Property tax protest FAQs for Houston homeowners and businesses, from a TDLR-licensed team.
For residential protests, there is a one time administrative fee of $75 per property. At the completion of your protest, we charge a contingency fee of 35% of your total property tax appraised value reduction or savings. MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. does not bill you on exemptions, but beware some competitors do.Thanks to the Texas Legislature's SB2, passed in 2023, every homeowner in Texas with a Homestead Exemption receives a $100,000 savings on their property tax bill, and if they have an Over 65 Exemption they receive an additional $10,000 savings. For three or more properties, contact the office at marketing@macfarlanerealty.com.Capped accounts: if your property's initial market value is greater than its appraised value, you will be charged the greater of the standard contingency fee or $2.50 per $1,000 reduction on the initial market value.
The typical deadline for filing a protest is 30 days after the day you receive your notice from the appraisal district. To have MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. file your protest, sign up by May 15th at 12 PM. Some owners can still sign up with us after the cutoff if they have already filed their protest; contact us to learn more.
Use the Get Started intake and follow the directions. You will receive a Property Tax Services Agreement and Appointment of Agent form, which are necessary in order for MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. to serve as your fiduciary at the county appraisal district.A Property Condition Report (PCR) will also be included. A completed PCR lets our team know of any specific issues concerning your property. Be sure to include any additional documentation or evidence referenced in the PCR. The sooner you complete, sign, date, and return this form, the sooner we can review it to determine if additional evidence is needed to present your case.
You will receive emails from MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. about additional information that might be needed for your hearing, hearing results, and judicial appeal and arbitration deadlines.
MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. will file your protest for you and then represent you at the informal hearing, the formal hearing, and, if you choose, in arbitration proceedings.
The over 65 exemption does not transfer with the ownership change. If a new homeowner is over 65, they must apply for their own exemption. The county has the right to back charge taxes plus interest for up to five years if they discover that an over 65 exemption no longer applies to a property.
When you bought your house you probably signed or received a homestead exemption form at the title company during closing. If for some reason a form was never sent to your local appraisal district, MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. can assist in filing the homestead application and over 65 exemption paperwork for a small administrative fee of $150 per form.
You have until January 31st, two years after your taxes are due. (For example, if your taxes were due in 2018, you have until January 31, 2020 to file your exemption.) Pay your taxes as billed and on time. The county will refund the difference once your homestead exemption is approved.
Call MacFarlane Realty Group. We will work with the Appraisal District to rectify any incorrect information shown on your property record. This would be done while protesting your property value and could contribute to lowering the appraised value on your property.
For competitive pricing on property tax services for commercial properties, please contact the MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. Commercial Services department at marketing@macfarlanerealty.com.
Typically, you have 30 days from the day you receive your notice from the Appraisal District for a protest to be filed on your property appraisal, or May 15th at the county appraisal district, in general. Please sign up immediately upon receipt of your notice to ensure your protest is filed on time. Contact MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. for assistance.
Use the Get Started intake and follow the directions. You will receive a Property Tax Services Agreement and Appointment of Agent (AOA), which are necessary in order for MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. to serve as your fiduciary at the county appraisal district.A Property Condition Report (PCR) will also be included. A completed PCR lets our team know of any specific issues concerning your property. Be sure to include any additional documentation or evidence referenced in the PCR. The sooner you complete, sign, date, and return this form, the sooner we can review it to determine if additional evidence is needed to present your case.
MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. will file your protest for you and then represent you at the informal hearing and the formal hearing. If there is a strong case for a value reduction and the county appraisal district will not agree to it in the formal hearing, we can provide litigation management and support, or arbitration services on your behalf.
Call MacFarlane Realty Group Inc. We will work with the Appraisal District to rectify any incorrect information shown on your property record. This would be done while protesting your property value and could contribute to lowering the appraised value on your property.
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