Step #1 Know Your Dates
There are several important property tax dates to remember in Dallas County.
 

• January 1
  • Annual date used for tax appraisals.
• January 31
  • Last day to pay “current year” property taxes without penalty.
• January 31
  • Last day to file for Homestead Exemption on the previous two years (you must have owned and occupied your home on January 1 of the prior years you are seeking the homestead exemption).
• April 30
  • If you have moved within the last 12 months and owned/occupied your new home on January 1 of the current year, the Dallas Appraisal District prefers you submit your Homestead Exemption by April 30.
• April 30
  • Approximate date appraisal/value notices are mailed from the Dallas County Appraisal District (DCAD). (You will not receive a Notice of Value if your home valuation does not change or is lowered; however you may still protest.)
• May 1 through 31
  • Time period to file a property value/tax protest in order to be granted an informal or formal tax assessment hearing.

Step #2 Look for Appraisal Notice of Value in Your Mail

Approximately April 30 of each year, DCAD will mail your Notice of Value for your property. You WILL NOT RECEIVE Notice of Value in your mail if your home valuation DOES NOT CHANGE or is LOWERED. Beginning May 1, new property valuations are available from DCAD at www.dallascad.org.

From May 1-31, you have these options:

1. You may choose to accept the evaluation. No action is needed.
2. You may return the Notice of Value:
   1. In person to DCAD for an informal hearing; go to the DCAD Office to meet with an appraiser.
   2. Return bottom “Protest” portion of your Notice of Value or go to www.dallascad.org and click FORMS to print the “Notice of Protest” for a formal hearing. (Note forms are only available on the site annually May 1-31.)
   3. File online “Notice of Protest” via uFile for an ARB formal hearing. You will be given a date to present your case and evidence. www.dallascad.org

Tip #1 – The DCAD Office is open Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm. DCAD is also open on a couple of Saturdays in May from 8:30 – Noon. Visit www.dallascad.org  or call 214-631-0910 to check Saturday schedules. Not as many individuals go to protest on Saturdays, so waits may be shorter.

Tip #2 - If valuation issues aren’t resolved with an informal hearing, file for a “formal” hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Thus, you will have two opportunities to resolve.

Tip #3 – If you file evidence with your “Notice of Protest,” you may be able to resolve your valuation issue via phone and email conversations.

Tip #4 - You are still eligible to protest, even if you do not receive a Notice of Value in your mail – meaning DCAD did not change your home valuation or it was lowered. It is still a good idea to review comparable sales in your neighborhood to determine if the amount lowered or unchanged reflects current values.

Step #3 Gather Your Evidence

Gather Evidence prior to your Informal or Formal Hearing - Comparable Sales, Needed Maintenance/Repairs and Evaluate the Location of Your Home

1. Gather Comparable Sales for Your Home
   Comparable sales will be in the same neighborhood with similar square footage, lot size, age, amenities, and the same school district.
2. Maintenance and Repairs Needed?
   Is your home in need of maintenance and repairs? Take photos of needed repairs and price estimates to your hearing as evidence.
3. Evaluate the Location of Your Home
   Is your home located near a busy intersection, on a busy street, near power lines, etc.? Homes in these locations are sometimes eligible for a “market adjustment” of 10% to 40%. Investigate on DCAD what types of adjustments, if any, your neighbors are receiving. To investigate more visit www.dallascad.org.

Tip #5 Need an Expert Opinion? Ask a Realtor® like Christine McKenny who is able to help you with comparable sales and an expert opinion.

For more information about the process to protest your home’s valuation; visit www.dallascad.org/

To view a 14 minute video of the process; visit http://www.dallascad.org/ProtestVideo.aspx