- Why Hire Property Tax Protest in 2010?
- Property Tax Protest offers two shots at a reduction in the value on which your property taxes are based. We take no percentage and your risk is limited to the amount you pay up front
- Appraisal Review Board: We will seek a reduction from the ARB
- i. Under Value Above Market we can likely do better than you because we know what the Board members want and we have relevant data properly adjusted to their criteria.
- ii. Inequality is complicated but essentially means if your neighbors’ ratios of appraisal to market value are less than yours you get their ratio. It results in a further reduction – below Market Value. Those neighbors who qualify and protest get it; those who qualify and don’t protest pay more than their fair share.
- Arbitration: We will take the case to Arbitration if you don’t get the value we think you deserve from the ARB.
-
- Last year we succeeded in every case we took to Arbitration.
- i. Where the ARB ordered no reduction, we obtained reductions.
- ii. Where the ARB ordered reductions we obtained further reductions.
- i. You will invest the $500 deposit held by the State Comptroller but if your tax savings are less than that we’ll pay you the difference.
-
- We’ll structure Arbitration so there’s no risk to you.
-
- In other words, we won’t take a case we can’t win.
- Your tax savings will most likely survive for more than one year.
-
- In 2010 the Tax Code provides the Chief Appraiser may not increase a market value in the year following a successful protest “unless the increase is supported by substantial evidence.” The burden of proof is on the Chief Appraiser.
- Why now?
-
- Values appear ready to bottom out; waiting to 2011 could cost you the chance to get a reduction that survives multiple years.
- www.propertytaxprotest.com
- 469 449 9835
Texas Property Tax Tips
PROTEST ON YOUR OWN OR HIRE A CONSULTANT. EITHER WAY WE'LL HELP YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!
Arbitration: A Texas Taxpayer’s Last — and Best — Resort!
Arbitration can be even more productive than the Appraisal Review Board process — and the reductons larger — because it’s an uneven playing field tilted in the owner’s favor . . .
Why Use Property Tax Protest in 2010?
Adjustments to Comp Sales: Effective Age
Here we’ll discuss Age and Effective Age adjustments to comparable sales when you present a property tax protest to your Texas Appraisal Review Board.
Do Market Conditions Matter?
Used to be when a protesting Texas property owner testified market conditions were terrible Appraisal Review Board members’ eyes would glaze over as if Chicken Little were testifying, “The sky is falling”. It’s different this year . . .
Adjustments to Comp Sales: Pool
Here we’ll discuss Pool/No Pool adjustments to comparable sales when you present a property tax protest to your Texas Appraisal Review Board.
Adjustments to Comp Sales: Condition
Here we’ll discuss property condition adjustments to comparable sales when you present a property tax protest to your Texas Appraisal Review Board.
The Double Whammy: Values Down, Tax Rates Up
Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) expects 60% of its Value Notices mailed May 1 will reflect a decrease according to the Dallas Morning News Friday April 23: “Property values to mostly fall; Area budgets face gaps. . .” Last year the same number was 55%.
As values fall tax rates must rise to fund the shortfall.
What does it mean for you as the protest season (May 1 thru 31) approaches?
In 2009 — when 55% of Value Notices reflected a decrease — Property Tax Protest obtained more gross reductions in value than in any prior year and those reductions were heavily weighted to properties the appraisal districts had already reduced!
Why? It’s because in our experience appraisal districts tend to follow values down less diligently than they follow values up.
In 2010 there are additional factors at play.
- In 2010 for the first time the Property Tax Code provides “In determining value . . . the chief appraiser may not exclude from consideration the value of other . . . property in the same neighborhood because… the market value has declined because of the declining economy, or… it was sold at foreclosure…”
- In 2010 for the first time the Code provides the chief appraiser may not increase your market value in the year following a successful protest “unless the increase is supported by substantial evidence.” Thus, savings this year are more likely to last more than one year.
- In 2010 for the first time the Code provides that homesteaded properties valued over $1.0 million qualify for Arbitration. Last year Property Tax Protest succeeded in every case we took to Arbitration and our total reductions from Arbitration were more than double our reductions from the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) on those properties. To qualify you must have protested and received an Order from the ARB.
Property Tax Protest offers a 4% discount for early registration in April. There are two benefits:
- Our clients save money going in
- We have more time to prepare their cases
For more information or to sign up visit www.propertytaxprotest.com before May 1.
Won’t They Just Bump Me Next Year If I Win This Year?
The short answer is “Maybe”. But the Property Tax Code provides the chief appraiser may not increase your value following a successful protest “unless . . .
Your home’s on a hot commercial corner; so what?
For years many Texas homeowners paid excessive property taxes because their land had commercial value. In 2010 they will file property tax protests under a new section of the Code that corrects the matter. But it can also be abused . . .
Uptown Dallas’ Condo Skeletons
Condo taxable values are ripe for readjustment. Adding to the incentive, in 2010 foreclosures will be admissible as evidence and general economic conditions will be admissible by law . . .
Can I Convey to a Trust and Keep My Homestead Exemption?
Homestead rights were historically vested only in individuals but the 2009 Texas legislature changed that. Home owners now have a new tool for estate planning . . ..
About the Author
Jonathan Kutner
Jonathan Kutner is licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission and has 22 years' experience helping Texans control their property taxes at www.propertytaxprotest.com.
We're On Facebook to Serve You Better. Become a Fan and Reduce Your Taxes!