What is the best method of protesting home taxes?

[Nonbryan]

I just got my 2008 home appraisal for tax purposes and they are out of their mind! I have never had the pleasure of protesting these before and I am looking for any kind of advice you can spare.

 

[Longhorn_Fan68]

 

[jimmyjazz]

I protested last year using a service -- Texas ProTax. Ordinarily, I'd try to do something like that myself, but the fact of the matter is they have access to appraisal information used by the county that you cannot access as a layman. I had no idea that the county "rates" every home on a scale (1-7 ???), and that rating affects the manner in which future average increases will affect your valuation.

ProTax not only protested the valuation (and got it down 9%) but they got my rating knocked down, too. It was worth the 40% commission on tax savings.

 

[accuratehorn]

The instructions for protesting it yourself are in the appraisal packet. You must file by a certain date, and make sure you keep the appointment. But maybe it is better to get a pro service as noted above.

 

[hornbanger]

anyone recommend one of these services in houston?

 

[tbone]

**** it. Just don't pay it. That'll probably get their attention.

 

[wolfman]

I protested my taxes in the Dallas County Central Appraisal District and got them lowered. I followed the instructions that came with the tax statement. I dont remember the details but it was pretty easy. I knew that the house next door sold under valued and referenced that sale You can also look up hme values in your neighborhood on some Appraisal district websidtes, there is one for Dallas County, probably where you live too.