| The property tax appraisal logic in Texas is this: | | | | alternative solution is presented. If the appraiser's offer |
| • One entity will decide the appraised values of | | | | is unacceptable, the property owner may request the |
| every taxable property in the county. These are called | | | | Appraisal Review Board to arbitrate the issue. |
| Central Appraisal Districts. Each district has its own | | | | • The Appraisal Review Board is made of up of |
| chief appraiser who is in charge of overseeing the | | | | other taxpayers in the county; taxpayers who are not |
| work. | | | | employees of the CAD, and whose determinations |
| • The CAD value each piece of taxable property | | | | cannot be overturned by the CAD. The ARB |
| by use of computer model and actual field visits. | | | | committee listens to the evidence presented it by the |
| Those values are then published as public record. A | | | | property owner and the evidence presented by the |
| period of time is then allowed for taxpayers to | | | | appraiser. |
| compare the value that was assessed to their | | | | Both will be questioned by the ARB members and |
| property with assessments of comparable properties. | | | | then they decide what the appropriate value will be. |
| • If the taxpayer can prove that the assessed | | | | That value must be used by the CAD. |
| value of his property is different from that of similar | | | | For home owners who are unsatisfied with the value |
| properties, he can always file an official protest in | | | | assigned, there exist another option other than filing a |
| writing with the CAD. The end of may is when a | | | | suit against the district. A binding arbitration can be |
| protest must be filed for each individual tax year. | | | | opted for by them. Hundreds of realty experts have |
| An informal meeting is then scheduled between a | | | | received certification to act as arbitrator on your case |
| CAD appraiser and the property owner. It is at this | | | | by the Texas Comptroller. They are able to listen to |
| meeting that the owner presents the appraiser with | | | | cases where the houses involved are valued at under |
| evidence of his property's value, and the appraiser | | | | $1 million. Arbitration costs are paid by the losing party, |
| provides his appraisal to the property owner. An | | | | but cannot be more than $500. |