Deadline to Protest Property Tax is May 15 !!

The deadline to protest your property tax is May 15, 2018 instead of May 31, as in the past.  It's necessary to fight escalating property taxes anyway possible win or lose. It might be worthwhile to protest whether you think your property is overvalued or undervalued. Sometimes, it is luck, however, try to rely on compelling evidence in support of your protest. If there is anything wrong with your house whether roof, plumbing, A/C, electrical, foundation, change in zoning regarding flooding or any relevant information should be gathered and presented preferably with pictures and estimates. Without proof such as pictures and estimates, you have no ground to stand on. The repairs must be material, not broken fence post, peeling paint, loose tile etc.

Before you go gather your data and if possible get the evidence the appraisal district data used in assessing your property or the evidence that they will use against you. Most counties do their appraisal of property values at the beginning of the year or in January and ask them for their data. You can go on protest on your own or hire someone or a company to represent you.  

If you have any needed future repairs get an estimate and take it with you. Sometimes you can persuasively argue by saying that there was no justification in raising property value in the area, unlike the usual argument to say my property is overvalued on market or/and equity basis. Unfortunately, some board members and county appraisers get overzealous and go over board or reach the wrong conclusion about property value.

In real estate, it is location, location, and location, so if they compare your house with higher valued properties in the some subdivision or neighborhoods you should highlight the difference.  Also if your home is on a busy street or backs into a commercial area or located in a less attractive part of a subdivision, you should us it to your advantage. You have the option of filing online or sending your protest via mail. The deadline to file a protest is May 15, 2018.

Note: past repairs may not give you any advantages. So use needed repairs s or existing problems with supporting evidence such as pictures and estimates to make your case for a reduction in value. If you fail to get a fair hearing or a reasonable settlement from the appraisal board, you still have an option to ask for arbitration or go to court to fight back. Warning: The deadline to file a protest high property taxes is May 15.

To get additional help in your fight to lower your property taxes and protect your assets visit: contact #s, Harris County: 713-957-7800 Brazoria County: 979-549-0828 Fort bend Country: 281-344-8623