Homeowners who would like to protest their property valuations have until Tuesday, May 31, to file the paperwork.
Many residents saw increases in the valuations issued by the Lubbock Central Appraisal District this year.
Gary Adrian, registered property tax consultant with Ace of Texas, said research is key to submitting a successful protest.
“You cannot go into a hearing without some information, you have to have some evidence. Just walking in and saying ‘My taxes are too high,’ is not really going to get you anywhere,” Adrian explained.
“Photographs and estimates are the most important things that you can possibly take. Give them something that they can hang their hat on, that they can sink their teeth into, to help you get your value down,” he said.
According to Tim Radloff, Chief Appraiser with LCAD, as of Wednesday, 4,345 protests were filed or informal inquiries were opened. 1,337 of those were formally scheduled for a hearing, and 1,651 had already been settled.
“Sounds pretty close to what we’re used to seeing,” Adrian said. “I think most folks can accept a few percentage points a year, you kind of have to expect the market is going to reflect a little bit of that.”
Adrian said LCAD is required to share the information to be used in the hearing.
“Let them know that you want to see the information that will be presented at the hearing. The law says that they have to provide it for you, it also says that they have to give you 14 days to take a look at it.,” he said.
“They are trying to reappraise every property in the county every year. It is a phenomenally difficult task,” he added. “They’re not the bad guys. They’re not a bunch of blood-sucking leeches. They are citizens working like everybody else.”
“Two things you need to walk into the Appraisal District with. The first is good, solid evidence, and the second is a good attitude,” Adrian explained with a smile.
