📋 Houston Area Property Tax Protest Guide

🗓 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 — 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:

1. File Online Quickly
   • Use your county’s online portal (ex: Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD)) to submit your protest.
   • Select “incorrect market value” and/or “unequal appraisal” as your reason.
2. 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   • Photos of property defects (roof issues, cracks, outdated interiors).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 you’ve made no major improvements.
3. Informal Meeting First
   • After filing, schedule an informal review. Many cases settle at this stage with a simple evidence packet.
4. Formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) Hearing
   • If not settled informally, attend the formal hearing. Present your evidence concisely and professionally.

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🛠 The Pros:

(These are well-known and generally have solid reputations locally.)

• O’Connor & Associates — CutMyTaxes.com
• Texas ProTax — TexasProTax.com
• ReducePropertyTaxes.com — ReducePropertyTaxes.com
• Five Stone Tax Advisors — FiveStoneTax.com

📢 Note: Most companies only charge a percentage of your savings — no reduction, no fee. Be sure homeowners read the fine print.

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🎯 Reasonable Expectations:

During the Process:

• Patience — HCAD and other county appraisal offices are overwhelmed each spring.
• Online Negotiations — Some informal reviews can be done completely online.
• Evidence is Everything — 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.

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Quick Homeowner Reminder:

🔔 Even if your value doesn’t seem “crazy high,” it’s still smart to protest every year.
Over time, keeping your taxable value lower can make a BIG difference.