How to Challenge Your Tax Assessment Without a Lawyer

How to Challenge Your Tax Assessment Without a Lawyer gives you a clear, step-by-step way to understand what drives your bill, what to verify on your notice, and what to do if the numbers look off.

Property tax assessments can feel unfair, especially when bills jump unexpectedly. The good news is that you don’t need a lawyer to challenge an assessment. Homeowners can often appeal directly to their local Board of Review or Tax Tribunal. The process typically involves gathering evidence, filing a formal protest, and possibly attending a hearing. By doing the work yourself, you keep 100% of any tax savings. Why appeal your assessment? Assessors sometimes make errors or use outdated data. If your home is overvalued relative to recent sales in your area, or if there are mistakes in the property description, you have grounds to protest 2. Lower property values in your market or uncounted damage (like a faulty

roof) can also justify a reduction 4. The first step is to review your assessment notice carefully, comparing it to similar nearby homes and noting any clerical errors. Steps to file your own appeal: - Gather Evidence: Compile recent comparable sales (“comps”), a recent appraisal (if you have one), and documentation of any issues or damage. Photos can powerfully illustrate problems that might reduce value 4. - Calculate Overvaluation: Use online tools or a simple calculation: find three or more similar homes that sold for less than your assessed value. Demonstrate the disparity in your appeal packet.

• File the Protest: Check your assessment notice or local tax office for appeal deadlines (often 30 days from

notice delivery). Fill out the required protest form (or a written notice) and submit it with your evidence by the deadline 7. Many jurisdictions allow online or mail filing. - Consider an Informal Review: Some areas (like Texas) offer an optional “informal conference” with an appraiser before the formal hearing. You can present your case in less formal settings to seek a quick adjustment. - Prepare for the Hearing: If your case goes to a formal hearing, practice your presentation. Stay factual and polite. Bring all documentation. You represent yourself, but you can be thorough – think of it as “preparing a tax protest case” 9 3

. In many cases, homeowners have successfully lowered their assessment without a lawyer by following these steps. As the TrustDALE guide notes, the tax appeal process “is something homeowners can handle themselves—at no cost”. The key is preparation and documentation. Make sure you understand how the assessed value was determined (by comps or cost approach) and where it might be off. Use ProptaxHelper’s free Assessment Check tool to compare your home’s features with your listing info, catching errors early. By DIY-ing your appeal, you keep any savings. Companies that offer to file appeals for a percentage of savings essentially charge you to do something you can do. TrustDALE’s article sums it up: with a bit of

effort, “you can do it yourself and keep every dollar you save”. 1 Key Takeaways:

• Check for mistakes: Errors in your property’s details or overlooked exemptions can inflate your

assessment 6.

• Collect solid evidence: Recent sale prices of similar homes and professional appraisals make a strong

case 12.

• Watch deadlines: Appeals are time-sensitive. Filing on time keeps your options open

7.

• Use free tools: ProptaxHelper’s appeal checklist and valuation calculator can guide you through each step,

with no cost. If you’re motivated, start by reviewing your assessment notice this week. Use ProptaxHelper’s Tax Appeal Checklist and online calculators to estimate potential savings, then follow your state’s appeal process. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish without an attorney!

Next steps

• Use the Property Tax Estimator to sanity-check your bill.
• If something looks off, run a quick Appeal Savings scenario.
• Scan the Articles list for related topics like exemptions, deadlines, and escrow planning.