How to appeal your property assessment

Property tax assessments are used to determine how much property taxes you will owe based on various assessment variables. Sometimes filing can help lower your taxes, especially if your taxes have increased significantly. However, you must prove that your home is worth less than what the appraiser originally estimated. 

To successfully appeal your property tax, you need to follow specific national standards. First, your county board of assessment will send you a “Notice of Assessed Value,” which usually comes in the spring. This information will explain the appraised value of your current property and the deadline for filing an appeal. 

The typical effective date in Texas is May 15 or 30 days after the Board of Investigation receives your report, whichever is later. To initiate an appeal, you must file a notice of objection with the Assessment Review Board (ARB) on Form 50-132, Property Owner’s Notice of Protest (available on the Texas Comptroller’s website). 

Include all pertinent information, such as property numbers, the grounds for the objectin, and the conclusions you wish to draw. Prepare for your hearing by filing a written objection and gathering evidence to support your case. This may include sales estimates of similar properties, photographs, and estimates for the repair of any damaged properties. 

You may also obtain copies of evidence that the Investigating Committee wishes to use during the hearing. When the hearing date arrives, please present your evidence clearly to the ARB. If you are unable to attend in person, you can represent yourself, hire an estate tax professional, or submit by telephone or by written affidavit.