of your evidence, and retain your filing confirmation. The appraisal authority or review board decides the outcome.