North Texas Property Tax Appraisal Notices Delayed By COVID-19 Pandemic

Property appraisal notices usually sent to owners on or around April 1, will be delayed this year because of closures caused by COVID-19.

Tarrant Appraisal District

The Tarrant Appraisal District just announced that they are delaying sending out property tax value notices until May 1, 2020.

Jeff Law, chief appraiser for the Tarrant Appraisal District, states that TAD will honor protest filings up to June 1, 2020. The appraisals will be based on local market data as of January 1, 2020. But if the local market data presented to TAD that indicates the current health crisis has impacted your market value as of January 1, that information may be taken into consideration.

TAD encourages people to file their protests online at tad.org because that would be the safest and healthiest approach for everyone.

On a side note, taxing entities are also asking to delay the implementation of Senate Bill 2 rate caps. The Senate Bill 2 provision  attempts to constrain school district property taxes. In the meantime, it is still up in the air until the stay at home orders are lifted.

Dallas Central Appraisal District 

The Dallas Central Appraisal District is planning to mail Real Property Appraisal Notices on May 15, with a June 15 protest deadline date assuming the Shelter In Place Declaration is not extended. The earliest the protest deadline will be for properties in Dallas County is June 15 (not May 15).

While DCAD’s physical office is closed until April 30 due to the Shelter In Place Declaration, DCAD is still conducting business remotely.

For 2020, it’s highly likely that there will be no face-to-face informals, so everyone is encouraged to use their online programs to conduct business remotely. Tax consultants will be advised in early May on how the exchange of information will be handled during the 2020 ARB Process. Please note that before DCAD will engage in any remote value discussions with agents or owners, they will first need to file a protest for 2020. DCAD encourage everyone who intends to file a 2020 protest to file the protest as soon as possible so that we can begin the process of value settlement discussions. 

With regard to the BPP Rendition deadline, which has been extended to May 15 for all, DCAD suggest to use the Online BPP Rendition system or send your BPP renditions electronically as opposed to sending them via the US Mail. Also, please file sooner than later so they have ample time to review and process them. If you have already mailed them through the US mail, then if possible please e-mail a PDF of your filings so they can process them electronically and the staff can review them remotely. The BPP e-mail address is bppcs@dcad.org.

Denton County Appraisal District

The Denton County Appraisal District will start mailing out the notices in the last week of April. They are encouraging online or by-phone appeal process. 

Collin County Appraisal District

Collin County also has no set dates in mailing out value notices.

What to Expect

The protest process may look completely different this year. The appraisal districts are still trying to figure out how they can legally reorganize the entire system to allow avenues to protest and come to an agreement of a fair value without having to appear in person.

Since the proposed values are going to be the values based on the local market data as of January 1, 2020, more people may want to protest a higher value this year to keep their taxes from increasing significantly.

The appraisal districts are making health their primary concern. They want to do what they can to avoid in-person protests as much as possible. They are going to be as generous as they can justify.

Tax Protest Advice

It is highly encouraged to use the downtime to start collecting estimates from contractors about repairs that may need to be done. You should take photos and become well-acquainted with the condition of your house so you are ready when it is time to protest.

If the appraisal districts are willing to settle and it is fair or close to fair, please accept it. Remember that you owe it to you and your family to make sure the value is reasonable.