Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about property tax appeals and how we work.
Getting Started
How does it work?
- Free instant estimate. Enter your address and we compare your assessed value per square foot against similar homes in your neighborhood using official county parcel data.
- Review your case. If we find a meaningful equity discrepancy, we show you exactly how much you may be over-assessed and which comparable properties support your argument.
- Get your protest packet. Pay a one-time $29.99 fee and receive a complete packet — cover letter, comparable analysis exhibit, map, and step-by-step filing instructions — delivered to your email within minutes.
- File directly with your county. No attorney, no appraiser, no appointment required. You file the documents yourself.
Who is eligible to use this service?
Any residential property owner (single-family homes, townhomes, and most 1–4 unit properties) in a county we currently serve. You must be in an active protest window for your county. Enter your address on our home page — if you're eligible, we'll let you know immediately.
My county isn't listed — can I still get help?
We're actively expanding. Enter your address and if we don't yet cover your area, you can join the waitlist. We prioritize expansion based on waitlist demand — your sign-up helps us decide where to go next.
The Appeal Argument
What's the legal basis for the appeal?
We use the unequal appraisal (equity) argument — the principle that all properties in a jurisdiction must be assessed uniformly. If your home is assessed at a higher rate per square foot than comparable properties nearby, you have a valid legal basis to appeal regardless of what your home might sell for.
- Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2 requires uniform assessment across all properties in a county.
- Illinois: 35 ILCS 200/9-265 and the Illinois Property Tax Code require equalization of assessed values.
- Texas: Texas Tax Code § 41.43 establishes the right to protest based on unequal appraisal relative to comparable properties.
This is distinct from a fair market value argument — you don't need to prove your home is worth less than it's assessed at. You only need to show it's being taxed unequally compared to its neighbors.
What evidence do you use to build my case?
We use the same official county parcel data the appraisal district itself relies on — not Zillow estimates or sale prices. Our algorithm identifies comparable properties by neighborhood, square footage, age, and construction quality. We calculate the assessed value per square foot for each comparable and compare it to yours. If your rate is materially higher, that gap is your case.
Is this a market value argument or an equity argument?
It's an equity argument. We are not arguing that your home is worth less than its assessed value — we're arguing that it's assessed unequally relative to similar properties. This distinction matters: an equity argument is typically easier to win because you don't need an appraisal or sale data. You just need to show that neighbors with comparable homes pay less in assessed value per square foot.
Pricing & Delivery
What does it cost?
The savings estimate is always free — no credit card required. You only pay if we find a viable case worth filing.
The full protest packet is $29.99 — a one-time flat fee. No subscription, no commission on savings, no hidden charges. Compare that to attorneys ($200–$500+) or contingency-fee services that take 25–50% of any savings you achieve.
What's included in the protest packet?
- A formatted cover letter addressed to your county's appraisal review board
- A comparable properties exhibit with assessed value per square foot analysis
- A map showing your property and the selected comparable homes
- Step-by-step filing instructions specific to your county's process
- The relevant legal statutes and citations supporting your equity argument
- A PDF and DOCX version of all documents
How fast will I receive my packet?
Typically within 5–15 minutes of payment. You'll receive an email with download links for your PDF and DOCX documents. If you haven't received it within 30 minutes, check your spam folder and then contact us — we'll resend promptly.
Can I get a refund?
If there's a technical issue and you didn't receive your documents, contact us and we'll either resend or issue a full refund. Because you're purchasing a digital product that's delivered immediately and based on your specific property data, we don't offer refunds based on the outcome of your appeal hearing.
Process & Results
How do I know if I have a strong case?
We only offer the $29.99 packet when our analysis finds a statistically meaningful equity gap — your assessed value per square foot is materially higher than comparable homes in your neighborhood. The free estimate shows you the gap, the comparable properties, and the estimated tax savings. If the numbers don't support a strong case, we'll tell you upfront and won't ask you to pay.
How much can I realistically save?
It varies significantly by property and county. Customers typically save between $200–$1,500 per year when they have a strong equity case and follow through on filing. The free estimate shows a specific projected savings figure based on your property's data.
Keep in mind that savings are not guaranteed — the county appraisal board reviews your case and may grant a full reduction, a partial reduction, or deny the appeal. Having strong comparable evidence substantially improves your chances.
Is there any risk to filing an appeal?
In most cases, the risk is very low. The worst likely outcome is that the board denies the appeal and your assessment stays the same. In rare cases, a board could theoretically increase your assessment if they find it is undervalued — but in practice this is extremely uncommon, especially when you file based on equity comparables rather than a market value argument.
We only generate a case when the data clearly supports a reduction. If you're uncertain, you can always review the free estimate before committing to the $29.99 fee.
Do I need to attend a hearing in person?
In many cases, counties will resolve an appeal through an informal review or written submission — no hearing required. Your packet includes everything you need to present your case in writing.
