Castle Hills Property Tax Protest — Local Experts, Real Results
Castle Hills’ city rate of $0.5788 per $100 is among the highest of any independent city in Bexar County. When 68% of your homes were built in the 1940s–1960s and BCAD values them without proper depreciation, overassessment is the norm.
No win, no fee · May 15 deadline
Why Castle Hills Homeowners Are Overpaying
Castle Hills is defined by its mid-century character — 68% of homes were built between the 1940s and 1960s, with another 25% from the 1970s–1990s. Only 3.7% of homes were built after 2000. BCAD’s mass appraisal frequently over-values these unrenovated mid-century homes by failing to account for age-related depreciation, outdated floor plans, and deferred maintenance.
With only ~4 homes selling per month, BCAD has extremely limited comp data and may use sales from adjacent San Antonio neighborhoods that don’t reflect Castle Hills’ character. Redfin data shows the median dropped 16.2% year-over-year in late 2025 — homeowners who haven’t protested may be paying taxes on inflated 2022/2023 values.
The city’s tax rate ($0.5788/$100) is the second-highest among all the independent cities in this area, exceeded only by Balcones Heights. Combined with NEISD at $0.9822, Castle Hills homeowners face a combined rate of approximately $2.305 — making every dollar of overassessment more costly.
- 68% of homes built 1940s–1960s — valued without proper depreciation
- Second-highest independent city rate ($0.5788/$100) makes overassessment costly
- Only ~4 home sales per month means BCAD relies on limited, often inappropriate comps
- Median sale prices dropped 16.2% YoY in late 2025 — assessments haven’t caught up
- Functional obsolescence of mid-century floor plans is not captured by mass appraisal
The 2025–2026 Reappraisal Reprieve
BCAD adopted a biennial reappraisal plan: market values settled through protest in 2025 carry forward unchanged to 2026 unless new construction or clear-and-convincing evidence warrants a change. A successful protest now could lock in lower values for two full tax years.
How We Build Your Castle Hills Case
Castle Hills’ aging housing stock and high city rate demand a depreciation-focused protest strategy.
Age-Adjusted Comparables
We pull comparable sales exclusively from within Castle Hills, with proper age and condition adjustments for 60–80-year-old homes.
Condition Documentation
We document unrenovated systems — original plumbing, electrical, HVAC in homes built 60+ years ago — that BCAD’s model completely ignores.
Unequal Appraisal Analysis
We compare similar-vintage Castle Hills homes assessed at different rates, proving BCAD’s model creates systematic inequities within the city.
Functional Obsolescence
Mid-century floor plans with small kitchens, single-car garages, and low ceilings don’t meet modern buyer expectations. We document these functional limitations as legitimate value-depressing factors.
What It Costs in Castle Hills
On a median Castle Hills home assessed at $475,000 with a combined rate of approximately $2.305 per $100, the estimated annual tax bill is roughly $10,949. A conservative 10% reduction in assessed value would save approximately $1,095 per year. Our fee: 40% of that first-year savings, or about $438. With the reappraisal reprieve carrying the reduction into 2026, your net benefit over two years could reach $1,752.
No upfront cost. No minimum fee. No auto-renewal. You only pay 40% of first-year savings. Year 2 and beyond, you keep 100%. See the 5-year math →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my taxes go up if I protest?+
No. Texas Tax Code §41.43 prohibits the appraisal district from raising your assessed value as a result of a protest. The worst outcome is your value stays the same. There is zero risk to filing.
Why is Castle Hills’ city rate so high?+
Castle Hills maintains its own police department, fire department, and 911 dispatch for just 2.5 square miles and ~4,000 residents. The $0.5788/$100 city rate reflects the cost of full municipal services spread across a small tax base. It’s the second-highest independent city rate in the area.
My home values seem to be declining. Can I still protest?+
Absolutely — and you should. If market values are declining but your BCAD assessment hasn’t been adjusted, you’re being taxed on an inflated value. Redfin data shows Castle Hills median prices dropped 16.2% YoY. We bring this evidence to your protest.
What is the filing deadline?+
May 15, 2026 (or 30 days after BCAD mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later). Filing can be done online, by mail, or in person.
Does Castle Hills offer any exemptions?+
Castle Hills offers a modest homestead exemption (10% or $5,000, whichever is greater) and a $5,000 over-65 exemption at the city level. School district exemptions ($140,000 homestead via NEISD) also apply. But your biggest savings opportunity is protesting the assessed value itself.
Does ATD handle the entire process?+
Yes. We handle all four stages: informal hearing, ARB hearing, binding arbitration, and district court. We file the protest, build the evidence package, attend all hearings, and negotiate on your behalf.
Nearby Areas We Serve
Hollywood Park
Median: $500K · Rate: $2.20/$100
Limited comp volume and a wide value range mean BCAD averages miss. Airport noise impact on some homes adds another protest angle.
Helotes
Median: $420K · Rate: $2.06/$100
Rapid growth inflates established home values. New construction at premium prices skews BCAD comps for older Helotes neighborhoods.
Castle Hills's protest deadline is May 15, 2026.
We need 3 minutes.
40,000+ ARB cases analyzed. Licensed TREC agents. All four protest stages. If we don't save you money, you pay nothing.
Statistics sourced from BCAD 2024 Annual Report, Bexar County 2025 Official Tax Rates, Zillow, and TX Comptroller.
Protest success rates reflect county-wide data; individual outcomes may vary. Alamo Tax Defense — Property Tax Consultant #13464, TX Real Estate Agent #672780.