What Is Informal Review?

An optional first step in the appeal process where a property owner discusses their assessment directly with the assessor's office before filing a formal appeal.

Detailed Explanation

An informal review is an off-the-record meeting or phone call between a property owner and the assessor's office, conducted before a formal appeal is filed. Many states and counties encourage this step because it can resolve disputes quickly without tying up hearing board resources. In Texas, the informal review is a structured part of the protest process. After you file your protest with the appraisal district, you are scheduled for an informal meeting with an appraiser before your formal Appraisal Review Board hearing. During this meeting, you present your comparable sales and evidence, and the appraiser can offer a settlement. If you agree on a value, the case is resolved and you never go to the ARB. If you cannot reach agreement, you proceed to the formal hearing. In Illinois, the informal review is less structured. You can contact the township assessor's office to discuss your assessment before filing with the Board of Review. Some assessors are willing to make corrections during this conversation, especially if there is a factual error like incorrect square footage. The informal review is worth attempting in almost every case. It costs nothing, takes less time than a formal hearing, and gives you a preview of how the assessor's office views your case. Even if you do not reach a settlement, you learn what evidence the assessor is relying on, which helps you prepare for the formal hearing. The key is to bring the same evidence you would bring to a formal appeal: comparable sales, photos of property condition issues, and any documentation of errors in the property record. One thing worth knowing before you agree to anything: in Texas, signing an informal settlement is binding for that tax year. It resolves your protest, but it also means you give up your right to take the same year's case to the ARB, so evaluate any offer on its merits rather than accepting simply to avoid the formal hearing.

How It Varies by State

TexasBuilt into the protest process

After filing a protest, you meet with a CAD appraiser before your ARB hearing. Most Texas protests are resolved at this informal stage. Signing a settlement is binding and waives that year's ARB hearing right.

IllinoisInformal, county-dependent

Homeowners can contact the township assessor before filing with the Board of Review. Some assessors are receptive to corrections at this stage, particularly for factual errors.

GeorgiaInformal conference option

Many Georgia counties allow an informal conference with the Board of Tax Assessors before a formal appeal to the Board of Equalization (or the hearing officer/arbitration alternatives). This is often where simple errors are caught.

New JerseyNo formal step, but common in practice

New Jersey does not have a formal informal review step, but homeowners can contact the municipal assessor to discuss their assessment. Corrections for factual errors may be made without a formal appeal.

OhioInformal contact with the auditor

Ohio allows informal contact with the county auditor before filing a complaint with the Board of Revision. Auditors can sometimes correct errors without a formal proceeding.

Common Misconceptions

Myth:The informal review is a waste of time because the assessor will never lower my value

Reality:In Texas, the majority of protests are resolved at the informal stage. Nationwide, assessor offices regularly make corrections during informal reviews, especially when the homeowner brings solid evidence.

Myth:Accepting an informal settlement means I cannot appeal further

Reality:In most states, accepting an informal settlement is final for that tax year. However, you can always appeal in future years. In Texas, if you sign a settlement agreement, you waive your right to an ARB hearing for that year, so only accept if the offer is fair.

Myth:I do not need to prepare for an informal review

Reality:The informal review is your first and sometimes best chance to make your case. Bring comparable sales printouts, photos, and any documentation of errors. Treating it casually means missing an opportunity to resolve your case quickly.

Myth:I can accept an informal settlement now and still take my case to the formal hearing if I change my mind

Reality:In Texas specifically, signing an informal settlement is binding for that tax year and waives your right to an ARB hearing on the same protest. Treat any offer as final before you sign, not as a placeholder you can revisit.

Impact on Your Tax Bill

A Texas homeowner's property is appraised at $425,000 by the CAD. They file a protest and bring 5 comparable sales averaging $385,000 to the informal review. The appraiser agrees to settle at $390,000. At an effective tax rate of about 1.8%, the $35,000 reduction saves $630 per year in property taxes, resolved in a single 15-minute meeting without ever going to the ARB.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the informal review worth doing, or should I go straight to a formal hearing?

It is almost always worth attempting. It costs nothing, takes less time than a formal hearing, and even when it does not resolve your case, it shows you what evidence the assessor's office is relying on, which helps you prepare for the formal stage.

If I accept an informal settlement, can I still go to a formal hearing?

Generally no, at least not for that tax year. In Texas specifically, signing an informal settlement waives your right to an ARB hearing on the same protest. Evaluate any offer as a final decision, not a placeholder.

What should I bring to an informal review?

The same evidence you would bring to a formal hearing: comparable sales printouts, photos documenting any condition issues, and documentation of any factual errors in the county's property record.

Does every state offer a formal informal review process?

No. Some states, like Texas, build it directly into the protest process. Others, like New Jersey, have no formal step but still allow homeowners to informally contact the assessor to discuss or correct factual errors.

How to Appeal Your Property Taxes: The Complete Guide (2026)

Learn how to appeal your property taxes step by step. Covers assessment ratios, comparable sales evidence, filing deadlines by state, and what to say at your hearing.

Related Terms

Property Tax Appeal Appeal Hearing

Relevant State Guides

TexasTX

100% assessment ratio

IllinoisIL

33.33% assessment ratio

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