Preparing for Your ARB Hearing: How to Protest Your Property Tax Value and Win with Dawn Walior

Preparing for Your ARB Hearing: How to Protest Your Property Tax Value and Win with Dawn Walior

This week on the ITC Tax Podcast, Dawn walks through exactly what to do after you file a property tax protest in Texas. From requesting evidence to spotting errors in the appraisal district's records, she breaks down the entire ARB process in a way that makes it approachable for any property owner, whether you are protesting real estate or business personal property. Dawn explains the difference between informal and formal hearings, why uniform and equal arguments often produce the biggest wins, and how to gather the right documentation to support your case. She shares a real client example where a simple comparison to a neighboring property delivered a $7,000 tax savings, proof that showing up and protesting can pay off in a real way. If you have ever felt intimidated by the appraisal review board or assumed the system was stacked against you, this episode is your roadmap. Dawn makes it clear: the ARB is built for everyday property owners, the appraisers expect protests, and the remedies available after a formal hearing only exist if you go through the process. #PropertyTax #ITCTax #TaxStrategy #TaxCompliance #BusinessTaxes #TexasTax #TaxExemptions #TaxSavings #BusinessPersonalProperty #SmallBusiness #ARBHearing #PropertyTaxProtest #AppraisalDistrict Key Takeaways ● Always request the appraisal district's evidence after filing a protest. The tax code requires them to deliver it at least 14 days before your hearing, and if they fail to provide it, they cannot use it against you at the ARB. ● For real estate protests, verify the physical characteristics on file, square footage, amenities, and condition, then gather photos, repair quotes, and maintenance records to support a lower value. ● A uniform and equal argument means your property must be appraised the same way as comparable neighbors. Lot value per square foot is one of the easiest places to spot inequity. ● For business personal property, review the depreciation schedules carefully. Check that costs are accurate, economic lives are reasonable, and non-taxable items like software are not being appraised. ● Idle, obsolete, or underutilized equipment should be flagged with evidence such as scrap value, repair costs, or utilization data to bring the assessed value down. ● Ask for an informal meeting with the appraiser before the formal hearing. Most disputes are settled at this stage, and one taxpayer saw his $500,000 building value drop to match a neighbor's $110,000 valuation, a $7,000 tax savings. ● If you rendered assets you should not have, like software, intangibles, or leasehold improvements already captured in real estate, it is not too late to correct it after the notice of value comes out. ● Protests must be filed within 30 days of receiving your notice of value. For real estate without a notice, the deadline is May 15. For business personal property, it is 30 days from the date on the letter or the date received, whichever is earlier. ● The formal ARB hearing is run by three of your peers from the county, not the appraisal district. It is structured but friendly, and going through it preserves your right to additional remedies afterward. Connect ● ITC Tax Podcast: https://www.itctax.com Mentioned in this episode: Optimize Your Property Tax! ITC Tax [https://itc-tax.captivate.fm/itctax]

How to Protest Your Property Tax Valuation in Texas with John Brusniak

This week on the ITC Tax Podcast, Mark sits down with the Honorable John Brusniak, one of Texas's most prominent property tax attorneys, who has been litigating property tax cases since the state's tax code was adopted in 1982. John walks through exactly why every property owner should file, what a protest needs to contain, and the procedural moves that quietly determine whether you win or lose at the appraisal review board. John explains the three most common grounds for protest, the new $125,000 business personal property exemption, and a critical mailing change that took effect last Christmas Eve. He also breaks down the burden of proof in Texas, how to use photographs as evidence, and why an informal conference before your hearing is often your best shot at a settlement. Spoiler: roughly 60 to 70 percent of taxpayers who protest get a reduction. For owners weighing what to do after the appraisal review board rules, John lays out all three appeal paths, district court, binding arbitration, and the State Office of Administrative Hearings, including the deadlines, dollar thresholds, and one rule that can sink your appeal entirely if you ignore it. If your notice of appraised value just hit your desk, this is the conversation to listen to before you act. #PropertyTax #ITCTax #TaxStrategy #TaxCompliance #BusinessTaxes #TexasTax #TaxExemptions #TaxSavings #BusinessPersonalProperty #SmallBusiness #PropertyTaxProtest #TexasPropertyTax #AppraisalDistrict Key Takeaways ● Filing a protest protects your legal rights. Skip the deadline and you forfeit your chance to challenge anything the appraisal district does with your property that year. ● The three most common grounds for protest are excessive market value, unequal appraisal compared to similar properties, and missed exemptions, including the new $125,000 business personal property exemption now available in Texas. ● If you did not receive a notice of value, file a protective protest anyway. Appraisal districts are not required to send a notice when nothing changed from the prior year, and waiting can cost you your appeal rights. ● The U.S. Postal Service no longer cancels mail the day you drop it off. To lock in your filing date, walk your protest into the post office and ask the clerk to hand cancel the envelope across the postage stamp. ● Always check the box requesting the appraisal district's evidence. It gives you a 15-day preview of their case and legally freezes their testimony so they cannot introduce anything new at the hearing. ● Always request an informal conference. It is your best opportunity to settle before the appraisal review board, and panels are skeptical of taxpayers who have not tried to resolve their disputes. ● Texas law places the burden of proof on the appraisal district for value and equity protests, but appraisal review boards still expect physical evidence. Bring photographs, use close-ups, and document damage in detail. ● Your property value cannot be raised as a result of a protest hearing, but anything you testify to under oath can be used against you in future years, including omitted property the district was previously unaware of. ● Top-line agreements let you bypass the appraisal review board entirely while preserving your right to appeal to a higher authority. ● Appeals after the ARB ruling include state district court (60 days, any property), binding arbitration through the Comptroller (60 days, up to $5 million non-homestead), and the State Office of Administrative Hearings (30 days, $1 million minimum). To preserve your appeal, you must pay at least the tax amount you admit you owe. ● Roughly 60 to 70 percent of taxpayers who protest receive some value reduction. The odds favor filing. Connect ● ITC Tax Podcast: https://www.itctax.com ● ITC Tax on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/itc-tax ● Mark Dzeda, Host, ITC Tax: https://www.itctax.com Mentioned in this episode: Optimize Your Property Tax! ITC Tax [https://itc-tax.captivate.fm/itctax]

