Protest Resources

The Tarrant County Appraisal District (TAD) is responsible for determining the assessed value of all taxable properties in Tarrant County, Texas. Here is a comprehensive guide to the TAD:

‍

• What is the TAD? The Tarrant County Appraisal District is an independent entity responsible for appraising all taxable property in Tarrant County, including real estate, personal property, and mineral rights.
• What does the TAD do? The TAD determines the value of properties in Tarrant County for tax purposes, maintains property records, and handles appeals and protests related to property assessments.
• How does the TAD assess property values? The TAD uses a variety of methods to determine the value of properties in Tarrant County, including sales comparison, cost, and income approaches.
• How can I find my property value? You can find your property value on the TAD website by entering your property’s address or account number. The website also provides information on recent sales of comparable properties and property tax rates.
• Can I protest my property value with the TAD? Yes, property owners in Tarrant County have the right to protest their property value with the TAD. The deadline to file a protest is May 31st or 30 days after the appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later.
• How can I file a protest with the TAD? You can file a protest online, by mail, or in person. To file a protest, you will need to provide information about your property and the reasons for your protest.
• What happens after I file a protest? After you file a protest, the TAD will review your evidence and may schedule a hearing to further review your case. If the TAD determines that your assessed value is too high, they may reduce your assessed value, which could lower your property tax bill.
• How can I contact the TAD? You can contact the Tarrant County Appraisal District by phone at (817) 284-0024 or visit their website at www.tad.org for more information on property assessments, protests, and appeals.

‍

It’s important to note that the property assessment and protest process can be complex, and it may be helpful to work with a property tax consultant or a tax professional who can provide guidance and assistance throughout the process.

‍

You are not committed beyond the current year.  You can terminate Property Tax Protest at any time except between April 1 and September 30 of the then current year.  To terminate Property Tax Protest’s authorization you can submit to your appraisal district Texas Comptroller’s Form 50-813 (“Revocation of Appointment of Agent for Property Tax Matters”).  It’s available here; or you can Google it.

‍

You can either mail the completed form to your appraisal district (address available online) or email it to your district at the appropriate address below:

‍

Tarrant aoa@tad.org       with copy (please) to:  info@propertytaxprotest.com

Dallas                             with copy (please) to:  info@propertytaxprotest.com

Collin

Denton

Travis

Williamson

Harris

Fort Bend

Williamson

‍

However, we find that those who stay with us over the long term save substantially because reductions in the current year carry over to future years and the benefits compound annually.  Also, since Property Tax Protest files automatically for its clients, the opportunity to protest each year doesn’t get overlooked.

‍

Signing up with Property Tax Protest is like an insurance policy with no advance premium.  If there’s no reduction there’s no fee.  It’s risk free.

If the capped value of your property is less than the market value. There are still several reasons why you should consider protesting:

‍

• Capped value can still be high: Even if your property’s capped value is lower than its market value, it is still possible that the capped value is higher than it should be. This could be due to errors in the appraisal or other factors.
• If as a result of the protest the market value reduction is to a value lower than  the capped value, then the cap will disappear and you will have saved money in the year of the protest.
• If as a result of the protest the market value reduction is to a value higher than the capped value, then your savings will be deferred to a future year (and your fee to Property Tax Protest will be reduced by half to 0.5%) 

• Future increases: If you don’t protest and your property’s market value continues to increase, your capped value will also increase by 10% each year until it reaches your market value.  By controlling market value now you reduce future increases in your capped value.
• Fairness: Even if your capped value is currently lower than your market value, you may still feel that the assessment is unfair or inaccurate. By protesting, you can make sure that your assessment is as accurate and fair as possible.  

‍

Keep in mind that the process for protesting your property tax assessment can be complex, so you may want to consider working with a tax professional or a property tax consultant to help you through the process. Tax professionals like Property Tax Protest have a higher success rate than owners who represent themselves.

The success rate of property tax protests in Texas varies depending on a number of factors, such as the quality and strength of evidence presented, the reason for the protest, and the specific appraisal district in question. 

‍

According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, approximately 43% of property owners who protest their market values and appear at their scheduled ARB hearing are successful in obtaining a lower value and, consequently, a lower tax bill. But owners who protest their own property values have a significantly higher rate of failure to appear for their hearing and a lower rate of success at their hearing than do those who use agents. Last year, Property Tax Protest had an 83% success rate in obtaining market value reductions for our clients.  

‍

However, success rates can vary significantly by region and even by individual appraisal district. For example, some appraisal districts may be more open to reducing appraised values than others, and some regions may have more competitive real estate markets or higher property values, making it more difficult to successfully protest appraisals.

