The single most common way people lose a property tax appeal is missing the deadline. When your annual assessment / valuation notice arrives, the clock starts — and the window is often short. This is the “protect my rights now, build the case next” letter to file immediately if you might appeal.
Find your deadline the day the notice arrives
The appeal deadline is on the notice itself and varies widely:
- Texas: May 15, or 30 days after the notice is delivered (whichever is later).
- California: generally July 2 – September 15 or November 30, depending on the county.
- Many other states: a fixed number of days (often 30–45) after the notice, or a set annual date.
If you’re unsure, treat it as urgent and confirm with the assessor — do not assume you have months.
The letter (file/notice of intent to appeal)
[Your full name]
[Your mailing address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[County Assessor / Appraisal District / Board of Review]
[Address]
Re: Notice of intent to appeal assessed value
Owner: [Name] Parcel / account number: [number]
Property address: [address]
Assessment notice dated: [date] Noticed value: $[amount]
To whom it may concern:
I am appealing the [year] assessed value of the property above and am filing this
within the appeal period stated on my notice. I believe the value exceeds the
property's fair market value and/or is not uniform with comparable properties.
Please accept this as my timely appeal / request for review, and advise me of:
- any official appeal form you require and where to file it,
- the schedule for an informal review and/or formal hearing, and
- the deadline to submit supporting evidence.
I will follow with supporting evidence (comparable sales, condition, and/or
unequal-appraisal data). Please confirm receipt and my filing date.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your printed name]
How to send it
Use the county’s official appeal form or portal if one exists — this letter is a backstop and a paper record. File by the deadline even if your evidence isn’t ready; you can usually submit comps and documents later, before the hearing. Send certified or via the portal and keep proof of the filing date.
Notes. Filing preserves your rights; it doesn’t pause your tax bill — keep paying to avoid penalties (see the home-page FAQ). Then build your case with the comps packet, condition argument, or unequal appraisal. Deadlines and procedures vary by jurisdiction — your notice controls. General information, not legal advice.