FORT WORTH (Fort Worth Business
Press) – The recently signed-into-law HB 3612 establishes a new
property tax appeals option for people whose property is appraised at over $1
million. The option will be tested in a three-year pilot program that begins
Jan. 1.
Typically, property owners appeal the assessed value to their local appraisal
review board (ARB). If still dissatisfied, they may appeal the ARB decision to
district court.
Under the new pilot program, owners of real and personal property (not
including industrial property or minerals) can instead appeal ARB decisions to
an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the State Office of Administrative
Hearings sitting in the county where the property is located. The ALJ issues a
determination within 30 days of the hearing.
The process is intended to provide a more expedient and less expensive route
for property owners to appeal ARB decision.
The pilot program will apply only to property owners in Bexar, Cameron,
Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant and Travis Counties.