In select Inner Loop neighborhoods like River Oaks, and West University property taxes increased as much as 14%.
Harris County residents have until May 30th to protest their property value appraisal.
FILING DEADLINES
For 2008, protest deadlines have changed for Harris County.
For homestead properties, the early protest deadline is April 30th or 30 days after the date the appraisal district sends a notice of appraised value, whichever is later.
If a homeowner misses the new early deadline, the regular protest deadline (June 2, 2008) applies. In the case of other real property (land and buildings), the 2008 protest deadline is June 2.
A later protest deadline may apply if HCAD mails your 2008 notice of appraised value after May 1. The June 2 deadline also applies to business and industrial personal property accounts.
In all cases where there is a later protest deadline, the date will be printed on the notice of appraised value. To learn more about official filing deadlines, click here.
2008 PROPERTY TAX INCREASES
The median
The following table lists property value changes in select zip codes in
Area |
County |
2007 Average |
2008 Average |
% Change |
946,392 |
$158,490.98 |
$167,989.04 |
5.99% |
|
77019 |
5,745 |
$667,724.09 |
$765,877.77 |
14.70% |
77024 |
11,530 |
$634,057.41 |
$723,661.45 |
14.13% |
77027 |
4,341 |
$448,595.52 |
$510,876.64 |
13.88% |
77005 |
7,479 |
$645,834.71 |
$734,616.15 |
13.75% |
77002 |
1,188 |
$229,261.10 |
$239,268.54 |
4.37% |
(Source: Harris County Appraisal District). /images/2008-average-tax-changes.jpg
Click here to see more details and more zip codes.
HOW TO PROTEST YOUR TAX INCREASES
You can either hire a firm to dispute your taxes for you (they’ll usually charge about 1/3 of the tax savings) or follow the process below.
The Harris County Appraisal District introduced, ISettle, a new Homeowners' online settlement system.
ISettle is a new approach to handling disputes over homestead property value.
In the ISettle system, homeowners file their protest online, and provide an opinion of the market value of their homestead.
HCAD will propose an ISettle value, and if the homeowner accepts that value, the protest process is complete. If the homeowner rejects the ISettle value, they are scheduled to go directly to a ARB protest hearing.
Online Protest Filings:
All property taxpayers have the option to logon to IFile at www.hcad.org/ifile for the quickest and most convenient way to file a protest.
2008 value notices have two unique numbers printed on the upper, right-hand side of each notice. One is the property account number, and the other is an IFile code number, unique to that particular property for this year only.
After filling out the online form and clicking on a “Submit My Protest” button, you will receive an e-mail acknowledgement indicating that the protest has been received and is awaiting scheduling. When your scheduling notice is sent, you will again be able to use the IFile system to review specific evidence HCAD has regarding your property’s value.
Written Protest Filings:
Should you choose to file in person or by mail, HCAD has protest forms and the form explains the protest process.
HCAD has protest forms available, but it is not necessary to use an official form. Property Tax Notice of Protest forms are available: either online at www.hcad.org, by telephone at 713-957-7800, at HCAD offices located at 13013 Northwest Freeway, at any Harris County Tax Office.
Step 1: Completing the Protest Form
The box labeled “value is over market value” must be checked if you believe that HCAD appraised your property’s value higher than its market value.
The box labeled “unequal value” must be checked if you believe that your property’s value, as appraised by HCAD, is unequal to comparable properties in your neighborhood.
It is not necessary to give your estimate of appraised value when filing your protest.
Step 2: Do Your Homework
Once you have filed your protest, you may request a copy of the evidence used to determine your protested property’s appraisal value. The request must be made in writing at least 15 days prior to your protest hearing.
Requests for protest evidence may be made in person at the address listed above or mailed to: Harris County Appraisal District, Customer Service Department,
Verify that measurements for your home and lot are correct.
Gather photographs and statements from contractors if your property has hidden defects, such as a cracked foundation, or needs major repairs.
You may want to obtain an appraisal of your property’s value from an independent appraiser.
You may learn the value of your property compared with other properties in your area by visiting HCAD’s Information and
Step 3: Important Documents to Bring to your Hearing * The appraisal report from HCAD,
* Evidence gathered about your property and other properties in your area, if applicable.
* Any other material you intend to use in your presentation.
Bring four (4) copies of the following items to your appointment for a hearing:
* Your closing statement (if the property was purchased in the last year) or an appraisal report for the property,
Step 4: Exemptions * Homeowners with disabilities exemption
* Over-65 exemption
* Disabled veteran
* Survivor exemption
Ensure that you have taken all exemptions to which you qualify or are legally entitled:
*
Exemptions remove part of the value of your property from taxation and lower your taxes.
For more information, visit http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/. Source: http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/propertytax/protest.asp
