Before You Begin
Make sure you have these items open and ready:
- Your HCAD account number (13 digits)
- Your evidence packet PDF (downloaded from your purchase)
- The pre-written protest reason text from your evidence packet
- A computer or tablet with internet access (iFile works on phones but is easier on a larger screen)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Go to the iFile Website
Open your web browser and go to iFile. This is HCAD's official online protest filing portal.
Tip: Use a desktop or laptop computer if possible. The iFile system works on phones, but some of the forms and file upload features are easier to use on a larger screen.
Create an Account or Log In
If this is your first time using iFile, you will need to create a free account. Click the option to create a new account and follow the prompts. You will need to provide your name, email address, and create a password.
If you have used iFile in a previous year, you may already have an account. Try logging in with the email and password you used last time. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.
Note: Your iFile account is separate from any account you may have on the main HCAD website. They are different systems.
Add Your Property
Once you are logged in, you will see an option to add a property to your account. Enter your 13-digit HCAD account number. The system will look up your property and display your address and current assessed value for confirmation.
Verify that the address and property information shown match your property. If everything looks correct, confirm to add the property to your iFile account.
Start a New Protest
With your property added, you should see an option to "File a Protest" or "Protest This Property." Click that button to begin the protest form.
The system will walk you through several screens. Take your time with each one. You can usually go back to previous screens if you need to make changes.
Select Your Protest Reason
The form will ask you to select the reason (or reasons) for your protest. You will see checkboxes for different protest grounds.
Select "Unequal Appraisal" — this is the primary basis for your protest and matches your evidence packet.
You may also check "Market Value" if you believe your home's assessed value exceeds what it would sell for. There is no penalty for selecting multiple reasons.
If HCAD has incorrect information about your property (wrong square footage, wrong number of bedrooms, etc.), also check the box for errors in the property description.
Enter Your Protest Reason Text
The form includes a text box where you can explain the reason for your protest. This is where your evidence packet saves you time.
Copy and paste the pre-written protest reason from your evidence packet directly into this text box.
The protest reason text in your evidence packet is already written to summarize your comparable properties and explain why your assessment should be reduced. You do not need to write anything from scratch.
If you want to add any additional notes (for example, about needed repairs or property condition issues), you can add those after the pre-written text.
Upload Your Evidence
The form will have an option to upload supporting documents. This is where you attach your evidence packet PDF.
How to upload:
- Click the "Upload" or "Attach File" button on the form
- A file picker will open on your computer
- Navigate to where you saved your evidence packet PDF
- Select the file and click "Open"
- Wait for the upload to complete (you should see a confirmation)
The evidence packet PDF contains the comparable properties table, property details, and your protest argument — everything the appraiser needs to review your case.
File size: iFile accepts PDF files. Your evidence packet is designed to be within HCAD's upload size limits. If you have additional documents to upload (such as photos of property damage or a recent appraisal), you can upload those as separate files.
Enter Your Desired Value (Optional)
The form may ask you what value you think your property should be assessed at. This field is optional, but it can be helpful.
Your evidence packet includes a suggested target value based on your comparable properties. Use that number here. Do not be afraid to enter a value significantly lower than HCAD's current number — the final agreed value will almost always be somewhere between your requested value and HCAD's starting value.
Strategy tip: If your evidence packet suggests a target value of $280,000 and HCAD has you at $320,000, entering $280,000 gives you room to negotiate. The appraiser might counter at $295,000, which is still a significant reduction from $320,000.
Review and Submit
Before submitting, you will see a summary screen showing everything you have entered. Take a moment to review:
- Is the correct property and account number shown?
- Did you select "Unequal Appraisal" as your protest reason?
- Is your protest reason text filled in?
- Is your evidence packet PDF attached?
If everything looks good, click "Submit" or "File Protest." You will receive a confirmation number and usually a confirmation email as well.
Save your confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. You will need this to check the status of your protest later.
You Are Done Filing
Congratulations — your protest has been submitted. Here is what happens next:
- HCAD will acknowledge your protest (usually via email)
- You may receive an iSettle offer within a few weeks (see Page 4 of this guide)
- If iSettle does not resolve it, you will be scheduled for an informal hearing
- You can check the status of your protest at any time on iFile
Common Issues When Filing
"The system says my protest has already been filed"
If a tax agent or consultant has already filed a protest on your behalf, iFile will not let you file a second one for the same tax year. Contact the agent to coordinate, or call HCAD at (713) 957-7800 to clarify.
"I cannot find my account number"
Go to HCAD, click "Property Search," and search by your address. Your account number will appear on the property details page. It is a 13-digit number like 0123456789012.
"The site is running slowly or giving errors"
Near the May 15 deadline, iFile gets extremely heavy traffic and can be slow or temporarily unavailable. This is why we recommend filing at least a week before the deadline. If you encounter errors, wait a few hours and try again, or try early in the morning when traffic is lower.
"My file will not upload"
Make sure your evidence file is in PDF format and within the file size limit (usually 25 MB). If you are having trouble, try using a different web browser (Chrome or Firefox tend to work best) or a different computer.