Owning property in San Antonio (Bexar County) is a significant investment and staying on top of your property tax reassessments is key to protecting that investment. Let’s break down what happens when property owners simply ignore those notices, and why staying proactive can save you money, headaches, and legal trouble.
1. Reassessments Are Routine but Important
Every year, Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD) reappraises properties and sends out a Notice of Appraised Value (NOAV) to homeowners. According to BCAD’s reappraisal plan, this is an annual process, aimed at maintaining transparency and aligning values with current market rates.
In 2025, BCAD introduced a helpful twist: if you successfully challenge your valuation, they’ll skip reappraising the next year, meaning that lower value may carry forward into 2026.
2. Missed Opportunities to Save on Taxes
Ignoring your assessment notice means missing your window to protest possibly inflated valuations. In Bexar County, you must file a protest by May 15 or 30 days after your NOAV is mailed, whichever is later.
Skipping this means you forfeit your chance to contest the appraisal, and potentially overpay in taxes. A well-supported protest, backed by comparable sales, photos, or repair estimates, can result in meaningful savings.
3. Penalties, Interest, and Legal Risk
Failing to act can lead to steep financial consequences:
- Late payment penalties and interest: In Bexar County, unpaid taxes face a 6% penalty for the first month, plus 1% interest per month thereafter. (Bexar County, San Antonio)
- After February 1, delinquent taxes may be handed to a collection attorney (for business properties by April 1, others by July 1), and accrue an additional 15–20% collection fee. (Bexar County, Bexar County Elections)
- Liens are automatic: In Texas, a lien attaches on January 1 of each year, whether or not you’ve received your tax bill. From February 1, you’re considered delinquent and vulnerable to legal collection or even foreclosure proceedings.
4. Losing Your Right to Protest
Don’t overlook this: Failing to protest in time means giving up ground to request a lower valuation. Whether through BCAD’s informal settlement process or the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), timely protest is your only pathway to challenge the appraisal.
Remember: If you do protest and win, BCAD’s one-year reappraisal reprieve applies saving you effort next year too.
5. Exceptions and Relief Options
Sometimes financial relief is available if you’re falling behind:
- Tax deferral: Older adults, disabled individuals, surviving spouses of disabled veterans, and certain other eligible residents can file a tax deferral affidavit. This halts collection efforts and penalties but interest accrues at 5% annually. Collection actions stop.
This measure helps protect your homestead from being lost due to tax liens, but doesn’t cancel owed amounts so it buys time, not forgiveness.
6. Practical Tips to Protect Yourself
Tip # | What You Should Do |
1. Open and review your NOAV immediately | Check for errors, exemptions, and value accuracy |
2. Protest early if needed. | File by May 15 or 30 days from the notice hit both deadlines, whichever is later. |
3. Gather evidence. | Use comps, photographs, repair quotes, especially if your property has issues. |
4. Attend your ARB hearing if needed. | BCAD staff and ARB decisions can only confirm or lower your value, not raise it. |
5. Consider deferral if eligible. | For qualified homeowners, a deferral can buy vital time. |
6. Never delay payment. | Penalties and interest start mounting immediately, don’t wait until February. |
Final Word
Ignoring a property tax reassessment, even just missing the protest deadline, can cost you more than you might expect. From potentially higher tax bills to liens, foreclosures, and lost opportunities to contest, the consequences escalate fast. But staying proactive reviewing your NOAV, filing protests, gathering evidence, and leveraging available relief options puts control back in your hands.
At Alamo Ad Valorem, we know navigating Bexar County’s complexities can be tricky. That’s why we’re here to help you challenge valuations, reduce your tax burden, and make informed decisions. Don’t wait until the penalties pile up, take action, and let’s protect what’s yours.