To Protest or Not To Protest... That is the Question...

Call or check online to make sure your date has been set.  There is a long list of homeowners and business owners who will be protesting their property taxes.  So, if you're date has not been set yet, no fear - your time will come... for the first protest hearing. 

The initial protest is an informal one done by a HCAD employee.  They really try to work with you... well depending who is assigned to your file.  Some try harder than others.  Do not feel obligated to agree with their adjusted value on your property appraisal.  You can (and I suggest you do) request a second hearing.... the formal hearing.  Note: Once you request a formal protest, the adjusted value presented to you at the informal is no longer an option.  Meaning, the informal protest may be the better "deal."  It is a gamble, to forgo the amount presented to you at this hearing.  Only go on to the formal protest IF you feel like you are willing to gamble and take a chance on having an even lower amount present to you at the formal hearing.

If you decide to forfeit the informal protest value, be ready for the Formal Protest! Once you request a formal hearing, you will receive a letter in the mail as to the date and time of your protest.  A formal protest incorporates three members of the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), one HCAD employee and you (the property owner).  At your hearing, you will be sworn in and asked to give your opinion as to your property's appraisal amount.  You will then be given a specific amount of time to give your testimony and evidence to the review board and to the HCAD employee.  You must have five sets of copies... one for each review board member in your hearing (3), one for the HCAD employee and one for you to refer to as you are admitting it as evidence. Keep your statements short and simple and to the point (you are being timed)! Once your time is up, the review board may/may not ask you questions.  Then, the HCAD employee will have a turn at giving their testimony as to how their appraisal amount is better than yours.  Do not take HCAD's testimony personal... it's what they do.  The ARB will review your evidence and HCAD's evidence at which point they will decide who to side with - you or HCAD.  There are no guarantees.  What the ARB says is FINAL.  More often, the ARB will find a middle of the road appraisal amount that is often better than the amount that was given at the informal hearing but may not be as good as your opinion of the value.

So....

What is EVIDENCE?

Anything you deem necessary to getting your point across:

Photos of flooding yard/street/bayou

Photos of foundation issues (outside and inside)

Photos of areas of your home that has not been updated with the "bells and whistles" of granite counter tops, wood floors, etc...

Sex Offenders List (https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/SexOffender/)

Home repair quotes (recent)

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from your friendly Realtor

Further questions, go to:

www.hcad.org