Learn how Texas property tax arbitration may work after a protest, how it differs from an ARB hearing or lawsuit, what deadlines may matter, and when property owners should evaluate appeal options.
Regular Binding Arbitration (RBA) is an alternative to a district-court appeal for certain Texas property owners who disagree with an Appraisal Review Board decision on market value, appraised value, or unequal appraisal. A qualifying request generally must be filed with the Texas Comptroller within 60 days after receiving the ARB order. Residence homesteads can qualify regardless of value; other qualifying property generally must have an ARB-determined value of $5 million or less. Timely tax payment, the required deposit, and other statutory conditions also apply.
If you went through a property tax protest and still believe the result is unfair, regular binding arbitration (RBA) in Texas may be one of the next-step options to evaluate. Arbitration is not the same as the initial protest, and it is not the same as filing a lawsuit against the appraisal district.
This guide explains where arbitration fits after an Appraisal Review Board hearing, how it compares with a property tax lawsuit in Texas, and how it supports the broader Property Tax Appeal Texas process.
A qualifying RBA request generally must be filed within 60 days after the owner receives the ARB order.
Residence homesteads have no value cap for RBA; other qualifying property generally must be valued at $5 million or less.
A filing deposit is required. Current statewide deposit amounts depend on property type and ARB-determined value.
After a request is processed, the parties generally enter a 45-day settlement period before an arbitrator is assigned.
In this context, property tax arbitration usually means Regular Binding Arbitration (RBA) under Texas Tax Code Chapter 41A. It is a post-ARB appeal route for qualifying disputes involving market value, appraised value, or unequal appraisal.
RBA is different from the initial property tax protest. The protest and ARB hearing come first. Arbitration becomes relevant only after the ARB issues an order and the owner satisfies the RBA eligibility and filing requirements.
RBA eligibility is defined by Texas law and the Comptroller's filing rules. A property owner should confirm each requirement before relying on arbitration as the next appeal step.
If you are still in the protest stage, start with the Texas Property Tax Protest guide before evaluating arbitration.
RBA follows the ARB stage. The exact filing method depends in part on whether the owner is represented, but the process generally follows these steps.
For a broader explanation of the post-protest stage, read What Happens After a Property Tax Protest in Texas?
An Appraisal Review Board hearing and property tax arbitration are related, but they are not the same. The ARB hearing is typically part of the initial protest process. Arbitration may be evaluated after that process if the owner still disagrees with the value and the case qualifies.
| Process | When It Happens | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Protest | After receiving an appraisal notice and before the protest deadline | Challenge the appraisal district’s value through the normal protest process. |
| ARB Hearing | During the protest process | Present evidence to the Appraisal Review Board and seek a lower value. |
| Arbitration | Potentially after the ARB/protest result | Evaluate a separate appeal path when available and strategically appropriate. |
To prepare for the earlier stage, review our Appraisal Review Board hearing guide.
Property tax arbitration and a property tax lawsuit are both potential post-protest options, but they are different paths. A lawsuit may be appropriate for certain complex, high-value, commercial, or heavily disputed matters, while arbitration may be a more focused review option in some cases.
| Option | Common Use | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitration | Possible next-step review after the protest/ARB process | May be more limited or procedural; eligibility and deadlines must be reviewed carefully. |
| Lawsuit | Judicial appeal for certain disputes after the protest stage | May be more appropriate for complex valuation, legal, commercial, or high-dollar disputes. |
For litigation-related guidance, read Advantages of Filing a Property Tax Lawsuit in Texas.
A qualifying request for Regular Binding Arbitration generally must be filed with the Texas Comptroller not later than 60 days after the property owner receives the ARB order. Do not wait for the tax bill or assume another appeal deadline controls the arbitration filing window.
RBA requires a deposit. Current Comptroller guidance states that statewide RBA deposits range from $450 to $1,550 depending on the property type and ARB-determined value. Because fee schedules and filing rules can change, confirm the current amount before submitting the request.
All agents and property owners represented by agents must file and pay the deposit through the Texas Property Tax Arbitration System. An owner who is not represented by an agent may also be able to use the paper filing process with the required form, deposit, and ARB order.
The Comptroller retains a $50 administrative fee. If the arbitrator determines a value nearer to the property owner's stated opinion of value than to the ARB value, the owner generally receives the remainder of the deposit back and the appraisal district pays the arbitrator's fee. Otherwise, the deposit is generally used toward the arbitrator's fee, subject to the applicable rules.
Official filing source: Texas Comptroller — Regular Binding Arbitration. Also review the Texas property tax deadlines calendar and appeal deadlines by county.
Arbitration still depends on the strength of the valuation evidence. The best evidence depends on the property type, valuation method, county appraisal district, and reason the value is being challenged.
If the dispute involves valuation evidence, the article on market value vs. appraised value in Texas can help explain how market evidence may fit into the appeal strategy.
Arbitration is one possible post-ARB appeal route. The broader Property Tax Appeal Texas guide explains how arbitration compares with district-court litigation and other post-ARB options.
Property owners who are unsure whether they are still in the protest stage, appeal stage, arbitration stage, or lawsuit stage should start by reviewing the full appeal path before choosing a strategy.
The main pillar page for protest results, arbitration, lawsuits, deadlines, and appeal options.
Service page for owners evaluating post-protest appeal strategy.
Learn what happens before arbitration may become relevant.
Review possible next steps after the protest or ARB stage.
Understand when litigation may be considered after an unfavorable result.
Check deadline guidance before evaluating arbitration or litigation.
Regular Binding Arbitration (RBA) is a post-ARB appeal option for qualifying disputes involving market value, appraised value, or unequal appraisal. It is an alternative to filing a district-court appeal in eligible cases.
A qualifying RBA request generally must be filed with the Texas Comptroller within 60 days after the property owner receives the ARB order.
Residence homesteads can qualify regardless of value. Other qualifying property generally must have an ARB-determined value of $5 million or less. The dispute must involve an eligible ARB determination, taxes must be timely paid, and other statutory requirements apply.
The filing deposit depends on property type and value. Current Comptroller guidance states that RBA deposits range from $450 to $1,550. Confirm the current fee schedule before filing because deposit rules can change.
After a request is processed, the owner and appraisal district generally enter a 45-day settlement period. If the matter does not settle or is not withdrawn, the Comptroller appoints an eligible arbitrator and the hearing is scheduled.
No. The ARB hearing is part of the initial protest process. RBA is a separate post-ARB appeal option that becomes available only after an eligible ARB determination.
It depends on the value at stake, the strength of the evidence, eligibility, the required deposit, and how arbitration compares with district-court litigation. Owners should evaluate the likely benefit against the cost and procedural requirements before filing.
Yes. Legal guidance may help with eligibility, deadlines, valuation evidence, procedural issues, and deciding whether arbitration or district-court litigation is the better post-ARB option.
If your protest or ARB result still appears unfair, Property Taxes Law can help you review the assessment, understand arbitration and lawsuit considerations, and decide the best next step.
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