In addition to the advice below, you'll find a lot of property tax information on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts web site, under Local Property Taxes.

Advice from the NHHA Board, May 2000

Many of you have contacted NHHA board members recently expressing dismay at the size of increase in your property tax appraisal. Some have asked if NHHA plans to file a "group protest" to the increases. The short answer is "No." Unfortunately, property appraisals are individual in nature and may be challenged only by the individual homeowner. There is no mechanism for a neighborhood appeal or protest.

The NHHA Board has brought the membership's concern to the attention of the County Commissioners as well as our representatives on the Dallas City Council, but there is not much they can do as property values are set by the Dallas Central Appraisal District, which is an autonomous county agency.

Here are some basic steps to consider, should you want to protest an increase in the appraised value of your property:

• Do not delay! There are strict deadlines that must be met to protect your right to protest the appraisal. The deadlines and Protest Form are set forth on the Notice of Appraised Value you received informing you of the property value increase. File the Protest Form immediately -- you can always decide to cancel or withdraw your protest.
• For general information, you can call the Dallas Central Appraisal District's customer service number at 214-631-0910.
• Once you decide you want to challenge the value increase, identify those homes in your immediate neighborhood that sold within the past calendar year and learn their selling price, i.e., "neighborhood comps." Such information is essential to a successful protest and is available at the Central Appraisal District offices located at 2949 North Stemmons Freeway (I-35N) or on the Internet at www.dallascad.org (click on the "Property Data" button to begin your research), or your friendly local real estate agent may be able to assist you in compiling the necessary comparative figures.
• Call the Central Appraisal District offices at 214-905-9402 and ask one of the appraisers to explain your appraisal. What other properties were considered in setting your value, how does that property (those properties) compare to yours (e.g., lot and house size, recent improvements / additions, whether or not there is a pool, etc.)?
• Request an informal review of your appraisal with an appraiser at the Dallas Central Appraisal District and go in armed with two or three of the local "comps" you identified that support your position (I.e., sale price per sq. ft.). Photographs of your home, inside and out, may also be helpful if it has not been recently updated. Usually, if you can make a reasonable case with specific "comps" from your immediate area (block or adjacent block) that support your claim, the appraiser will at least offer to "compromise" and met you halfway. If you are not satisfied with the informal meeting, you may request a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board.

Again, the details on exactly how to request such a hearing are contained in the Notice of Appraised Value you received from the Dallas Central Appraisal.