Frequently Asked Questions
- When will I receive my Value Notice from the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD)?
- When is the deadline to file a property tax protest?
- My neighbor told me they didn’t file on time, but still were allowed to file a property tax protest. How did they do that?
- What’s up with the strict deadlines?
- If I submit a property tax protest request through your website, how long will I have to wait to hear the outcome?
- I submitted my property tax protest request through your website, but I want to talk to you about my property. Can I do that?
- My house needs a lot of repairs. Is that considered at all during the hearing?
- Can they increase my value at the hearing?
- I refinanced last year, is this going to be a problem?
- I filed my own property tax protest, but I don’t want to do the hearing. Will you take my case?
- I did the Automated Market Review and accepted a settlement, but I’ve changed my mind, what now?
When will I receive my Value Notice from the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD)?
Generally, on or about April 15 of the Tax Year at issue. If TAD did not increase your value, you will not receive a Value Notice, but that does not mean you cannot protest your property value. The Firm recommends protesting your property value every year to keep your values in check.
When is the deadline to file a property tax protest?
Generally, May 15 of the Tax Year at issue, or 30 days from the date reflected on your Value Notice, but check your Value Notice for your particular deadline. Some property owners are not notified at the same time as others and will have a later deadline. Adhering to your deadlines is important, so if you need help determining your deadline, please call the Firm.
My neighbor told me they didn’t file on time, but still were allowed to file a property tax protest. How did they do that?
Some property owners may qualify to file a late property tax protest for a number of reasons. The most-commonly filed property tax protests that are technically filed late, but considered timely, are those filed under the 1/4-over appraised value or 1/3-over appraised value statutes. In other cases, property owners are notified late, resulting in a later deadline to file. If you think you have a case, contact the Firm to explore your options.
What’s up with the strict deadlines?
Deadlines are in place due to the massive volume of properties in Tarrant County that must be assigned a value before the appraisal rolls and tax rolls are certified. You will make your life a lot easier and have a better chance at a successful property tax protest if you adhere to the deadlines.
If I submit a property tax protest request through your website, how long will I have to wait to hear the outcome?
Hearings are scheduled by Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) and the Firm does not have any control over the scheduling. Once hearings start, the Firm will be in back-to-back hearings every Monday–Saturday, until the hearing docket is complete.
I submitted my Property Tax Protest request through your website, but I want to talk to you about my property. Can I do that?
Absolutely. You know your property better than anyone. The more information you can give the Firm about your property, the better. You can schedule a designated conference call time, with Ms. Lowery Gallagher between May 17–May 24, 2023 to discuss your property. After you have registered, email the Firm to request a call at [email protected].
Before May 17, 2023, the Firm is focused on client intake and ensuring clients’ Notices of Protest are complete and filed timely. However, the Firm will be available to answer any quick questions about becoming a client or clarifying the property tax protest process. CLICK HERE to request a Free Cursory Review.
After May 24, 2023, the Firm is focused on building client cases, which is the Firm’s top priority. So, if you are a client and you would like to discuss the particulars of your property, be sure to schedule your one-on-one call after you register online.
My house needs a lot of repairs. Is that considered at all during the hearing?
Yes. Condition of the property is considered. Historically, TAD and the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) would credit the property owner with a dollar-for-dollar reduction in value if the property owner could produce pictures of the repairs needed, along with bids for repairs on big-ticket items (e.g. roof, drainage, foundation, etc.), so long as those bids were dated within the last year.
However, in the last several years, I’ve observed that TAD and the ARB have not been as willing to reduce values due to needed repairs, so it’s not a sure bet.
It is important to note that value are determined as of January 1st of the Tax Year at issue; repairs made prior to January 1st will not be considered.
That being said, if your home is in need of repair and you have pictures and bids to support that assertion, please do send that information to the Firm. The Firm accepts and includes in the client file all pictures and bids submitted to the Firm by property owners, so long as it’s submitted no later than May 26, 2023.
After May 26, 2023, the Firm cannot guarantee that the information will be processed in time.
Can they increase my value at the hearing?
No.
I refinanced last year, is this going to be a problem?
Refinancing, in and of itself, does not present a problem. However, if you obtained an appraisal during the refinance process indicating a lower value than your proposed value, that appraisal could potentially help your case.
It’s important that you submit all property information to me (no later than May 26, 2023), because things like appraisals can also reveal other errors that TAD may have on file, such as square-footage errors or the existence or non-existence of structures, etc.
I filed my own property tax protest, but I don’t want to do the hearing. Will you take my case?
The Firm accepts these on a case-by-case basis. The 2.4% reduction guarantee does not apply to these cases.
I did the Automated Market Review and accepted a settlement, but I’ve changed my mind, what now?
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do. A settlement value is binding for the value year at issue.
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This is not intended to be legal advice or a substitute for legal advice, nor is it intended to deter you from contacting the Firm with your questions. If you have questions, do not hesitate to reach out!
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