Hidalgo County Property Tax Protest — Texas

Step 1: Review how the Hidalgo County Appraisal District (HCAD) assessed your property. Errors in square footage, condition, or lot size can cause overvaluation. Check records for inaccuracies and gather documentation like repair estimates or property details to dispute any discrepancies in the county's valuation.

Step 2: Gather strong evidence supporting your claim. Recent home sales in your area, independent appraisals, and photos showing property damage can strengthen your case. If the county's assessment is based on outdated or incorrect data, proving otherwise with documentation is crucial.

Step 3: File Form 50-132, Property Owner's Notice of Protest with the ARB. A notice of protest is sufficient if it identifies the property, property owner and any subject that indicates a level of dissatisfaction with an appraisal district decision in writing.

Step 4: You may request an informal conference with the appraisal district to try to resolve your protest before the ARB hearing.

Step 5: At the formal hearing, the ARB listens to both the taxpayer and the appraisal district representative. You may discuss your objections about your property value, exemptions, special appraisal qualification and circuit breaker limitation. The ARB's decisions are binding only for the tax year in question.

Step 6: If you are dissatisfied with the ARB's findings, you have the right to appeal the ARB's decision to the state district court in the county in which the property is located. Depending on the facts and the property type, you may be able to appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) or to regular binding arbitration (RBA).