Dallas County Valuations and Property Tax
The Dallas County central appraisal district has begun mailing their notices of appraised value for 2010. This is the official notification to the property owner of the expected taxable value of their property. Unless contested, this appraised value will be the basis for which Dallas County and the respective property tax districts will determine your 2010 tax levy.
Preliminary reports indicate that only about 20% of the residential properties in Dallas County will see an increase in value this year. That's good news for homeowners hoping to see a lower property tax bill. However, these lower values will reduce property tax revenues for the local governments, many of which are already facing budget shortfalls. Dallas County is anticipating a $56 million budget deficit that will be only exacerbated by flat to lower property values.
Contesting in Dallas County
If you disagree with the proposed value, you or your tax agent must file a protest in writing no later than June 1, 2010. For the first time this year, homeowner's may protest their value online by locating their property on the Dallas County Appraisal District site:
After you've located your property, click the Online Protest System. Once the appraisal board receives your protest, you will be notified by mail of the date, time, & place of your hearing.
Dallas County Property Tax Rates
Keep in mind that the Appraisal District only determines the value of the property. The individual taxing jurisdictions, such as Dallas County, determine the property tax rate based on their operating budgets and the values set by the Appraisal District. As a result, you may end up with a larger property tax bill on a home with no increase in value. Given that we have little influence over property tax rates, you'll need to aggressively protest the appraised value for any hope of a property tax reduction in 2010.
