Texas taxpayers are often uncertain how to prepare for their property tax protest hearing. This posting provides basic tips.

1. File a protest on both market value and unequal appraisal.
2. Request the "House Bill 201" or 41.461 package. This is the appraisal district's evidence for the hearing.
3. Review the appraisal district's description of your property. They refer to it as a "record card".

The record card has extensive information regarding your house or commercial property. Appraisal districts compile this information for hundreds of thousands of properties. Given the volume of records and fields of data, a substantial amount of the information is incorrect. Documenting these errors can reduce your property taxes for the current and future years.

4. Review the appraisal district's comparable sales data in the House Bill 201 package.
5. Select several sales which are similar to your home and support a lower value.

The definition of a "comparable" sale is impossible to define precisely. If you live in a home in a large subdivision with a large number of homogeneous houses, the comparable should be very similar to your house. If your house has 10,000 square feet and there are only 20 houses in the county with more than 7,000 square feet, much more latitude in selecting comparables is necessary.

6. Review the appraisal district's evidence on unequal appraisal.
7. Research assessment comparables

You should be able to research assessment comparables on the internet. If not, you can obtain the information at the appraisal district's office. Focus on properties which are similar with regard to location, size, age and condition. Five to 10 assessment comparables should be adequate.

8. Gather information regarding deferred maintenance or repairs needed for your house.
9. Determine whether market value or unequal appraisal is your best option for protesting.
10. Prepare a summary of your analysis and make 4 copies (in addition to the original).

Suggested comments - What else have you found helpful in preparing for your property tax protest?

 

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