Tax Lawyers Experienced in Complex Texas Property Tax Issues
Brown PC represents businesses and high-asset individuals in all matters involving Texas property taxes. From unfavorable appraisals to controversies over property tax caps and exemptions, various issues can arise, and resolving them favorably requires experienced legal representation.
With offices in Fort Worth, our firm represents clients in Texas property tax matters statewide. Whether you need to proactively challenge an appraisal, you need to challenge a property tax assessment, or you need help securing a property tax incentive, we encourage you to get in touch to discuss how we can help. Our Texas tax lawyers have decades of relevant experience, and we can work with you to formulate and execute a strategy tailored to the specific circumstances at hand.
Texas Property Tax Matters We Handle
We handle all matters involving complex property tax issues in Texas. Working with high-asset individuals, real estate developers, oil and gas companies, and an extremely wide range of other clients, we regularly provide assistance with issues such as:
- Appraisal Gaps and Inaccuracies
- Back Taxes on Real and Personal Property
- Property Tax Cap Disputes
- Property Tax Exemption Disputes
- Tax Sale Redemption Disputes
We also assist clients with securing property tax incentives. As discussed below, tax incentives are available from various sources in Texas, and securing these incentives can substantially reduce businesses’ property tax burdens.
Appraisal Appeals and Corrections
Appraisals serve as the foundation for calculating individuals’ and businesses’ property tax burdens in Texas. As a result, an inaccurate appraisal can lead to substantial unwarranted tax liability. While there are formal means of challenging property tax assessments when necessary, working directly with the appraiser can be an effective approach in many cases.
Protests and Informal Hearings
For individuals and businesses that have received an unfavorable property tax assessment, the first step in challenging the assessment is generally to file a protest with the appropriate Chief Appraiser. After receiving a protest, the Chief Appraiser will schedule an informal hearing at which the taxpayer has the opportunity to present its case for a reduced assessment.
Formal Hearings
If the Chief Appraiser upholds the original property tax assessment, the taxpayer can then request a formal hearing. This hearing takes place before an Appraisal Review Board (ARB). During the hearing, the ARB will hear evidence from the taxpayer and a district appraiser before rendering a decision to either affirm or reduce the property tax assessment at issue.
Property Tax Litigation
Property owners who are unable to secure a favorable resolution through the ARB hearing process have the right to challenge their property tax assessments in a Texas state court. This involves filing a property tax protest lawsuit by the applicable deadline (generally 60 days from receipt of the ARB’s decision) and complying with all procedural and substantive requirements.
Securing Texas Property Tax Incentives
As noted above, eligible businesses may be able to secure property tax incentives from various entities in Texas. These include municipalities, counties, and school districts, among others. If your business is eligible for a property tax incentive, or if you have questions about your business’s eligibility (or ability to become eligible), we invite you to contact us for a confidential consultation.
FAQs: Understanding Texas’s Property Tax Laws
What is the “appraisal cap,” and does it apply to me?
Texas’s “appraisal cap” is a limit on property tax liability for qualifying residences. As the Texas Comptroller explains, “[t]he appraised value for a homeowner who qualifies his or her homestead for exemptions in the preceding and current year may not increase more than 10 percent per year.” Calculating increases below this 10-percent cap can be complicated, and disputes over property tax assessments both above and below the cap are common.
Are there additional breaks for seniors or individuals with disabilities?
Yes, Texas has established significant property tax breaks for seniors (beginning at age 65) and individuals with qualifying disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, tax breaks for disabled veterans. Disabled individuals aged 65 or older may qualify for both types of tax breaks. Understanding and applying these tax breaks can be complicated, and property owners with questions about their eligibility should consult an experienced Texas property tax lawyer.
What is the current homestead exemption for school taxes in Texas?
At the time of writing, the state-level homestead exemption for school taxes in Texas is $140,000. Local taxing authorities can adopt additional homestead exemptions of up to 20 percent of an eligible property’s appraised value. If you believe that you have not received the full homestead exemption to which you are legally entitled, you should consult with an experienced Texas property tax lawyer in this scenario as well.
What is Texas’s property tax recapture system, and how does it work?
Texas’s property tax recapture system requires school districts in wealthy areas to transfer a portion of their property tax revenue to the state. The state then redistributes these funds to school districts in less-wealthy areas. While taxpayers have little say over whether their local property tax payments are recaptured, they can—and should—ensure they are not paying more than is legally required. Our lawyers can help.
When should I engage an attorney for a property tax matter in Texas?
We recommend consulting with an attorney if you have any questions about your (or your company’s) property tax liability in Texas. Texas’s property tax system is complex, and improper assessments are not uncommon. At Brown PC, we assist high-asset individuals and businesses with resolving all types of issues involving Texas property taxes statewide.
Contact the Texas Property Tax Lawyers at Brown PC
If you would like to speak with an experienced Texas property tax lawyer at Brown PC, we invite you to contact us. We assist our clients with property tax appeals, property tax incentives, and all other Texas property tax matters. Call 888-870-0025 or contact us online to request a consultation today.