Harris County Appraisal DistrictAddress: 13013 Northwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77040-6305
Mailing address: Box 920975, Houston, Texas 77292-0975
Phone: 713-957-7800 Fax: 713-957-5210
Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
» Visit the Harris County Appraisal District online at www.hcad.org.
Tips & Tricks for Appealing Your Property Taxes in Harris County
- The most meaningful way to reduce your property taxes for your home is to obtain a homestead exemption.
- Reduce property taxes by annually appealing. You can file a notice of appeal by utilizing the comptroller's form or by sending a letter to the Harris County Appraisal Review Board.
- Obtaining the Harris County Appraisal District evidence (House Bill 201 information) greatly increases your chances for success at the Harris County Appraisal Review Board hearing.
- Research the Harris County Appraisal District "record card" which has information used to value your property. There are often errors with factors such as land area, building area, year built, year remodeled, grade (quality of construction) and CDU (condition, utility and desirability).
- When preparing for your Harris County Appraisal Review Board hearing you should gather information on market value and unequal appraisal
- Comparable sales are the cornerstone of market value. Sources of comparable sales data can be found in the House Bill 201 package obtained from the Harris County Appraisal District and MLS sites.
- Unequal appraisal is often effective in reducing property taxes. Even if your assessed value is below market value, you can appeal based on unequal appraisal.
- Unequal appraisal occurs when the Harris County Appraisal District has assessed your property at a higher level than similar properties. You can research assessment comparables on the Harris County Appraisal District website.
- Unequal appraisal can be particularly helpful for recently purchased properties. Harris County Appraisal District appraisers are reluctant to reduce the assessed value, when it is below the recent purchase price, even if it is unequally appraised. However, the impartial Harris County Appraisal Review Board is required to consider appeals on both market value and unequal appraisal.
- Important components of an unequal appraisal presentation include a reasonable number of comparable properties (about 2 to 10) that are appropriately adjusted. These properties are usually considered to be properties that are similar in regard to the quality and quantity of improvements.
- Obtaining an independent appraisal can effectively document market value and will receive meaningful consideration from the Harris County Appraisal District appraiser and the Harris County Appraisal Review Board panel members.
- For recently built properties, the Harris County Appraisal District appraiser will want to review actual construction cost. A cost segregation report prepared by a qualified appraiser can separate personal property from real property.
- At the hearing you will spend a few moments developing a rapport with the appraiser. Be polite with the appraiser - the appraiser is not opposed to reducing your property taxes.
- Your presentation to the Harris County Appraisal Review Board should be kept between three to five minutes, since the entire hearing only lasts 15 to 20 minutes.
- If you are not satisfied with your results from the appraisal review board hearing, you can request binding arbitration. When compared to a judicial appeal, advantages of binding arbitration include a lower cost, informal process, speedier resolution and the loser pays provision.
- Binding arbitration is a new option that allows property owners an informal and inexpensive option if not satisfied with the Harris County Appraisal Review Board's decision. Binding arbitration is available for owners of properties with an assessed value of $1 million or less (after the Harris County Appraisal Review Board hearing) who are only appealing on market value.
- Although you can appeal on your own, hiring a consultant to appeal on your behalf is risk free because there is no flat fee and no upfront costs; you only pay a portion of the savings.
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