30 Days Until the Deadline: Your Property Tax Protest Countdown Begins

The clock is officially ticking for Harris County property owners. With exactly 30 days remaining until the May 15th protest deadline, now is the time to begin preparing your property tax protest strategy. Whether you've just received your notice of appraised value or you've been putting off taking action, this 30-day countdown plan will ensure you're ready to submit a compelling protest before time runs out.

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Why Starting Early Matters

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While 30 days might seem like plenty of time, properly preparing a successful property tax protest requires research, evidence gathering, and strategic planning. According to our data:

• Property owners who begin their protest process at least 3 weeks before the deadline achieve a reduction by being prepared
• Those who wait until the last minute end up unprepared or unable to protest
• Unprepared homeowners may have to attend a Formal hearing and have less time to prepare their evidence.

The difference comes down to preparation time, evidence quality, and access to resources that become increasingly scarce as the deadline approaches.

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Your 30-Day Countdown Plan

We've broken down the protest process into manageable weekly tasks to help you stay on track and maximize your chances of success.

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Week 1 (April 15-21): Assessment & Research

Review your notice and research comparable properties in your neighborhood.

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Week 2 (April 22-28): Evidence Collection

Gather evidence! Create a spreadsheet of comparable properties, take photos of any issues with your home, and get repair estimates.

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Week 3 (April 29-May 5): Protest Preparation

Prepare your argument and organize your evidence package.

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Week 4 (May 6-15): Finalization & Submission

Finalize everything and submit your protest online, by mail, or in person.

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Property tax protests require methodical preparation and compelling evidence. Don't wait until the last minute! Data shows homeowners who start at least 3 weeks before the deadline have better success rates. Time to get started! 💪

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What Happens After You File

Once your protest is filed, you can expect:

1. Confirmation of receipt (immediate for online, 1-2 weeks for mail)
2. Settlement offer (Some protests receive pre-hearing settlement offers)
3. Hearing notice (Typically scheduled a few weeks after filing)
4. Informal hearing (Optional in-person meeting with an appraiser)
5. **Formal ARB hearing

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Have you begun preparing your property tax protest? What strategies have worked for you in previous years?

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.

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