THE FORTRESS TAX DEFENSE PROCESS

Step 1: Assessment Review

The first crucial step in the property tax protest process is reviewing your property assessment. Our licensed attorneys at Fortress Tax Defense specialize in residential real estate portfolios and commercial property. We meticulously examine your property assessment to identify any discrepancies or errors that may be inflating your property's value.

Step 2: Data Collection

To build a robust case for your property tax protest, it's essential to gather the most helpful documents. The specific documentation varies between commercial and residential properties.

Commercial Properties:

For commercial properties, the most helpful documents include:

1. Previous Year Income Statements:
   • Provide us with the income statements from the previous year. This information is vital for assessing the income-generating potential of the property, which can impact its overall value.
2. December Rent Roll:
   • Furnish a detailed rent roll for the month of December. A rent roll provides an overview of current tenants, their lease terms, and rental income, giving insight into the property's revenue stream.
3. Documentation Pertaining to Damages:
   • Submit any documentation related to damages to the property. Invoices showing the cost to replace damages are the most potent evidence. Include details of repairs and replacements made during the relevant period.

Residential Properties:

For residential properties, the focus is on damages and their associated costs:

1. Documentation Pertaining to Damages:
   • Submit any documentation related to damages for the property. Invoices showing the cost to replace damages are highly valuable evidence. This includes invoices for repairs, replacements, or any significant renovations made to the property.
   • Pictures:
     • Provide pictures that visually document the damages to the property. While invoices are strong evidence, visuals can complement and strengthen your case. Include photos that clearly depict the state of the property as of January 1st.

It's essential to note that the damages to the property must have existed as of January 1st to be relevant to the appeal. Any changes or damages occurring after this date may not impact the property's assessed value for the current tax year.

Step 3: Informal Negotiations

Before proceeding to the formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing, Fortress Tax Defense engages in informal negotiations with the appraisal district. During this step, we work collaboratively to explore if the property value can be resolved informally.

Key Considerations:

1. Appraisal districts may change the value informally through a settlement and waiver (non-appealable) or a board order (also known as "topline"), which may be appealed through district court or arbitration.
2. All things being equal, we strive to settle using board orders to retain appealability.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Legal Expertise

Fortress Tax Defense stands out with its cutting-edge technology and legal expertise. We leverage advanced systems to compile the most favorable equity and sales comps for your property. This allows us to analyze a vast array of data, ensuring that the most relevant and beneficial comparables are considered in your case.

Our strategy combines the power of technology with the negotiation and litigation skill of experienced property tax attorneys. This synergy maximizes the chance of achieving the most favorable result for our clients. The data-driven approach enables us to present a compelling case that reflects the true value of your property.

Step 4: Appraisal Review Board (ARB) Hearing

If the appeal is not resolved in informal negotiations, a licensed Texas attorney will argue your case at the Appraisal Review Board Hearing, which is usually scheduled between May and August. Three Appraisal Review Board members will act as the judges in your case, and they will issue a value ruling in a Board Order either at the original appraisal amount, Fortress Tax Defense LLC’s recommended value, or somewhere in between.

Step 5: Results Review and Appeals

After the ARB hearing, a board order containing the new value is mailed out. Once the board order is received by Fortress Tax Defense, there is a 60 day period to file an appeal through litigation or arbitration. Our team will review your evidence and results, and make a recommendation whether or not to file an appeal in this time period. If Fortress Tax Defense LLC recommends appealing through arbitration or district court, we will cover the costs of the appeal and proceed under our purely contingent fee arrangement.

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