‍

It’s important to note that the protest process in Texas can be complex, and it may be helpful to seek the service of a professional, such as Property Tax Protest, to handle the entire process and provide consultancy specific to your property.

In Texas, certain home improvements can increase your property taxes. Here are some examples:

‍

• Home additions: Adding square footage to your home, such as by building an addition, can increase the assessed value of your property and, as a result, increase your property taxes.
• Significant renovations: If you undertake significant renovations to your home, such as remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or replacing the roof, these improvements can increase the assessed value of your property and raise your property taxes.
• Swimming pools and outdoor living spaces: Adding features to your property such as a swimming pool or an outdoor kitchen or living area can increase your home’s value and, in turn, increase your property taxes.
• Energy-efficient upgrades: While energy-efficient upgrades such as solar panels or energy-efficient windows can lower your energy bills and potentially make your home more attractive to buyers, they can also increase the assessed value of your property and lead to higher property taxes.

It’s important to note that not all home improvements will necessarily increase your property taxes, and the amount by which your taxes may increase will depend on various factors, including the value of your home and the specific improvement you make. If you have questions about how a particular home improvement might impact your property taxes, you can contact your local county appraisal district for more information.

In Texas, a homestead exemption is a legal provision that helps protect a homeowner’s primary residence from creditors and may reduce the amount of property taxes owed on the property. Here are some important things to know about Texas homestead exemptions:

Eligibility: To qualify for a homestead exemption in Texas, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1st of the year in which you are applying for the exemption.

Types of exemptions: There are several types of homestead exemptions in Texas, including the general homestead exemption, the over-65 exemption, the disabled person exemption, and the disabled veteran exemption. Each exemption has its own eligibility requirements and maximum exemption amount.

Applying for an exemption: To apply for a homestead exemption in Texas, you will need to complete an application with your county appraisal district. The deadline to apply is usually April 30th, although some counties may have a different deadline.

Benefits of an exemption: A homestead exemption can provide several benefits, including protection from creditors and a reduction in property taxes. The general homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of your home by up to $25,000 for school district taxes, while the over-65 and disabled person exemptions can provide additional reductions.

Transferability: If you sell your homestead property and purchase a new primary residence in Texas, you may be able to transfer your homestead exemption to the new property.

It’s important to note that while a homestead exemption can reduce the amount of property taxes owed on your home, it does not eliminate property taxes altogether. If you have questions about whether you are eligible for a homestead exemption or how to apply, you can contact your county appraisal district for more information.

In Texas, the 10% homestead cap is a limit on the amount that taxable value can increase for a primary residence in any one year. The homestead cap limits the increase in the taxable value of a home to 10% of the previous year’s market or capped value, whichever is less.
Here’s an example to illustrate how it works: Let’s say that in 2022, your home was appraised at $300,000. In 2023, the most your home’s taxable (also called “assessed” or “capped”) value can increase is 10% of that amount, which is $30,000.  So, in 2023, your home’s taxable value can be no more than $330,000. The following year it can increase another 10% to $363,000. There is no limit on the market value to which your home can increase. 
Your home’s capped value will never exceed your home’s market value. Therefore, it is important to contest your market value each year since that sets an upper limit on your taxable (or capped) value. Those who ignore protesting because their current year taxable value is lower than their market value will eventually pay a higher property tax than those who successfully control their market value by protesting annually. Property Tax Protest protests for its clients annually regardless of market vs. capped value. If the resulting reduced market value is still above the property’s capped value then the fee due to Property Tax Protest is discounted by half to 0.5% of the market value reduction in recognition that the benefit of the lower market value may be deferred to a future year.  Here’s how that works:
For example, if the Proposed Market Value is $525,000 and PTP obtains a Reduced Market Value of $475,000, then the fee would be $500, being 1.0% of the Reduction.   
However, if Owner’s Assessed (or Homestead Capped) Value is less than the value to which PTP has reduced its Market Value then the fee shall be reduced by half to 0.5% of the Reduction.  For example, if the Proposed Market Value is $525,000 and PTP obtains a Reduced Market Value of $475,000 but the Assessed (or Homestead Capped) value is less than $475,000, then the fee would be $250, being 0.5% of the Reduction.
It’s important to note that the homestead cap only applies to a homeowner’s primary residence, which means that investment properties and vacation homes are not eligible for the exemption.
Additionally, the homestead cap does not limit the total amount of property tax a homeowner must pay. If the tax rate increases, the amount of property tax owed can still increase, even if the taxable value of the home remains the same.