Deadline approaching for property tax protests
Falls County property owners who wish to protest their property tax appraisals have until May 15 to file a formal protest with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The protest process is designed to give residents the opportunity to dispute appraised market values, exemptions, special appraisals, and other property-related determinations made by the Falls County Appraisal District (CAD).
Taxpayers can file a protest if they believe their property is over-appraised, if it is unequally appraised compared with other properties, or if there are errors in ownership, land use, or exemption status. Other protestable issues include the denial of agricultural or timber exemptions and problems related to the application of appraisal caps.
For an information review, contact the Falls County Appraisal District at (254)8832543 to discuss any changes in your property evaluation prior to mailing a formal protest in.
If you cannot resolve your problem informally with the CAD, you have the right to have your case heard by the Appraisal Review Board.
The ARB is an independent board of citizens that hears and determines protests regarding property appraisals or other concerns listed above. It has the power to order the CAD to make the necessary changes based on evidence heard during the ARB hearing.
If you file a written request for an ARB hearing (notice of protest) before the deadline, the ARB will set your case for a hearing and send you written notice of the time, date, place and subject of the hearing. If necessary, you may request a hearing in the evening or on a Saturday. You may use Comptroller Form 50-132, Property Appraisal - Notice of Protest, to file your written request for an ARB hearing.
After a hearing has been set, documentation and evidence must be provided at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing date. Evidence may be submitted in person or by mail, as well as through digital formats such as CD, USB flash drive, or secure email—though submissions via cell phone are discouraged.
During the hearing, both the property owner and a CAD representative will present evidence to support their positions. ARB members are required to remain neutral and cannot discuss the case outside of the formal hearing.
If a property owner is dissatisfied with the ARB’s ruling, they have additional avenues for appeal, including filing with the district court, requesting binding arbitration, or appealing to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of receiving the ARB’s written order of determination.
Taxpayers may also protest if they believe the CAD failed to properly notify them of an increase in appraised value or if the property has undergone a qualifying change—such as the loss of agricultural valuation. In these cases, special protest deadlines apply, including a 30-day window from the date of determination notice.
More information is available by contacting the Falls County Appraisal District at 300 Crockett Street in Marlin or by visiting www. fallscad.net. Property owners can also visit the Texas Comptroller’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/ property-tax for guidance and downloadable protest forms.