What to Say at Your Property Tax Hearing: 3 Ready-to-Use Scripts

You've filed your protest, gathered your evidence, and your hearing is scheduled. Now the question: what do you actually SAY?

Most homeowners hit a wall right here. The process makes sense on paper, but when you picture yourself on a Zoom call with an appraiser or a review panel, the words disappear. That's normal. And it's fixable.

Below are three ready-to-use scripts you can customize for your property. Fill in the bracketed sections with your own numbers, print them out, and read directly from them during your hearing. Nobody expects you to memorize anything. Eighty-two percent of homeowners who bring equity evidence to their ARB hearing walk out with a reduction. Having a clear script puts you in that majority.

Before You Start: How the Hearing Actually Works

A few things to know so the format doesn't catch you off guard:

The setup. Most hearings are 15-minute videoconferences via Cisco WebEx. You'll either meet one-on-one with an appraiser (an informal hearing) or present to a three-member Appraisal Review Board panel (a formal ARB hearing). Both follow the same basic flow.

What you do. You share your screen, walk through your evidence, and make your case. The appraiser or panel members ask questions. Then they decide.

The argument you're making. You're making an "unequal appraisal" argument under Texas Tax Code Section 41.43(b)(3). In plain English: your property is assessed higher per square foot than comparable properties in your area, and the assessment should be brought in line. You're not arguing about the tax rate. You're not arguing about market conditions. You're saying your property is taxed unfairly compared to your neighbors.

The ground rules. Be polite. Stick to your data. Don't get emotional. You have the facts on your side — that's enough.

⚠

Check-in requirement (do NOT skip this)

You must check in at owners.hcad.org at least 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing time. If you don't, your protest will be dismissed automatically — no exceptions. For remote hearings, you'll receive a text or email one hour before your time with a link to check in. Plan to be available for up to 2 hours after checking in, as wait times vary.

1

The Standard Equity Argument

This is the most common scenario and the one that wins 82% of the time. You have your comparable properties lined up, your numbers are solid, and you're walking the panel through a straightforward case.

Your Opening Statement

"Good morning/afternoon. My name is [YOUR NAME], and I'm the owner of [YOUR PROPERTY ADDRESS]. I'm here to protest my property's appraised value for the [CURRENT TAX YEAR] tax year.

My property is currently assessed at [YOUR ASSESSED $/SQFT] per square foot, for a total appraised value of [YOUR TOTAL APPRAISED VALUE]. I've identified [NUMBER, e.g., five] comparable properties in [YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD/SUBDIVISION] that are similar in size, age, and quality grade, and they're assessed at an average of [COMP AVERAGE $/SQFT] per square foot.

I'm making an unequal appraisal argument under Texas Tax Code Section 41.43(b)(3). I'd like to walk you through my comparables."

Presenting Your Comp Grid

"I'd like to share my screen and walk you through five comparable properties. Each one is in my neighborhood, has the same quality grade of [YOUR QUALITY GRADE], and is within twenty percent of my home's square footage and within ten years of my home's age.

Starting with the first comparable:

[COMP 1 ADDRESS] — [COMP 1 SQFT] square feet, quality grade [COMP 1 GRADE], assessed at [COMP 1 $/SQFT] per square foot.
[COMP 2 ADDRESS] — [COMP 2 SQFT] square feet, quality grade [COMP 2 GRADE], assessed at [COMP 2 $/SQFT] per square foot.
[COMP 3 ADDRESS] — [COMP 3 SQFT] square feet, quality grade [COMP 3 GRADE], assessed at [COMP 3 $/SQFT] per square foot.
[COMP 4 ADDRESS] — [COMP 4 SQFT] square feet, quality grade [COMP 4 GRADE], assessed at [COMP 4 $/SQFT] per square foot.
[COMP 5 ADDRESS] — [COMP 5 SQFT] square feet, quality grade [COMP 5 GRADE], assessed at [COMP 5 $/SQFT] per square foot.

The average assessed value across these comparables is [COMP AVERAGE $/SQFT] per square foot. My property is assessed at [YOUR ASSESSED $/SQFT] per square foot — that's [DIFFERENCE] per square foot higher, or roughly [PERCENTAGE]% above the average for comparable homes."

