๐ Houston Area Property Tax Protest Guide
๐ Timing & Deadlines:
- Appraisal notices are usually mailed out by early April.
- Deadline to file a protest: May 15, 2025, or 30 days after your notice is sent โ whichever is later.
- Key tip: Even if you plan to hire help, file your protest early to protect your right to negotiate later.
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Best Way to Protest Effectively:
- File Online Quickly
- Gather Evidence
- Recent comparable sales (comps). Reach out to me here for this.
- Photos of property defects (roof issues, cracks, outdated interiors).
- Previous year’s appraisal if it was lower and youโve made no major improvements.
- Informal Meeting First
- After filing, schedule an informal review. Many cases settle at this stage with a simple evidence packet.
- Formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) Hearing
- If not settled informally, attend the formal hearing. Present your evidence concisely and professionally.
๐ The Pros:
(These are well-known and generally have solid reputations locally.)
๐ข Note: Most companies only charge a percentage of your savings โ no reduction, no fee. Be sure homeowners read the fine print.
๐ฏ Reasonable Expectations:
During the Process:
- Patience โ HCAD and other county appraisal offices are overwhelmed each spring.
- Online Negotiations โ Some informal reviews can be done completely online.
- Evidence is Everything โ The stronger your evidence, the better your chances.
Outcome Expectations:
- Reductions are common but not guaranteed.
- Average reductions range from 5% to 15% off the appraised value, depending on the evidence.
- Even a small reduction can lead to significant long-term tax savings.
Quick Homeowner Reminder:
๐ Even if your value doesnโt seem โcrazy high,โ it’s still smart to protest every year.
Over time, keeping your taxable value lower can make a BIG difference.
