Should I Hire Property Tax Experts to Protest My Property Taxes?

 Here’s what you need to know about hiring property tax experts:

• You can protest your property taxes by doing it all yourself or by hiring a professional company.
• Protesting on your own involves multiple steps, can be time-consuming, stressful, and may not always lead to your desired tax savings.
• While working with professionals cannot guarantee a reduction, it can reduce your stress and increase your chances of a successful protest.
• Gill, Denson & Company is a team of property tax experts ready to handle your protest on your behalf, seeking the best possible result.

Should I Hire Property Tax Experts or Protest My Property Taxes Myself?

Whenever property tax season rolls around, it can be a source of distress for many homeowners. Did you know that you can protest the county’s appraisal value of your property? Doing this can potentially lower your tax bill, reducing your stress and leaving more money in your pocket each year.

There are two ways you can go about protesting your property taxes:

• Protesting your property taxes yourself (The DIY Approach)
• Hiring a property tax protest company (The Professional Approach)

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to each option, which we’ll outline for you below. Then, we’ll help you decide which option is right for your circumstances and how you can get started with us if you choose to work with property tax experts.

The DIY Approach: Protesting on Your Own

Protesting property taxes on your own involves the following steps:

1. Review the Notice of Appraised Value

First, you’ll need to review the Notice of Appraised Value sent to you by the County Appraisal District (CAD) or found on their website. Check it for any errors and ensure their assigned value of your property is accurate.

2. File a Notice of Protest with the County

If you believe the value is incorrect, you must file a notice of protest with the county by the deadline, typically May 15. Be sure to include the reason or reasons you are protesting, or you may forfeit your right to make certain arguments.

3. Gather Evidence for Your Case

Then, research and gather evidence to support your reason(s) for protesting and the value you believe is correct. This can be comparable sales, photo evidence of property damage, records of repair estimates, proof of exemptions, and any other relevant documents.

4. Attend a Hearing

You may be able to resolve matters in an informal hearing with the county appraiser. If not, you’ll need to present your case in a formal hearing with an independent Appraisal Review Board (ARB). These can be unfavorable to property owners. If your case is denied, you may be able to appeal in binding arbitration or judicial review. 

Pros of the DIY Approach:

• There is no direct cost for professional services (you’ll save money on fees).
• You have complete control over every step of the process.
• Learning more about the property tax system may be helpful in future protests.

Cons of the DIY Approach:

• It requires a lot of time researching laws and procedures, gathering evidence, and potentially attending multiple hearings.
• Navigating complex tax codes and appraisal district processes without prior experience can be challenging and may lead to a less favorable outcome or even a protest denial.
• Dealing with bureaucracy and potentially unfavorable hearings can be stressful.
• You may not have access to the same level of market data or comparable sales information as professionals.
• Mistakes in filing or evidence presentation can jeopardize your case.

The Professional Approach: Hiring Property Tax Experts

A property tax protest company handles the entire process on your behalf. Their property experts use their considerable knowledge, experience, and resources to achieve the best outcome for you.

Pros of Hiring a Professional:

• They handle all the research, paperwork, communications, and represent you at hearings, saving you both time and stress.
• Professionals deeply understand Texas property tax laws, local appraisal district procedures, and effective protest strategies.
• They often have access to specialized databases to find the best comparable properties and market data.
• Their experience in building strong cases and negotiating with appraisers can lead to a greater chance of a successful reduction.
• A more effective protest may result in a larger reduction in your appraised value, meaning greater tax savings.
• Professionals often receive a stronger offer than homeowners alone because they have more leverage from fighting property taxes every day.

Cons of Hiring a Professional:

• You will pay a fee for their services (often a percentage of the tax savings).
• You have less control and are entrusting the process to someone else, though reputable companies keep you informed.

Which Option Is Right for You?

If you’re still unsure which option is right for you, ask yourself these questions:

• How much time can you realistically dedicate to researching and managing the protest process?
• How much value do you place on saving time and reducing stress?
• Are you comfortable learning complex legal procedures and presenting a strong case?
• How complex is your property or the reason(s) for your protest?
• What are the potential tax savings you hope to achieve (based on your appraised value increase)?
• Do the potential savings outweigh the cost of hiring a professional?

If you feel overwhelmed by the process or are unsure how much time you can dedicate, you may want to work with property tax experts. At Gill, Denson & Company, we do everything we can to achieve the best possible results for you. Last year, we successfully helped more than 80% of our clients get a reduction in their tax appraisal. This year, that could be you!

Don’t let another property tax season go by with you paying more than your fair share. Get started with Gill, Denson & Company today, before the protest deadline approaches!