Your Closing Statement

"Based on these comparables, I'm requesting my assessed value be adjusted to [REQUESTED $/SQFT] per square foot, which would bring my total appraised value to [REQUESTED TOTAL VALUE]. This aligns my assessment with similar properties in my area and satisfies the equitable appraisal standard under Texas Tax Code Section 41.43(b)(3).

Thank you for your time."

2

Responding to the Appraiser's Counter-Arguments

Sometimes the appraiser or panel pushes back. That's part of the process — it doesn't mean you're losing. Here's how to handle the four most common objections without getting flustered.

Pushback: "Your property has features these comps don't."

"I appreciate that point, and I want to make sure we're comparing accurately. I selected comps with the same quality grade of [YOUR QUALITY GRADE] and similar square footage. Could you identify which specific feature you believe warrants the higher assessment? If there's something recorded on my property that's inaccurate, I'd like to address that."

Why this works: You're not arguing. You're asking them to be specific. Often they can't point to a concrete difference, and the objection fades. If they do name something — a pool, a garage conversion, an extra bathroom — you can address it directly or note that the feature is either shared by your comps or incorrectly recorded.

Pushback: "We used different comps."

"I'd like to understand your methodology. Can you share which comparables you used and why they're more appropriate than mine? My comps are within the same neighborhood, within twenty percent of my square footage, within ten years of my home's age, and carry the same quality grade. I chose them to match as closely as possible."

Why this works: You're putting the burden of proof back where it belongs. If their comps are in a different subdivision, a different size range, or a different quality grade, you can point that out calmly. Your selection criteria are defensible and consistent.

Pushback: "The market supports this value."

"I understand market conditions, and I know values have moved in our area. But my argument today isn't about market value — it's about equitable treatment. Under Section 41.43(b)(3), I'm comparing my assessment to similar properties in my neighborhood. If the market has gone up, it should be reflected equally across comparable homes, not disproportionately on mine."

Why this works: This is the most common misdirection you'll face. The appraiser shifts the conversation to market value because it's harder to argue against. Bringing it back to equity — your assessment versus your neighbors' assessments — keeps the focus where it belongs.

Pushback: "Your improvements justify the difference."

"The quality grade on my property is [YOUR QUALITY GRADE], which is the same as the comps I've presented. If there's an improvement record that's incorrect or if there's a feature attributed to my property that doesn't exist, I'd like to have that reviewed. Can you show me which specific improvement is driving the difference?"

Why this works: Improvement records at HCAD aren't always accurate. Extra bathrooms that don't exist, garage conversions that never happened, square footage miscalculations — these are common. Asking the appraiser to show you the specific record often reveals an error you can correct on the spot.

A General Rule for Any Pushback You Don't Expect

If the appraiser raises something you didn't prepare for:

"That's a fair point. I don't have that specific information with me today, but I'd like to make sure my primary equity argument is considered. Can we return to the comparable properties I've presented?"

You don't have to win every side argument. Redirect to your strongest evidence and let the data do the work.

A useful thing to know: The HCAD appraiser arguing against you typically picked up your file that morning. They handle dozens of cases per day. You, on the other hand, have spent time researching your specific property and neighborhood. This is your advantage — you almost certainly know more about your home's condition, your street's characteristics, and your neighborhood's dynamics than they do. When they push back with generic objections, your specific knowledge wins.

3

The First-Timer Opening

If this is your first protest hearing, you might feel like everyone else in the Zoom room knows something you don't. They don't. The process is straightforward, the panels have seen thousands of homeowners just like you, and being upfront about it being your first time often works in your favor.

Your Opening Statement

"Good morning/afternoon. My name is [YOUR NAME], and I'm the owner of [YOUR PROPERTY ADDRESS]. This is my first time going through the protest process, so I appreciate your patience if I'm not as polished as some of the folks you see regularly.

I reviewed my property's appraisal this year and noticed it seemed high compared to similar homes in my neighborhood. I put together some comparables to show what I found, and I'd like to walk you through them if that's alright."

Why this works: You're being honest without being apologetic. Panels hear from professional tax consultants all day. A homeowner who clearly did the homework and shows up prepared — even a nervous one — gets respect. Acknowledging it's your first time signals that you're here in good faith, not trying to game the system.

