If you decide to protest your property taxes in Texas, your case will eventually go before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent group of citizens authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district.
Over the past several years, the Texas legislature has passed sweeping reforms to the property tax system (such as Senate Bill 2). The vast majority of these changes are extremely property owner and taxpayer-friendly, completely altering how formal protest hearings are conducted.
If you are heading into a formal hearing, it is vital to know your rights. Here are the key rules and protections designed to give you a fair fight against the county.
Taxpayers have the legal right to request the exact information the appraisal district intends to present at the hearing for no charge. (They used to charge up to $1 per page!). Always ask for this information. If you do, the district is legally prevented from using any surprise evidence against you during the hearing.
A common myth is that if you protest, the county might penalize you by raising your value even higher. Fear no more: the ARB cannot increase your value above the initial noticed value during a protest hearing. You have nothing to lose by protesting.
Appraisal districts are prohibited from scheduling formal ARB hearings on Sundays. Furthermore, they are legally prevented from holding hearings after 7:00 PM on all other days, ensuring the process is accessible during standard hours.
Do you own multiple properties or a commercial portfolio? You no longer have to keep coming back to the appraisal district for separate hearings. You can now request that up to 20 properties be heard consecutively on the exact same day.
In addition to hearing rules, recent legislation also changed how property tax disputes are handled in court. If an ARB decision is appealed, the law deleted the old provision that automatically gave preference to the opinions of an appraisal district employee over the taxpayer's evidence during a lawsuit.
While the rules are now more favorable to taxpayers, the burden of proof still rests on you. The ARB will only lower your value if you present compelling, market-backed evidence. This is why having a professional represent you at the hearing is crucial.
You do not have to face the appraisal district alone. PropertyTaxes.Law can gather the evidence, build your case, and argue on your behalf at the ARB hearing. We handle everything, and you pay no upfront fees.
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