The History Of Unequal Appraisal And What That Means For YOU!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT UNEQUAL APPRAISAL IS AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR FIGHT FOR FAIR TAXES?

*Its ok! We didn’t either at first! 🙂

BACKGROUND OF UNEQUAL APPRAISAL

During the 1997 legislative session, major changes were made to the Texas Property Tax Code. One of the reforms was the right to appeal property taxes based on unequal appraisal. Harris County Appraisal District chose to VIGOROUSLY OPPOSE this provision of the tax code. (SHOCKER!)

Appealing based on unequal appraisal is BENEFICIAL because it allows an owner to reduce the taxes even if the property is assessed for much less than the market value.

In the past, appraisal districts wanted a VERY COMPLICATED process to hear cases of unequal appraisal which was EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to prepare. The new approach also made judicial appeals financially feasible and effective.

WHY AREN’T PROPERTIES ASSESSED EQUALLY TO BEGIN WITH?

You may be wondering why properties aren’t assessed equally.

Some reasons include:

Data errors
Focusing only on recent sales
VARIATIONS in the informal and ARB hearings.

Since the appraisal district tracks over 1.4 million real property accounts in Harris County, it is unrealistic to expect all of the data to be accurate.

AT THIS POINT, YOU ARE PROBABLY THINKING “THIS SOUNDS GREAT! HOW CAN I USE IT TO MY ADVANTAGE?”

First and foremost: File An Appeal Annually.
According to the Texas Comptroller, last year 2/3 of appeals were successful.

**On the Notice of Protest form, you must select a reason(s) for your appeal. Be sure to check the boxes for both market value and unequal appraisal.

Here’s what to do to prepare for your hearing:

Prepare for your hearing(s) by gathering the comparable home sales in your area. If you own a commercial property, you will need to create an income analysis. In addition, review the assessment for your property as well as the assessments for competing or similar properties.
Consider the level of assessment for approximately 5 to 15 similar properties and summarize the data in a spreadsheet.
To determine negotiating parameters, begin with setting the lower limit (of assessed value) that is reasonable to request and conclude by setting the highest level of assessment you will accept for the year under appeal (without continuing the appeal process to the ARB and judicial appeal level).
You should present information on both market value and unequal appraisal at the informal, and, if necessary, ARB hearings .

Are you a victim of unequal appraisal? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. Also, check out our PROPERTY FAIRNESS CHECKER! It’s FREE !

Why are Property Taxes in Texas so High for Homes?

1. Texas does not have a state income tax, so property taxes are the main source of local government funding. This often results in higher-than-expected property tax bills for homeowners. 2. You could be paying unfair or inflated taxes and not even know it. Property assessments can be inaccurate or inflated. Thankfully, we are here to help you with these issues. How O’Connor Helps Homeowners Across Texas: We specialize in residential property tax reductions by identifying inaccurate assessments and filing appeals on your behalf. Learn more at https://www.poconnor.com/residential/ #homepropertytaxes #residentialpropertytax #propertytaxesintexas #Texashomepropertytaxes #hometaxesintexas

Cook County Residential Property Tax Reduction Made Simple

Managing Cook County Illinois real estate taxes can be overwhelming, especially with rising assessments that often feel inaccurate or unfair. Fortunately, O’Connor offers a specialized service to help homeowners file a Cook County property tax appeal with confidence. Their proven strategy combines in-depth market analysis, property valuation reviews, and knowledge of local tax laws to identify opportunities for meaningful savings. Even if you have never filed before, O’Connor makes the process straightforward—handling research, paperwork, and negotiations on your behalf. This not only saves you time but also maximizes your chance of success. Whether your concern is affordability, fairness, or simply reducing unnecessary expenses, initiating a Cook County property tax protest with O’Connor ensures you have experts in your corner fighting for the lowest lawful tax burden.Take the first step toward lowering your property taxes today—visit https://www.poconnor.com/illinois/cook-count...

Effective Texas Property Tax Protest Guide by O’Connor

If you're looking to lower your property taxes in Texas, understanding how to protest property taxes is crucial. The process involves reviewing your appraisal notice carefully for errors or overvaluations, filing a written protest with your county appraisal district, and gathering strong evidence such as comparable sales, photos, and repair estimates to support your claim. You can attend informal meetings or formal hearings with the appraisal review board, and if necessary, appeal further. Texas property tax protests are essential for ensuring your property is assessed fairly, and expert help is available to guide you through this process. Learn the step-by-step procedure and how professionals handle all aspects of your case to maximize your savings. To get detailed guidance on how to protest property taxes in Texas and potentially reduce your financial burden, visit https://www.poconnor.com/how-to-protest-property-taxes/. Make sure to leverage expert assistance and timely action...

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