If a formal hearing is scheduled, your presence strengthens the case. The hearing is informal, usually 10–20 minutes, and you simply present your comparable properties exhibit to the review board. Our packet is designed so any homeowner can present it confidently without legal training.
What happens after I file?
Once you file, the county's appraisal review board (or equivalent body) will review your case. They may schedule an informal meeting, a formal hearing, or send a decision by mail. Timelines vary by county — most resolve within 2–6 months of the protest deadline. If your appeal is successful, your assessed value will be reduced for the current tax year, and your tax bill will reflect the new lower assessment.
General
Do I need an attorney or licensed appraiser?
No. Georgia, Illinois, and Texas all expressly allow property owners to represent themselves before their county's appraisal review board. You have the same legal standing as an attorney at these hearings. Our packet is designed to be filed by you directly — with no legal or appraisal license required. Attorneys typically charge $200–$500; contingency-fee services take 25–50% of savings. We charge $29.99, flat.
How do I contact you?
Use the Contact Us form on the home page or email us at team@simpleappraisalprotest.com. We respond within one business day.
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State-Specific Guides
Laws, deadlines, and filing procedures by state.
Georgia
Gwinnett · Forsyth · Clayton · Douglas
What's the legal basis for a Georgia appeal?
Georgia law requires that all taxable property be assessed at 40% of its fair market value and that assessments be uniform across similar properties in the same county. O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2 mandates this uniformity. If your home is assessed at a higher effective rate per square foot than comparable properties, you have a statutory right to appeal on the basis of unequal appraisal.
What are the filing deadlines in Georgia?
You have 45 days from the date of your Notice of Assessment to file an appeal (Form PT-311A) with your county Board of Tax Assessors. Notices are typically mailed in March–May. Missing this window means you must wait until the next assessment year.
How do I file in Georgia?
File Form PT-311A (Notice of Appeal of Assessment) with your county Board of Tax Assessors by mail or in person. Our packet includes the completed form, the comparable analysis exhibit, a neighborhood map, and step-by-step instructions tailored to your county.
If the Board doesn't resolve the appeal to your satisfaction within 6 months, it automatically advances to the Board of Equalization, where a panel of three citizens reviews your case at a formal hearing.
Which Georgia counties do you serve?
We currently serve Gwinnett, Forsyth, Clayton, and Douglas counties in Metro Atlanta, covering more than 500,000 residential parcels. We are working to expand to Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, and other Metro Atlanta counties — join the waitlist for early access.
Illinois
Cook County — South & West Suburbs
What's the legal basis for an Illinois appeal?
Under the Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/9-265), all properties must be assessed uniformly and equitably. If your assessed value is higher than that of comparable properties — measured as a percentage of market value or on a per-square-foot basis — you have grounds to appeal on the basis of overvaluation or lack of uniformity. Cook County assessments are set at 10% of market value for residential properties.
When are Cook County reassessment notices mailed?
Cook County is divided into townships that are reassessed on a rotating 3-year schedule. Each township gets a reassessment notice at a different time of year. The protest window opens when your township's notice is published and typically stays open for 30–35 days.
We monitor the Cook County Assessor's reassessment calendar and will notify waitlist users when their township enters the appeal window.
How do I file in Cook County?
File online via the Cook County Assessor's SmartFile portal at cookcountyassessor.com within 30–35 days of your reassessment notice.
Important: Cook County appeals require dated photographs of your property and each comparable property. Our packet includes all written documents (cover letter, comp exhibit, citations) — you will need to add the photographs yourself. Tips for gathering them are included in your instructions.
Texas
Bastrop (2026 season) · Additional counties for 2027
What's the legal basis for a Texas appeal?
Texas Tax Code § 41.43 establishes the right to protest based on unequal appraisal. If your property's appraised value exceeds the median appraised value of a reasonable sample of comparable properties, the Appraisal Review Board must reduce your value to the median of those comparables. This statutory mandate makes the equity argument particularly powerful in Texas.
What are the Texas protest deadlines?
The standard deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed — whichever is later. Some counties extend the deadline when notices are mailed late (e.g., Bastrop County extended to May 29, 2026 after mailing notices on April 29).
Missing the deadline means waiting until the following year. Check your notice date carefully and file early.
How do I file a Texas protest?
File Form 50-132 (Notice of Protest) with your county's Central Appraisal District by the deadline. Our packet includes the completed form and comparable analysis exhibit. Many Texas CADs also accept online filing through their websites. Once filed, you'll receive a hearing date before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) — a panel of local residents who review your evidence.
Which Texas counties do you currently serve?
For the 2026 protest season: Bastrop County (extended deadline May 29, 2026).
For the 2027 protest season: We are preparing coverage for Collin, Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Fort Bend, Williamson, Travis, Galveston, Hays, Caldwell, and Brazoria counties. Enter your address to join the waitlist for your county.