Harris County Property Tax Appeals Save $1.11 Billion Per Year
If the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) does not settle a property tax protest at the informal level, it moves to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) level. $7.12 billion in taxable value was reduced in ARB hearings in 2024, leading to savings of $149.57 million for Harris County taxpayers. When combined with informal and judicial appeals, formal hearings created $1.11 billion in savings, a new record. Appealing your taxes is free, and they can never be raised. It is your right as a Texan to protest inflated property taxes. Join O’Connor’s Property Tax Protection Program™ today and begin your road to reduced property taxes. No flat fees and only pay when you save. Enroll, relax, and save.
Protests with Written ARB DeterminationSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Thousands | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| Total protests | 136.000 | 128.193 | 111.968 | 117.542 | 129.717 | 138.644 | 119.084 | 133.975 | 133.887 | 112.017 | 83.515 | |
| Protests single family residential | 98.887 | 93.494 | 75.576 | 80.651 | 91.252 | 97.955 | 78.079 | 92.952 | 95.834 | 77.631 | 53.384 | |
| Protests with all other | 37.113 | 34.699 | 36.392 | 36.891 | 38.465 | 40.689 | 41.005 | 41.023 | 38.053 | 34.386 | 30.131 | |
Texas property owners should protest annually since Hearing results depend on the appraiser assigned or the ARB; results vary widely. You do not know the appraiser or ARB panel prior to appealing.
Harris County Protests with Written ARB Determination
If a taxpayer in Harris County wants to protest their property taxes in a formal manner, they must appeal to an appraisal review board (ARB). The ARB is made up of attorneys, tax experts, and other luminaries that have an insight into the value of properties. They are to be the impartial arbiters between the property owner and the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD). 83,515 Harris County residents had formal hearings in 2024, the lowest in a decade. This fall corresponds with higher informal and judicial appeals, meaning protests are being resolved elsewhere.
ARB hearings can be intimidating for people, and that is where O’Connor steps in. For 50 years, O’Connor has been the property tax consulting firm of choice for Harris County residents. Based in Houston, O’Connor has the local knowhow, understanding, and the employees to deal with HCAD and the board.
HCAD Protests by Property Type
Harris County sticks with the typical arrangement in tax protests, in that there are more residential appeals compared to commercial ones. 63.92% of appeals were for single family homes. Residential parcels outnumber commercial parcels, translating into more residential appeals.
The reverse is true when it comes to the total value saved by appealing to the ARB though, as commercial properties are vastly more valuable than residential ones. While single family homes make up the majority of appeals, businesses have far more to gain by going to a formal hearing. Residential formal hearings have been falling in the past few years, which has brought down the total number of appeals. Businesses have been slowing as well, though not to the sharp extent of homes. 30,131 businesses appealed formally in 2024.
Harris County ARB Decisions with a ReductionSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Thousands | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| Total | 104.664 | 102.979 | 73.825 | 73.446 | 87.993 | 102.540 | 86.395 | 97.466 | 102.470 | 82.589 | 56.879 | |
| Single Family Residential | 78.641 | 79.604 | 49.577 | 49.044 | 61.674 | 74.303 | 59.221 | 70.850 | 79.163 | 60.441 | 37.921 | |
| Commercial / All Other | 26.023 | 23.375 | 24.248 | 24.402 | 26.320 | 28.237 | 27.174 | 26.616 | 23.307 | 22.148 | 18.958 | |
Texas property owners should protest annually since An annual appeal is an insurance policy to avoid major increases.
Harris County ARB Decisions with a Reduction
Harris County has seen an increase in informal appeals over the past decade, but ARB hearings have swung up and down. 2024 saw 56,879 hearings with a reduction, compared to 82,598 in 2023. 37,921 single family homeowners had a reduction in 2024, along with 18,958 commercial or other properties. The county has seen a massive rise in judicial appeals and other lawsuits, which are typically used if the ARB fails to grant a reduction or offers one lower than desired.
Percent That Resulted in A ReductionSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Percent | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| Total Reduction | 77% | 80% | 66% | 62% | 68% | 74% | 73% | 73% | 77% | 74% | 68% | |
| Single Family Residential | 80% | 85% | 66% | 61% | 68% | 76% | 76% | 76% | 83% | 78% | 71% | |
| Commercial / All Other | 70% | 67% | 67% | 66% | 68% | 69% | 66% | 65% | 61% | 64% | 63% | |
Texas property owners should protest annually since To ensure their property taxes are at the lowest possible level.
Percent That Resulted in A Reduction
While 88.62% of informal property tax appeals in 2024 saw a reduction for property owners in Harris County, ARB appeals were more conservative. Due to the official nature of the hearings, there is more scrutiny of evidence and a higher threshold to cross. Still, 68% of hearings ended in a reduction for taxpayers. 71% of homeowners got a tax cut, while commercial properties won a reduction 63% of the time. Businesses largely saw the same success they did in 2023, while homes fell from a win rate of 78%.
Value Reduction From Written ARB DeterminationsSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Billions of $ | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| Total $ Reduction | 10.192 | 10.590 | 11.293 | 10.959 | 10.842 | 11.135 | 11.429 | 10.282 | 9.874 | 9.674 | 7.122 | |
| Single Family Residential | 2.441 | 2.948 | 1.680 | 1.570 | 1.208 | 1.615 | 2.022 | 2.244 | 2.456 | 1.910 | 1.133 | |
| Commercial / All Other | 7.752 | 7.642 | 9.613 | 9.390 | 9.634 | 9.520 | 9.407 | 8.038 | 7.418 | 7.764 | 5.990 | |
Texas property owners should protest annually since Unequal appraisal allows protests based on neighbors having a better tax assessment.
HCAD Dollar Value Reduction from ARB Hearings
ARB hearings brought in extensive cuts for Harris County taxpayers in 2024. $7.12 billion was reduced in total property value thanks to formal appeals. Homeowners saw a cut of $1.13 billion, while commercial property owners saw a staggering $5.99 billion reduced in value. Both were considerably lower than the 2023 total of $9.67 billion.