Heavy Equipment, Smart Taxes: Strategies to Reduce Your Property Tax Burden

This week, host Stephen Shaw sits down with Kyle Hanson, a seasoned property tax consultant, to explore the ins and outs of dealer heavy equipment and its impact on business personal property tax assessments. Kyle breaks down how businesses can strategically leverage tax provisions to reduce liabilities on heavy equipment, what qualifies for reduced assessments, and the critical filing rules to avoid penalties. They also dive into recent legislative changes, including the move from monthly to quarterly filings, aimed at simplifying the process for businesses. Key Takeaways 1. Understand how dealer heavy equipment affects business personal property tax assessments. 2. Learn which types of heavy equipment qualify for reduced tax rates. 3. Discover filing protocols that protect your business from penalties. 4. Get clarity on recent legislative changes from monthly to quarterly filings. Resources Learn more and connect with the ITC Tax team at itctax.com [https://itctax.com/]. Mentioned in this episode: Optimize Your Property Tax! ITC Tax [https://itc-tax.captivate.fm/itctax]

The New $125,000 Texas BPP Exemption: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know with Dawn Walior and Trudie Nguyen

This week on the ITC Tax Podcast, Trudie sits down with Dawn to break down the brand-new Texas business personal property exemption that took effect in January 2026. Passed through House Bill 9, this exemption automatically removes the first $125,000 of value per location, per taxing jurisdiction, simplifying filing for small businesses and reducing the compliance burden across the board. Dawn walks through how the exemption works for single locations, multi-location owners, leased property, and related entities, plus what to watch for as appraisal districts figure out implementation in year one. If you own business personal property in Texas, this episode is essential listening. #PropertyTax #ITCTax #TaxStrategy #TaxCompliance #BusinessTaxes #TexasTax #TaxExemptions #TaxSavings #BusinessPersonalProperty #SmallBusiness Key Takeaways ● House Bill 9 created a new automatic exemption for the first $125,000 of business personal property value, effective for the 2026 tax year. ● The exemption applies per location and per taxing jurisdiction, so businesses with multiple sites can claim it at each one. ● If your total BPP value at a location is $125,000 or less, you simply check a box on the new rendition form and skip the detailed asset listing entirely. ● Many counties will not require you to file a rendition the following year if your value stays under the threshold, but check with your county or ITC Tax to confirm. ● Leased property is treated differently: the $125,000 exemption applies to the aggregate value across all leased assets in a jurisdiction, not per location. ● Related entities at the same location only receive the exemption once, preventing businesses from splitting into smaller entities to multiply the benefit. ● Appraisal districts are still working out implementation details in this first year, so watch your notice of value carefully and protest if anything looks wrong. Resources House Bill 9, passed by the Texas Legislature, creating the business personal property exemption effective January 2026. Learn more and connect with the ITC Tax team at www.itctax.com. This show was produced with the production help of www.truthworkmedia.com Mentioned in this episode: Optimize Your Property Tax! ITC Tax [https://itc-tax.captivate.fm/itctax]

Texas Property Tax Exemptions: The Savings You Might Be Missing with Dawn Walior and Trudie Nguyen

In this episode, Dawn Walior and Trudie Nguyen walk us through the most commonly missed property tax exemptions in Texas — and how they can translate into significant savings for your business. From the Freeport exemption to pollution control and the newer biomedical exemption, learn what you may be leaving on the table, how to apply, and the critical deadlines you need to know. Plus, an important warning about recent changes to USPS mail processing that could affect your filings. Key Takeaways: - The Freeport exemption is one of the most frequently missed opportunities — even if you think your inventory doesn't qualify, it's worth a closer look. - Inventory that ships to a local Texas client may still qualify for Freeport if that client ships it out of state within 175 days. - You can choose a September 1 inventory valuation date instead of January 1 — a smart move if your inventory is lower in the fall. - Pollution control exemptions apply more broadly than most people realize — any equipment required to meet regulatory standards may qualify, and the exemption lasts as long as you own the equipment. - The biomedical exemption is relatively new and exempts machinery, equipment, and finished goods for biomedical companies. - There are no application fees for filing exemptions with the appraisal district. The only fee is for TCEQ pollution control use-of-determination reviews. - New legislative change: if you extend your rendition deadline to May 15, your Freeport exemption application is now automatically extended to May 15 as well. Resources: Visit www.itctax.com for questions about Texas property tax exemptions and compliance. #PropertyTax #TexasTax #FreeportExemption #PollutionControl #BiomedicalExemption #TaxCompliance #ITCTax #TaxExemptions #TexasBusiness #PropertyTaxSavings #TaxDeadlines #InventoryTax Mentioned in this episode: Optimize Your Property Tax! ITC Tax [https://itc-tax.captivate.fm/itctax]