El Pasoans to protest increases in property taxes Saturday in San Jacinto Plaza
Some El Pasoan's, for a second year in a row, may be paying more in property taxes and residents are expected to gather Saturday in San Jacinto Plaza to protest hikes.
The demonstration will run from 10 a.m. to noon.
More: El Paso home taxable valuations increasing again as Appraisal District mails new notices
More: How hot is the real estate market in El Paso? Home prices rise over $207K
On April 8, the El Paso Central Appraisal District (CAD) sent out new valuation notices for more than 231,000 single-family homes in the county.
"The economy is struggling right now, a lot of people lost their jobs last year, we're getting out of a pandemic and then you add (increased property taxes) to the formula," Ana Saenz, an El Paso Taxes Watchdogs administrator, said. "It's taxing people out of their homes, basically, and so myself and all other El Paso citizens are just fed up."
Saenz said the group will be providing volunteers who are familiar with protesting their property appraisals on what is needed to protest their valuations.
"It is a peaceful protest," Saenz said. "The whole family's welcome."
The group began a petition addressed to El Paso City Council members, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser and the CAD.
The petition has 32 online signatures and can be signed online at: https://tinyurl.com/2p9efey4.
More information can be found at the group's Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/3tbv5c4h.
Last year, homeowners saw their valuations increase while the city of El Paso voted to keep the property tax rate the same. This year, El Paso City Council officials directed City Manager Tommy Gonzalez to come up with a plan to decrease the city's property tax rate.
Appraisal district officials said it's a hot market as prices of commodities continue to rise because of inflation and supply chain issues.
The overall market value of single-family homes in El Paso County increased 25.1% this year to a total of $43.04 billion, according to preliminary appraisal district data.
How to protest property appraisal
To begin the process you must fill out the “Notice of Protest” form mailed along with your appraisal notice. You can mail your protest form, deliver it in-person, or fill it out electronically at the CAD's website.
More: Got your appraisal notice in the mail? Here's what it means for your property tax bill.
More: El Paso City Council directs city manager to develop tax relief plan for property owners
Those who file a protest form should receive an appointment for a hearing with a CAD staff member. At that hearing, you’ll have to make a case for why you believe CAD’s appraisal is incorrect.
Being well-prepared includes showing evidence that properties comparable to yours in size, amenities and location are selling at a lower price than CAD's appraisal. If your property has damages that lower its value, bring photos that show that damage and contractor estimates that show what it would cost to repair those damages.
You can appeal the result of the initial appointment to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB), which is made up of members of the public appointed by a local judge. The ARB is located at CAD headquarters. Hearings before the ARB are typically scheduled on the same day as your appointment.
More: El Paso's property tax rate is among the highest in the nation. Here's why.
Property owners can also hire a tax agent or broker to undertake an appraisal protest. To find one, start by asking a local real estate agent.
You can find more information on the protest process on CAD's website. You can also contact CAD's Taxpayer Liaison Officer, Tracy Carter, at 915-780-2070 or tracycart@epcad.org.
Anthony Jackson may be reached at ADJackson@elpasotimes.com and @TonyAnjackson on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Pasoans to protest property taxes in San Jacinto Plaza Saturday
