At O’Connor, we understand that
property owners often feel overwhelmed when they receive a high property tax
appraisal. Fortunately, there is a formal property
tax appeals process designed to give you the right
to dispute your property tax assessment and potentially lower your tax bill.
This guide walks you through each step with clarity, from your first contact
with the appraisal district to a final Judicial
appeal or to the State
Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
if
necessary.
What Is the Property Tax Appeals Process?
The
property tax appeals process is a structured set of steps that allows property
owners to challenge the value placed on their property by a local appraisal
district. In Texas and many other states, this process is part of the broader
property tax protest process, which begins with filing a notice of protest and
continues through various hearings and possible reviews.
Step
1: Filing a Property Tax Protest
The
property
tax protest process begins
with submitting a notice of protest to your local
appraisal district. This is your formal
declaration that you disagree with the assessed value or tax outcome. Once your
protest is accepted, you will be given the opportunity to present your case. In
some areas, protest filing is done online, while in others it may require
mailing or hand-delivery of forms.
Step 2: Informal Hearing – The First Review
An
Informal hearing is a preliminary step in the property tax appeals process.
It’s designed to be less formal and less intimidating than subsequent hearings,
giving you a chance to discuss your case with an appraiser from the appraisal
district.
What Happens at an Informal Hearing
·
Present supporting evidence —
such as comparable sales, income analysis, or property condition details — to
show why the current assessed value is incorrect.
·
Engage in open dialogue with an
appraiser who reviews your materials and responds with their evaluation.
·
Reach a possible agreement. If
you and the appraiser settle on a new value during this step, the protest
process concludes and you generally cannot move forward to ARB or higher
levels.
While an informal
hearing may seem less intimidating,
preparation is key — bringing documentation that clearly supports your claims
increases your chances of success.
Step 3: Appraisal Review Board (ARB) Hearing
If
you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Informal hearing, the next stage
is the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. This is a more formal hearing
conducted before a panel of board members who review your evidence and the
appraisal district’s evidence.
How ARB Hearings Work
·
You and representatives from the
appraisal district will present testimony and documentation.
·
The ARB panel listens to both
sides before making a binding decision on the property
value for that tax year.
If you are still dissatisfied after an ARB hearing,
you have a few remaining options — including referring your case to a neutral
administrative judge or taking legal action.
Step 4: Judicial Appeal & State Office of
Administrative Hearings
When
disputes continue beyond ARB, homeowners and property owners can pursue either
a Judicial appeal in district court or, in many states, elevate the dispute to
the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).
Judicial Appeal
·
This is a formal lawsuit filed
in civil court to challenge the appraisal district’s final determination.
·
You may present legal and
factual arguments to support your case.
Why the Appeal Process Matters
Calling
for a review through the property tax appeals process can result in significant
tax savings if your property is overvalued. The process gives you a structured
way to present evidence, challenge assumptions, and seek a fair valuation.
At O’Connor, we support property owners throughout every phase of the property
tax protest and appeals journey — from the first notice
of protest through Informal hearings, ARB hearings, Judicial appeals, and
appeals to the State Office of Administrative Hearings if needed
To know more about us, visit https://www.poconnor.com/property-tax-appeals/
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#Informalhearing
#Judicialappeal
#StateOfficeofAdministrativeHearings
#propertytaxprotestprocess
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