• Property value is too high
• Property value is disproportionate to other properties in the area
• Exemption was denied
• RCAD failed to provide notice of a change to your property value

Things to Remember:

• Be aware of deadlines. File in a timely manner.
• Review any and all documents and forms sent to you thoroughly.
• Do not ignore mail from the appraisal district.
• Do feel free to ask us for our evidence and discuss your property valuation with an appraiser.
• Be on time for your hearing. Occasionally, the protest hearing of the owner scheduled before you may run longer than we anticipated. If that happens, please wait patiently in our lobby. You will be considered a no show if you are not present when the ARB is ready to hear your case, even if you were there earlier that day.

Additional Information about the ARB Process:

• You will be able to offer rebuttal evidence to anything presented by our appraiser.
• Make sure any changes to your property that you plan to introduce into evidence occurred before January 1st.
• It is your responsibility to prove our valuation was inaccurate. You can’t just say we’re wrong; you have to be able to say and show why.
• Keep in mind, we can only see so much of your home and may not be aware of other improvements or defects that are not immediately visible. We are also responsible to appraise thousands of homes in different neighborhoods, so please don’t get personal with our staff or the ARB. It’s important to present your case clearly and concisely.
• Avoid getting emotional.
• Be organized.
• RCAD must establish the value of your property by a preponderance of evidence – meaning the more convincing evidence not the greater quantity.

When all is said and done…

• The ARB will tell you their opinion of your home’s value.
• You will be sent a written order by certified mail.

What Are My Options If I Don’t Agree with the ARB?

• Binding arbitration
• District court
• State Office of Administrative Hearings (for properties valued over $1 million)

More information is available on the Comptroller’s website.

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• property owner’s name and address
• property’s general description
• property’s location

If your business has an aggregate value of more than $20,000, you must file a rendition with:

• property owner’s name and address
• a description of the property for inventory
• a description of each type of inventory
• a general estimate of the quantity of each type of inventory
• the property’s physical location
• either the owner’s good faith estimate of the property’s market value or the property’s historical cost new and its year of acquisition

How Does the Process Work?

• A Notice of Appraised Value is sent by May 1st or as soon as practical thereafter. If you believe the appraised value of your business is incorrect, you may appeal the value before the Appraisal Review Board.
• The ARB is an impartial panel composed of your neighbors within the county. They will listen to you and the appraisal district’s representative and may adjust values based on the evidence presented at the hearing.

What Can I Protest?

• Property value of your business is too high
• Property value of your business is disproportionte compared to comparable properties (adjusted for ondition, size, and other factors)
• Exemption was denied
• RCAD failed to provide notice of a change to your business’ value

Things to Remember:

• Be aware of deadlines. File in a timely manner.
• Review any and all documents and forms sent to you thoroughly.
• Do not ignore mail from the appraisal district.
• Do feel free to ask us for our evidence and discuss your property valuation with an appraiser.
• Be on time for your hearing. Occasionally, the protest hearing of the owner scheduled before you may run longer than we anticipated. If that happens, please wait patiently in our lobby. You will be considered a no show if you are not present when the ARB is ready to hear your case, even if you were there earlier that day.

Additional Information about the ARB Process:

• You will be able to offer rebuttal evidence to anything presented by our appraiser.
• Make sure any changes to your business that you plan to introduce into evidence occurred before January 1st.
• It is your responsibility to prove our valuation was inaccurate. You can’t just say we’re wrong; you have to be able to say and show why.
• Neither our appraisers nor the ARB will visit your business. It’s your responsibility to bring your business to us.
• Bring documentation of anything that could affect the value of your business; i.e., fire reports, going out of business permits, blueprints, deed records, surveys, etc.
• Get a copy of our appraisal card and compare to make sure the square footage, inventory types, level of trade, etc. are correct.
• Avoid getting emotional.
• Keep in mind, we appraise hundreds of properties all over the county and few are alike, so it’s nearly impossible for us to know your business or industry as intimately as you do.
• Present facts and evidence, and do so clearly and concisely. It is perfectly acceptable to give the ARB a valuation amount you believe is fair and reasonable for your business.
• RCAD must establish the value of your property by a preponderance of evidence – meaning the more convincing evidence not the greater quantity.

When all is said and done…

• The ARB will tell you their opinion of your home’s value.
• You will be sent a written order by certified mail.

What Are My Options If I Don’t Agree with the ARB?

• Binding arbitration
• District court
• State Office of Administrative Hearings

More information is available on the Comptroller’s website.

Save

Read less