Lower your Galveston County property taxes
The Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD) values homes from League City and Friendswood to Texas City and the island. After Tropical Storm Arthur in 2026, damage that hasn't been repaired by January 1 should show up in your 2027 value — but only if the district knows about it. 25% of first-year savings, only if you save.
What a too-high value costs you
If your home is assessed at $350,000 but similar homes point to about $325,000, you're taxed on $25,000 too much. At a 1.95% rate that's about $488 a year. Our fee would be $122; you'd keep $366.
What gets missed in Galveston County
- Storm damage on January 1. Unrepaired damage from Tropical Storm Arthur should lower your 2027 value. Photos, estimates and insurance claims are the evidence.
- Island vs. mainland comparisons. Sales on the island and on the mainland don't move the same way. Comparisons should come from your own market.
- Unequal appraisal. Similar homes nearby can be valued lower than yours. Texas lets you protest that directly.
- Drainage and MUD taxes. Many homes pay drainage or MUD taxes on top of county, city and school taxes.
Insider tip: Galveston County's tax office notes you must file a formal protest to be scheduled for an informal conference. File early, then ask for the data GCAD used to set your value.
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Julien reviews every Galveston County case personally and tells you the value we’ll ask for before anything is filed.
Get my free reviewGalveston County calendar
| January 1 | Valuation date |
| April | GCAD mails notices of appraised value to homesteads (by April 1 or soon after) |
| May 17, 2027 | Protest deadline (May 15 falls on a Saturday), or 30 days after your notice if later |
| April – June | Informal meetings with GCAD appraisers |
| May – July | Appraisal Review Board hearings |
| July 25 | Appraisal roll certified |
| After the ARB order | 60 days to request binding arbitration or appeal to court |
| October / January | Tax bills mailed / taxes due by the end of January |
Sources: Galveston Central Appraisal District · GCAD — 2025 tax rates · GCAD — 2026 disaster declaration · Galveston County — protest information. Dates are checked each year; confirm with the county for your property.
Exemptions to check
Your homestead exemption takes $140,000 off your home's value for school taxes ($200,000 if you're 65+ or disabled), and caps how much your taxable value can rise each year at 10%. After the 2026 storm, GCAD offered a temporary disaster exemption (Form 50-312) for damaged property; the 2026 filing deadline was September 28, 2026. We check your exemptions free at sign-up.
Galveston County questions
How do I protest with GCAD?
Online at GCAD's eProtest site, by mail or in person with Form 50-132 — or let us file for you with Form 50-162.
My home was damaged by Tropical Storm Arthur. Does that matter for 2027?
Yes. Your value is set as of January 1, 2027. Damage still unrepaired then is evidence for a lower value.
What if the ARB doesn't lower my value?
You have 60 days after the ARB's order to request binding arbitration or appeal to district court.