Texas Property Tax Protest

[Orion Koepke]

I bought my first rental property last year in Arlington, Tx for about 30% less than the tax assessment value. So, I decided to protest the house’s value, which I’ve never done before.

I have the closing disclosure, which I was going to show as evidence of what I paid. Is that typically enough evidence to get the tax assessment down to what I paid for the property?

I wasn’t sure if that was enough evidence or if the appraisal review board would just say that I got a good deal on the property and that the property is really worth considerably more.

[Cameron Tope]

Hey Orion,

I used to do my own tax protests but I didn't have much luck. 

I now use Advalorem Tax and they take a percentage of what they save you. I would definitely recommend using a company. 

They saved me thousands in property taxes the first year I hired them. 

[Bruce Lynn]

@Orion Koepke   Every ARB is different and even in Tarrant county you get different people in different settings, so you never know what evidence they will take or not take.  Always seems to be a moving target.

Contract is a good start.  If you got a loan and an appraisal that is good too.  Pictures are normally good.   The more evidence you can show to support your case the better.

I've used companies and I've done it myself in several counties.  I've always had better success doing it myself, but it does take time.  I got about 30% discount in a county south of here about a month ago.  I was asking for 50%.   CAD was horrible.  Did not use comparable properties anywhere close to my house and used homes in completely different condition and style.  I think ARB just split the difference.

[John Morgan]

@Orion Koepke

I use O'Connor and associates every year to fight my taxes. They fight for all my properties automatically every year and do a great job! Yes, just show your closing statement when you fight your taxes. I bought a SFR in ft worth over two years ago for 50k and I got taxed on 50k for 2019 and again in 2020. Zillow has it at 150k. Then they can only go up 10% a year from that purchase price value.

[Danny Webber]

I have never been terribly successful with tax protests. I second using a company.