Do you recommend trying one of those Property Tax Protest firms or are you better off doing it yourself?

I keep getting letters from those tax protest companies and i keep meaning to either do it myself or try one of them, but I'm not sure which way to go.

Has anyone tried doing it themselves or on the other side can anyone share some experiences if they have tried one of the companies?

Thanks.

I've done it in person one time (Tarrant County) and it was a beatdown. Last year I did it online I made an offer, they countered, we settled in the middle. This year I hurried through it online and am now waiting for either a figure or a date to go in person. Haven't tried a company...yet.

I believe the deadline is/was 5/31. They may have delayed that due to the virus. If they upped your value after or close to the deadline I think you may have 2 weeks from the date of the notice to file your protest. You might check that. I could be wrong on the dates.

I used McConner and associates for years. You only pay half of what they save you the first year. I contacted them after I tried and failed. Thank me later.


https://www.poconnor.com/

"How to Appeal Your Property Taxes

It’s your right to challenge the system!

You have a right to lower property taxes! State law prescribes a procedure for protesting the assessed value of your property. We provide a property tax reduction service to residential homeowners in exchange for a contingency fee of 50 percent of all property taxes saved through administrative hearings or judicial appeal, for that tax year.

Analyzes existing assessments
Researchers, prepares and presents appeals on your behalf at informal hearings
Coordinates a mutually agreed lawsuit if appropriate
You are not billed for court costs, appraisals, expert witness fees or legal fees. You pay us only if we reduce your taxes!"

They had to postpone and reschedule my review because the servers all crashed due to overload. They're going to try again on the 9th.

This is out of hand, we need a state wide sales tax increase to pay for schools and city services. Property owners are taking a knee to the neck.

Worth every penny IMO. The one we used in Austin takes a portion of what they saved you. So yes you may have to pay them 30% of what you saved (I can’t remember the exact figure) but it is still worth it for them to do all the work.

I use O’Connor as well. Once you sign up with them, they automatically do it every year going forward. It tends to go in cycles. One year they will get you reduced by 20 or 30 K and then it will stay the same for a few years. They charge 50% of the projected savings.

Filed 5 last month online through HCAD. Changed an Ag Exempt property into a small subdivision and they tried to hit me for $43k an acre value.

I think they are worth it, since it no longer worth my time to fight them.

This is whom I used the last few years: https://www.txptr.com/

I did it once some years ago by myself. It was a panel of Dallas county officials, who had a projector in the room with photos and appraisals of other properties. I presented my own print outs of photos of houses in my neighborhood and their appraised values. I live in a fairly new community that have similar house designs you can choose from, so I showed them a couple that are almost like mine. I believe the owners of those properties were already done with their protests and are experts in doing so as they have lower appraised values than my property. Same year built, same house design, almost the same lot size, so why should my property's value be higher than their's? - was able to have my property's appraised value lowered by $30k.

This is who I use. They've saved me a bunch over the last 6-7 years, and their fee is less than most.

I use Oconnor. It was a pain to go in person and deal with the hassle.

I think you referenced them a few years ago on here, and I got the lead from you. Pretty happy with them.

I used them with success after I protested in person.

I filed an online protest this year for the first time. A lady called me last Monday and in 15 minutes we hashed it out. Lowered my appraised value by almost $100K. I doubt that it will ever be that easy again.

I filed my protest online also this year. First year for me protesting. They responded through their online portal within a couple days with a proposed settlement - about 12K lower. I could accept or have a formal hearing. I just accepted it. Next year I'll use a service. Van Zandt County is getting a bit out of control.

Yes sir! And if they don't save you money the next year is free.

You have nothing to lose even if you have protested and got an adjustment.

Brother you ought to be in Henderson County.I thought if you property was homesteaded they couldn't raise taxes. Also I'm 71 She 67.Probably wrong on all counts.

No kidding I have 2 lots next to the two lots that my house is on, last year I put a 15x30 carport for my pontoon boat and had a 20x 20 metal building (dirt floor) moved onto the property, no power no water, sewer nothing else on these lots, went from 3 grand value to 65.000 dollars value. ??? WTH, I added maybe 5 grand.

Same here. Have a 14X20 bld on back lot. No water, elec ect. Taxes went up over 2000% We have to pay for the 300 mil$ school in Eustace, but you can't get up and down the roads for the pot holes.