To protest your property taxes, follow these general steps:

1. Review Your Appraisal Notice

• You will receive a Notice of Appraised Value from your local appraisal district, which states the market value, assessed value, and taxable value of your property. This notice is the basis for your property tax

2. Understand Deadlines

• The usual deadline to file a protest is May 15 or 30 days after you receive the appraisal notice, whichever is later. If the deadline falls on a weekend, it is extended to the next business day

3. File a Protest

• You can file your protest online, by mail, in person, or sometimes by dropping it off at the appraisal district office. Many appraisal districts offer online portals for filing protests, which is often the fastest and easiest method

• You do not necessarily need an official form; a written notice that identifies your property and states your dissatisfaction with the appraisal is acceptable

4. Gather Evidence

• Collect evidence supporting your claim that the appraised value is too high. Useful evidence includes:
  • Comparable property sales (comps) showing lower prices
  • Photos or documentation of property damage or issues (e.g., mold, foundation problems)
  • Market conditions or economic factors affecting your property’s value

5. Informal Meeting (Optional)

• Some appraisal districts offer informal meetings with an appraiser to discuss your protest before a formal hearing

6. Attend Formal Hearing

• If you are not satisfied with the informal meeting or if none is offered, you can present your case at a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Prepare your documents and arguments clearly and respectfully

7. Outcome and Further Steps

• After the hearing, the ARB will decide on your protest. If you disagree with the decision, you may have further appeal options depending on your jurisdiction.

Summary Table of Key Steps

Step| Description| Methods/Notes
---|---|---
Review Notice| Understand your property’s appraised value| Notice mailed by appraisal district
Know Deadlines| File by May 15 or 30 days after notice| Deadline extensions if weekend
File Protest| Submit written protest online/mail/in person| Online portals preferred
Gather Evidence| Comparable sales, property condition, market| Photos, sales data, expert opinions
Informal Meeting| Optional discussion with appraiser| May help settle without hearing
Formal Hearing| Present your case to ARB| Prepare organized evidence
Receive Decision| ARB rules on your protest| Possible further appeals

By following these steps carefully and preparing strong evidence, you can effectively protest your property tax assessment and potentially reduce your tax burden