Every year about this time, property owners receive their property tax valuation notices and decide whether or not they should appeal the assessed value. The process involves a little bit of leg work and some preparation, but for many property owners it is well worth the savings. If you aren’t familiar with the process and would like to learn more about it, the following information will serve as a general guideline and provide answers to frequently asked questions.
When do I receive my property valuation? What is the deadline to appeal?
The County Appraisal Districts (TCAD) usually begins mailing property valuations mid-April of each year. Homeowners have until May 31, or 30 days from the date the appraisal district mailed your notice, whichever is later.
I didn’t receive my notice of value…why?
In an effort to increase efficiencies and reduce costs to tax payers in 2015, TCAD mailed a Notice of Appraised Value to either the owner or the owner’s agent of record. Notices will no longer be mailed to both. Your current value information is also available at traviscad.org, or you may request a copy of the notice that was sent to your agent by contacting customer service at 512-834-9138 or email [email protected]. Be sure to have your account number handy as they will ask for it.
Should I appeal my property valuation?
If the market value on your home is lower than your tax-assessed value, you should appeal. If the market value is higher than your tax-asessed value, you should not appeal.
How To Appeal Your Property Taxes
If you believe your property valuation is higher than the current market value, you should consider appealing your taxes. When property owners do not appeal, the appraisal district assumes that their value is correct, which ultimately affects all homeowners in a given area. By appealing the assessed value, we keep our appraisal district valuations in line with market values.
A protest form is included on the reverse side of your appraised value notice for your convenience, or you may download the form here.
The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will start hearings on or around June 1. Fifteen days prior to your hearing, you will receive a letter from the ARB notifying you of the date, time and place of your hearing.
How do I prepare for a protest hearing?
There will be helpful information and advice included with your notice of protest hearing letter. The appraisal district website is also a good resource to use in preparing for your hearing, as are the appraisal district offices. If you visit the offices, you can obtain copies of any information the chief appraiser plans to introduce at your hearing.
Additional tips:
Be on time for your hearing
Stick to the facts of your presentation
Keep it simple and organized
Present key facts and not emotional arguments
Click on the links below for more information about protesting your tax appraisal:
Hays County
Travis County
Williamson County
Please let us know if we can help answer any other questions about this process. Additionally, there are companies who specialize in assisting with property tax protests, so let us know if you would like to receive additional information on them.
