Bexar County homeowners unhappy with this year’s property valuation have only days left to fight it before the protest deadline expires. Filing an appeal by May 15 could lower a home’s taxable value — and potentially shave hundreds off next year’s tax bill.
For most Bexar County homeowners, the deadline to file is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice was mailed. Residents can find protest forms, property records and filing information through the Bexar Appraisal District website.
Every spring, the Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD) sends homeowners a notice estimating the market value of their property. That value is used by school districts, cities and counties to calculate property taxes.
A higher appraised value generally means a higher tax bill.
Some common issues include incorrect square footage, failure to account for damage or needed repairs and appraisals significantly higher than comparable nearby homes.
Homeowners should also compare their appraised value to recent sales of similar homes in their neighborhood.
Bexar County homeowners can file a protest in several ways:
After a protest is submitted, BCAD may schedule an informal meeting with an appraiser to discuss the valuation. In some cases, an agreement is reached at that stage.
If no agreement is reached, the homeowner can proceed to a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, an independent panel that hears disputes between property owners and the appraisal district. Hearings can often be conducted in person, by affidavit or remotely.