What you need to know about filing a property tax appraisal protest

BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – Property owners across the state are receiving their property tax appraisals in the mail.

This number determines what you’ll pay in property tax, but you have a right to protest the value. Texas does not have a state property tax rate, local agencies determine the rates based on the market value of your property.

Anyone can file a protest, but to successfully have your property value lowered, there needs to be proof it was overvalued.

Dana Horton, Chief Appraiser of the Brazos Central Appraisal District, said properties are not appraised one by one. Rather, they group together similar properties.

“When we value, we value on a very massive basis, so we value up a bunch of 1,998-2,000 square foot brick veneer homes that are similarly located,” Chief Appraiser Dana Horton said.

For this reason, things that lower the property value, like a cracked foundation, aren’t known until a protest is filed.

Horton said it’s easy to document, and recommends steps like taking pictures and providing closing documents from the sale of the home.

“Bring us that information so we can see similar type properties that have sold that we might not have that information. They could come in with damage on the inside that we’re not aware of,” she said.

Sherri Echols files a protest every single year, and uses her real estate background to help community members file theirs.

“If you are paying taxes and you’d like to pay less taxes, then this is the perfect opportunity,” Echols said.

You have 30 days from when the appraisal letter was mailed to file a notice of protest. One is included in the letter, or you can file online through the Brazos Central Appraisal District. After, you have the chance to meet with an appraiser to go over evidence of the property’s market value. This is an informal process, but Echols said she’s had the most luck pursuing this route.

“You agree to it, we agree to it, and then it’s done for the year,” Horton said.

If no informal agreement can be reached, you can appeal to the Appraisal Review Board for judgement. For either option, extensive documentation of the property’s market value is recommended.

“If your roof is in bad condition, you would want to get pictures of that and then a bid from a roofer,” Echols said.

The Notice of Protest is available to access below.

Property Owner Notice of Protest by KBTX on Scribd