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Everyone should pay their fair share of property taxes, but why pay more than you need to?

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.

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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