Presenting Your Evidence When You're Nervous

Take it one property at a time. You don't have to rush.

"I have [NUMBER] comparable properties to share. Let me pull up my screen. [Pause, share screen.] Okay, here's what I found.

The first comparable is at [COMP 1 ADDRESS]. It's [COMP 1 SQFT] square feet, has a quality grade of [COMP 1 GRADE], and it's assessed at [COMP 1 $/SQFT] per square foot. My property is assessed at [YOUR ASSESSED $/SQFT] per square foot, which is [DIFFERENCE] higher.

[Continue through remaining comps at your own pace.]

Across all of these, the average is [COMP AVERAGE $/SQFT] per square foot. I'm asking that my assessment be brought in line with that average."

Tips for Staying on Track

• Print your comp grid and have it next to your screen. If the technology hiccups, you still have your numbers.
• It's okay to look at your notes. This isn't a speech competition.
• Speak slowly. The panel is taking notes too.
• If you lose your place, just say: "Give me one moment" and find where you left off.
• If the WebEx connection drops, call (713) 812-5802 immediately. They can reconnect you within 15 minutes.

When You Don't Know the Answer to a Question

This happens to everyone, including professionals. Here's what to say:

"I don't have that information with me right now, but I can look into it and provide it after the hearing if that would be helpful."

Or:

"That's a good question. I'm not sure about that specific detail, but I'd like to make sure the comparables I've presented are considered. They show a clear difference in how my property is assessed relative to my neighbors."

You don't lose credibility by not knowing everything. You lose credibility by making something up.

Your Closing

"I know I'm new to this, but the numbers I've shown today are straightforward. My home is assessed [DIFFERENCE] per square foot above the average of comparable properties in my neighborhood — same quality grade, similar size, similar age. I'm asking that my assessment be adjusted to [REQUESTED $/SQFT] per square foot, bringing my total appraised value to [REQUESTED TOTAL VALUE].

Thank you for walking me through this. I appreciate your time."

Do's and Don'ts: Quick Reference

Do

✓ Be respectful and professional. The panel deals with hundreds of protests. Courtesy goes a long way.
✓ Stick to your data. Your comp grid is your best weapon. Let the numbers make the argument.
✓ Have your comps ready to share screen. Pull up the document before the hearing starts so you're not fumbling when it's your turn.
✓ Take notes on what they say. If they mention a specific comp or a detail about your property, write it down. It may matter if you appeal further.
✓ Ask for clarification if you don't understand something. "Could you explain what you mean by that?" is always acceptable.
✓ Check in at owners.hcad.org at least 15 minutes early. This is not optional. Your case will be dismissed if you miss check-in.

Don't

✗ Get emotional or confrontational. Frustration is understandable, but it doesn't win hearings. Data does.
✗ Argue about the tax rate. You're protesting the appraised VALUE of your property, not the tax rate. The rate is set by the taxing jurisdictions, not the appraisal district.
✗ Compare to homes in other neighborhoods. Stick to your subdivision or immediate area. Comps from across town will be dismissed.
✗ Make up numbers or exaggerate. The panel has access to the same data you do. Inflated claims undermine your credibility on everything else.
✗ Apologize for protesting. Protesting your property tax appraisal is your legal right under Texas law. You're not wasting anyone's time.
✗ Forget to check in before your hearing. Log into owners.hcad.org and click 'I'm Ready To Check-In' when you receive the notification. Missing this step means your protest is dismissed automatically.

What to Say at Your Hearing: Scripts for 3 Common Scenarios

Before You Start: How the Hearing Actually Works

The Standard Equity Argument

Your Opening Statement

Presenting Your Comp Grid

Your Closing Statement

Responding to the Appraiser's Counter-Arguments

Pushback: "Your property has features these comps don't."

Pushback: "We used different comps."

Pushback: "The market supports this value."

Pushback: "Your improvements justify the difference."

A General Rule for Any Pushback You Don't Expect

The First-Timer Opening

Your Opening Statement

Presenting Your Evidence When You're Nervous

Tips for Staying on Track

When You Don't Know the Answer to a Question

Your Closing

Do's and Don'ts: Quick Reference

Do

Don't