Informal Appraisal Meeting v. Appraisal Review Board Hearing
When a taxpayer files an appeal of their property value, they are given a date that their protest will be heard by the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). This appeal will determine the final value of the property through the administrative process. However, before this hearing, a taxpayer may seek out an “informal” meeting with the county appraiser’s office in an attempt to settle the appeal. This allows both the appraisal office and the taxpayer to set the value for the property without the intervention of an ARB.
What to Do:
BEFORE THE MEETING
The first thing a taxpayer needs to do before their informal meeting with the appraisal district is examine their evidence. This should include the county’s evidence as well. After examining all the evidence, taxpayers must establish a justifiable value for their property and craft the narrative of their appeal (“My property’s value should be reduced because . . .”). Once they’ve done their homework, it is time to meet with the appraiser.
DURING THE MEETING
When having the informal meeting with the appraisal office, be sure to listen to what bit of evidence drove the county’s valuation. Where are they putting the most weight on in their argument? Was it a comparable sale in the market? Or maybe a new cap rate study? Be sure to listen to their argument; even if you cannot resolve the protest in the informal meeting, it will help you later in an ARB hearing. After meeting with the appraiser, try to rework your evidence using some of the data/numbers the county is using to bridge the gap between your valuations. It is ok to make concessions. If the number is higher than you find to be reasonable, then take your shot in front of the ARB. Otherwise, offer this new number to the appraisal district and see if that is agreeable to them.
The Wayfinder Way
These meetings can be extremely useful to taxpayers because they now know what the driving factor was in their property’s valuation. The meeting allows them to bypass a potentially risky ARB hearing to acquire a reduction in value.
For help setting up or handling an informal meeting with an appraiser concerning your property valuation protests, ask how we can help.
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