Property taxes are one of the largest line item costs for apartment owners. However, many owners don't appeal their taxes effectively. Even though owners realize that property in blue world city taxes are able to be reduced or managed through appeals, some think that taxes are an insignificant estimate provided by the government that can't effectively be challenged. It all boils down to the old adage "You can't fight city hall."

Texas offers multiple appeal options for appeals to property taxes. This process can be handled either directly by the owner or through a property consultant. It should take a considerable amount of work to appeal each year and minimize property taxes. Operating expenses for the owner could be substantially reduced by reducing the highest line item expense. Although it's impossible to entirely escape the burden of paying property taxes, it's possible to cut taxes dramatically, often between 25 and 50 percent.

Why owners don't want to appeal

Many property owners won't appeal because they aren't aware of the process or don't believe there's a chance of getting substantial tax cuts for their property. Some property owners believe that because the market value of their property exceeds the appraised value it is not possible to appeal and reduce the property tax. Even though appeals for unequal appraisals are relatively new however, there is a simple method to appeal tax owed at the administrative hearing in the event of an unequal appraisal. Unequal appraisal happens when property is assessed inconsistently against neighboring properties or similar properties. Some owners are hesitant to engage an accountant for their property, even though many consultants are willing to work on a contingency fee basis where there is no cost to the property owner unless taxes for the current year are reduced.

An overview of the appeals process

These are the primary steps in the appeals process to appeal property taxes.

* Request notification of the accessed value

* Appeal

* Be ready to hear

. Check records

. Review market value appeal

. Review unequal appraisal appeal

* Set negotiating perimeters

* Administrative hearings

* Decide whether binding arbitration or judicial appeals are necessary.

* Pay taxes on time

Requesting a notice of the assessed value

Owners of property can get a written notice of the assessed value of their property every year. Section 25.19g of the Texas Property Tax Code provides the more property owner with the ability to request a notice in writing of assessed value from the chief appraiser. Owners benefit from requesting and receiving a written notice of the assessed value for each property since it guarantees they get the chance to examine the value of their property. The notice must be issued annually. The appraisal district doesn't have to provide an assessment notice if the value increases by less than $1,000. If the owner isn't satisfied with the previous year's value, and the current value remains the same the appraisal will likely not send an assessment notice for the coming year. The owner might forget to protest, as the notification of assessed value wasn't received.