Throughout the months of March, April and May, homeowners in Harris County will receive their property value notices in the mail providing them with values that will be used to determine what property taxes they owe later on in the year.
Some homeowners have already received their values, while others will get theirs over the coming weeks as the Harris County Appraisal District works to set values for every property in the county. Property value notices provide each property's market value, which is based on what HCAD has determined the home would sell for on the open market.
As of March 18, single-family home values are up an average of 9.63% across Harris County compared to last year, according to HCAD market trend data.
If a homeowner does not agree with the value set for their property, they can file a protest to have the value changed. The deadline for most property owners to file a protest is May 15, but homeowners who receive their appraisal notices after April 15 have 30 days from the day they receive their notices to file a protest.
There are several ways to file a protest, including through the mail, bringing a paper protest form to the HCAD office or electronically through iFile. If a homeowner uses iFile, they can also opt in to iSettle, where they can upload documents to show why their value should be lowered.
After filing a protest, homeowners have the option to meet with an appraiser to present evidence of why their value should be lowered. Evidence can include photos, repair estimates and comparable sales data that would indicate a home’s market value has been incorrectly assessed, officials said.
If an agreement cannot be reached between the homeowner and the appraiser, the homeowner is scheduled to go to an Appraisal Review Board hearing, where ARB members hear testimony from the property owner and HCAD to determine if the value should be changed.
HCAD and the office of the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector have been hosting property tax workshops throughout the county to educate homeowners on the home appraisal and protesting process.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for homeowners to get their questions answered and to make sure they are receiving all the exemptions they are entitled to,” Roland Altinger, HCAD’s chief appraiser, said in a statement. “Knowing their options on the various ways to file a protest could help homeowners reduce their tax burden.”
The following workshops are set for the end of April and beginning of May.
April 30, 6:30 p.m.
Proctor Plaza Park Community Center
803 W. Temple St., Houston
May 1, 1 p.m.
Aldine Branch Library
11311 Airline Drive, Houston
May 4, 10:30 a.m.
NW Harris County MUD No. 24
14446 Hollister St., Houston
May 6, 6 p.m.
West University Place Community Building
6104 Auden St., Houston
May 7, 2 p.m.
Richard & Meg Weekley Community Center
8440 Greenhouse Road, Cypress
May 8, 6 p.m.
Bear Creek Community Center/Glazier Senior Education Center
16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston
