If your Fort Bend County assessment is too high, protesting Fort Bend County property taxes will save you a buck and lighten some of the load. Your Fort Bend County assessment is calculated by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District (FBCAD) each year and affects the tax rate which you will have to pay. The following is a step-by-step process to assist you in protesting Fort Bend County property taxes.

Step 1: Read Your Appraisal Notice

The first step to filing a Fort Bend County property tax protest is to review your appraisal notice carefully. The notice will indicate the appraised value of your house. If you disagree with the value, you must search for any errors in property details such as faulty square footage, property features, or additions. If you detect any discrepancies, now is the time to file a protest.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

In order to bolster your protest, gather evidence that will prove that your property is over-assessed. The evidence can be current comparable sales, photographs of the damage to your property, or an independent appraisal of a reduced market value. The more persuasive the evidence, the greater will be your potential for success with your protest.

Step 3: File Your Protest

You must protest your Fort Bend County property tax by May 15 or 30 days after the day you received your notice of appraisal. You can protest online, by mail, or in person. Ensure you provide all the necessary documents and evidence when protesting.

Step 4: Attend the Hearing

If your protest isn't resolved informally, you'll attend a hearing in an official context in front of the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Declare openly and vocally and enter evidence to support your argument to decrease your property's appraisal. 

By acting aggressively and protesting your Fort Bend County property tax, you may potentially decrease your property's value, decrease your assessment, and be able to save some cash.