What Is a Property Tax Protest and Why Should You Do It?

Every year, millions of Texans receive their property appraisal notice—and many simply accept the number without question. But what if your home’s appraised value is too high? What if your property is being overtaxed due to errors, outdated data, or inflated market assumptions?

This is where a property tax protest comes in and Ballard Property Tax Protest can help.

What Is a Property Tax Protest?

A property tax protest is the formal process of challenging the appraised value assigned to your property by your county appraisal district. Your property taxes are based on this appraised value, not on how much tax you think is fair to pay. If the appraisal is too high, you're likely paying too much in taxes.

Every Texas homeowner has the legal right to protest their property’s assessed value each year—regardless of whether it increased, decreased, or stayed the same.

Why Protesting Matters

Most homeowners don’t realize that appraisal districts rely heavily on mass appraisal systems. These systems use broad formulas and market data to estimate values, often without ever stepping foot on your property. As a result, your home may be overvalued based on incorrect details or assumptions.

Here’s why you should consider protesting:

• Save money: A successful protest can reduce your annual property tax bill—sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
• Correct inaccuracies: Many appraisals contain errors like the wrong square footage, incorrect building features, or overlooked damage.
• Hold appraisal districts accountable: Protesting forces appraisal districts to take a closer look at your specific property instead of relying solely on automated tools.

Common Reasons to Protest Your Appraised Value

• Your home is valued higher than recent sales in your area
• You’ve found factual errors in the appraisal (e.g., number of bedrooms or square footage)
• Your home has major damage or deferred maintenance not considered in the appraisal
• Your property was compared to newly remodeled or upgraded homes

The Protest Process at a Glance

1. Review Your Appraisal Notice: Typically mailed in April, this includes your property’s assessed value and protest instructions.
2. File a Protest: Submit your protest by May 15 or 30 days after receiving your notice—whichever is later.
3. Prepare Your Evidence: Collect comparable property sales, photos of issues, contractor estimates, or third-party appraisals.
4. Attend the Informal Review or ARB Hearing: Present your case to your appraisal district or an independent Appraisal Review Board.

The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing

Even if your home’s value only increased a little, that change could add up over time—especially with rising tax rates. Failing to protest year after year can compound your overpayment and put you at a permanent disadvantage.

And here’s the reality: appraisal districts count on the fact that most homeowners won’t protest.

Why Hire a Professional?

While it’s possible to protest on your own, working with a property tax consultant like Ballard Property Tax Protest gives you the advantage of experience, strategy, and negotiation power. We understand how appraisal districts work, how to craft effective arguments, and how to uncover valuation errors that homeowners often miss.

Final Thoughts

A property tax protest is one of the most underused tools available to homeowners to protect their finances. It’s legal. It’s your right. And it can make a real difference.

If you believe your home may be overvalued—or you simply want a second opinion—don’t wait. Reach out to Ballard Property Tax Protest today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, handle the paperwork, and fight for the fair value you deserve.