Other Ways to Protest Your Property Taxes

1 Challenge Your Condition Rating with Repair Evidence

The appraisal district assigns a broad "condition rating" to every property (such as "Average," "Good," or "Fair"). If your home has specific repair needs that this rating doesn't reflect, you can document those issues and present them as evidence to lower your appraised value.

Common examples include:

• Deferred maintenance (aging roof, outdated systems, foundation issues)
• Damage from storms, flooding, or other events
• Functional obsolescence (outdated floor plan, lack of modern amenities)
• Your condition rating is higher than similar homes in worse shape

Download Condition Protest Form (PDF)

2 Factual Errors in Your Appraisal

Sometimes the appraisal district has incorrect information about your property. If you find errors in the data they used to calculate your value, you can request a correction.

Check your appraisal notice for these common errors:

• Incorrect square footage (living area or lot size)
• Wrong number of bedrooms, bathrooms, or stories
• Incorrect year built
• Features you don't have (pool, garage, etc.)
• Missing negative factors (easements, flood plain, etc.)

If you find errors, bring documentation to your hearing, such as a survey, floor plan, or photos that prove the correct information.

3 Market Value Evidence

If you have recent sales data showing comparable properties sold for less than your assessed value, you can present this as evidence. This is different from the "equal and uniform" approach used in our standard protest packets.

What you'll need:

• Recent sales of comparable homes in your area (within the last year)
• Sales prices must be lower than your assessed value
• Properties should be similar in size, age, and features

You can find recent sales data through your county's appraisal district website, real estate websites, or by requesting information from a real estate agent.

4 Professional Appraisal or Attorney

For complex cases or high-value properties, you may want to hire a licensed property appraiser to prepare a formal appraisal, or a property tax attorney to represent you at your hearing.

Consider professional help if:

• Your property value is significantly higher than comparable homes
• You have unique property features that are difficult to compare
• Previous protests have been unsuccessful
• The potential tax savings justify the cost