Although property taxes rise gradually with the real estate market, homeowners sometimes find that their property taxes have experienced unfair inflations due to inaccurate appraisals. Several reasons exist for incorrect property tax appraisals, including incorrect information that their county possesses. Homeowners in Texas who are concerned about the accuracy of their property tax appraisals may file a formal protest with their county's appraisal district. Novotny & Company, a tax consulting firm that serves clients in Harris County and surrounding areas, frequently handles the filing and hearing phases of clients' property tax appeal processes.

1. Why Protest Your Residential
Property Tax Amount?
By Novotny & Company

2. Why Protest Your Residential
Property Tax Amount?
Although property taxes rise gradually with the real
estate market, homeowners sometimes find that their
property taxes have experienced unfair inflations due to
inaccurate appraisals. Several reasons exist for incorrect
property tax appraisals, including incorrect information
that their county possesses. Homeowners in Texas who
are concerned about the accuracy of their property tax
appraisals may file a formal protest with their county's
appraisal district. Novotny & Company, a tax consulting
firm that serves clients in Harris County and surrounding
areas, frequently handles the filing and hearing phases
of clients' property tax appeal processes.

3. Why Protest Your Residential
Property Tax Amount?
Residential property owners may pay unfairly inflated property taxes
because:
- The property was appraised using incorrect square footage
information. The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) conducts
square footage measurements on residential buildings from the
exterior, with each individual measurement rounded to the nearest
foot. These measurements may include space that does not quality
as a living area, such as an attic.
- The property was assigned a greater value than neighboring
properties based on a higher CDU (condition/desirability/utilities)
level.
- The property requires high-cost repairs to maintain its market
value. Depending on the extent of the repairs that a property needs,
a higher effective age may be more appropriate for determining its
value than the actual age.