Protesting Your Property Taxes | Protesting Taxes in Texas | The Bly Team | 281-823-5775

Protesting Your Property Taxes | Protesting Taxes in Texas | The Bly Team | 281-823-5775 

Protesting Your Property Taxes

If you’re like me you don’t want to have to pay more money in taxes that you need to. Not that I’m not happy to pay my fair share… just not more.

There are several reasons to dispute your tax values beyond the usual "That value is too high". You may find that your home is smaller than what the county records have you taxed at. Your house may be in below average condition. Your neighborhood like many others right now could be experiencing a decline and now your market value is below what the county is taxing you at. Whatever the reason, the process for protesting your tax assessment typically goes as follows:

Around the March/April time frame appraisal notices for property taxes for the Clear Lake Area of Harris and Galveston counties are mailed out. When these arrive they will have the proposed market value and estimate of new property taxes for your home. The central appraisal district (CAD) uses market values of comparable properties to determine your home value. This process is a mass approach and the individual value assessed to your home may not accurate. 

If you think your appraisal is incorrect then you may want to file an appeal:

You have 30 days from the date of your notice or May 31st whichever is later to schedule an interview with an appraiser.

Request a copy of the comps used by the CAD to determine your home's market value.

Once the taxing district has received your protest they will schedule an "informal hearing" in which you will meet with one of the appraisal district's staff appraisers to state the reason for your appeal.

Gather your documentation and opinion of value including photos of your home and other comparable sold properties on or around your street and any descriptions of maintenance or structural problems the home may have along with repair estimates since these reduce your value (fences, paint, roofing, etc. cannot be used).

At the interview explain the differences between your home and the comps.

If after presenting your information at the interview, you are not satisfied with the result, you may appeal to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

If you would like more information contact: The Galveston County Appraisal District

www.galvestoncad.org   (866) 277-4725

9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Ste. A, Texas City, TX 77591 (old Wal-Mart Building)

If you need help gathering sold comparable properties contact us and we will be happy to assist you in your efforts.

Deborah Bly / The Bly Team – RE/MAX Space Center – 281-823-5775 – deb@agentbly.com

If you have any questions regarding any homes for sale, or would like to schedule a tour of any real estate, residential or commercial in the Clear Lake Bay Area, please do not hesitate to call Deborah, Sandra, or Yasir of The Bly Team : 281-823-5775.