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HOW TO SEARCH: Search the "Appraisal Roll" in Travis and Williamson Counties for your address, or look at all properties on your street by searching for your street. Forms that you will need are available on these sites, as well as information about your rights, and how to protest your taxes. Also, do not hesitate to call either tax office for information, as we have found them to be very helpful, especially early in the year prior to June 1.
WHY TWO COUNTIES?: If you are in the Leander ISD, you must address your tax situation in both your home county, Travis, and Williamson County, since Williamson is the taxing authority for Leander ISD. This includes filing for the appropriate exemptions in both counties. You should protest in Williamson first if you are in Leander ISD. Travis County, in the past, has used the Williamson County information.
Review your property information at: Travis County at http://www.traviscad.org
Review your property information at: Travis County at http://www.wcad.org
HOW TO PROTEST: FIRST CONTACT US AT INFO@TOPKWGROUP.COM and we will give you free advice and help you in the process to find the valuation of your home. This is a service that we provide FREE for you or your friends.
If you protest, be specific as to the reason(s) you are protesting. Other reasons may not be considered at your hearing if they were not indicated in your written request to protest. Provide the supporting information! Providing the right information could be enough to get the appraisal changed without your needing to appear.
Just because neighbors or comparable properties are appraised lower does not mean your protest will be successful. One must find comparable sales in 2004 as a basis, or provide specific information as to what would cause a lower valuation. You must provide quantitative information to substantiate your reason to protest as well as the value you believe the property should appraise.
Go to the tax office and ask to see an appraiser. In the past, they have provided all of the data they used to make the appraisal and they tell you why it was appraised at that value. You can make your case at that time, and try to get the appraisal changed! If that does not work, take the information, get additional information you may need, and try again at a different time with a different appraiser. If that fails, go through the normal formal protest procedures.
WHEN TO PROTEST: When you receive your Appraisal Notice, review your situation and make sure that you file your protest before the "date due" indicated on the notice. Dates may vary depending on when the notice was sent! A good time to question your appraisal is as soon as possible after you receive the notice, in person, and before your protest is submitted.
IS IT DIFFICULT TO PROTEST?: Most tax payers handle their own protest and are successful in doing so! However, some would rather have a representative do it for them. Representatives that specialize in this either bill on a contingency basis, or receive a percentage of the tax savings. The potential savings of the protest and the complexity of your protest should be considered when selecting and justifying a professional to help.
AGAIN, for addition hints and properties that you might be able to use as comparables, please email your requests to us at iNFO@TOPKWGROUP.COM . We are here to help our neighbors!
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