Thinking about protesting your property taxes but aren’t sure where to start?
Here is our step-by-step guide.
Know your numbers: DCAD’s market value is a combination of their appraisal of both your land and improvements (house, pool, etc.). Look at both values to see if either one appears to be out of line with the market.
Do your research: Ask a trusted real estate advisor to send you a list of homes similar to yours that have sold in the last year. In general, homes should be similar in age, condition and size.
Document the differences: After reviewing the data, realistically assess if your home is overvalued in comparison to those that have recently sold. If so, put together a spreadsheet listing the difference between the valuation of your home and those sales. Photograph any items that make your home less desirable than the properties used as comparable sales (outdated bathroom/kitchen, exterior/deferred maintenance issues, etc.)
File your protest online: DCAD makes it incredibly easy to protest your taxes online. Choose the uFile Online Protest link on your property’s appraisal page. Follow the step by step instructions online to submit your opinion of value of the property. You will need to upload documents to support your opinion of value (I suggest putting all of your documents into one pdf and adding notes to the pdf for an appraiser’s review).
Once you complete the uFile process, the website will tell you if you are eligible for a settlement offer or not. If you ARE eligible, this offer will come via email after an appraiser has reviewed your opinion of value and documentation (in the meantime, you may get a notice of your hearing date to protest the appraised value). If you agree with this value, you can accept it online and no further action is required on your part. If you are NOT eligible for a settlement offer, you will receive a notice of your hearing date in the mail. Note that you can meet with an appraiser for an informal hearing at any time prior to your hearing date.
Learn more about the DCAD Protest Process
If you would like for the Heather Guild Group to send you a list of homes similar to yours that have sold in the last year for comparison purposes, please let us know. hgg@compass.com
Last, but not least, the LAST day to file a protest is May 15th!