Helping Houston homeowners pay their fair share of property taxes

Property taxes are a locally assessed and administered tax.

• Your Appraisal District is responsible for appraising every property in your county.
• These appraisals are completed during the first quarter of the year.
• Your Appraisal District determines your property value by averages based on similar sized properties, location, and building attributes.
• The method used by the Appraisal District is called “Mass Appraisal”, which indirectly creates a margin of error and room for inaccurate appraisals.
• By not protesting, you are accepting the district’s appraisal of your property.
• This ultimately leaves many homeowners paying more than they should in property taxes.
• As a property owner, you have a right to protest and try to get your taxes lowered.

Exercise Your Rights

OPTC may be contacted at any stage of the protest process

Filing of the protest, informal meeting, formal hearing (ARB)

• Appointment of Agent (AOA) for Property Tax Matters form signed.
• OPTC will file the protest on behalf of the homeowner.
• HCAD will schedule a date/time for the informal meeting. The homeowner and OPTC will be notified of this date by mail.
• OPTC will research the case, ask homeowner for any information regarding their home, their neighborhood, surrounding area.
• OPTC will represent the homeowner at the informal meeting. If an agreement is reached for a reduction. No further action is required. The homeowner is notified of the outcome and the invoice is mailed out.
• If OPTC does not come to an agreement for a reduction at the informal hearing. OPTC will set up a formal hearing with the board (ARB). The homeowner will be mailed the scheduled time/date of the ARB hearing.
• OPTC will attend the ARB formal hearing on behalf of the homeowner. An agreement will either be made for a reduction or no reduction at this time.
• The homeowner is notified of the ARB formal hearing outcome. If an agreement is reached for a reduction, an invoice will be mailed out. If there is no reduction, no further action is required.

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