How to File a Dallas County uFile Protest

Wait for Your Notice of Appraised Value

Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) mails your Notice of Appraised Value each spring, typically around April 14-15. This notice shows your property's assessed value for the upcoming tax year.

What to do: When it arrives, check the assessed value. If it seems high compared to similar homes in your area, you have grounds to protest.

Generate Your Equalize Evidence Report

Before filing your protest, gather your evidence. Equalize makes this simple:

• Enter your property address on the Equalize homepage
• Review your protest potential analysis (Higher, Moderate, or Lower)
• Reserve your Early Bird evidence packet ($19.99) to receive a professional PDF report with comparable properties and a suggested target value

File Your Protest via DCAD's uFile System

Deadline: May 15 (or 30 days after your notice was mailed, whichever is later)

How to file:

• Go to www.dallascad.org and click "File a Protest" or access uFile directly
• Enter your property information (account number is on your notice)
• Select your protest reason: "Unequal Appraisal" (most common—your home is valued higher than similar properties)
• Provide your contact information and preferred hearing format (online, phone, or in-person)
• Submit your protest—you'll receive a confirmation number

That's it! Your protest is officially filed. No fees, no complicated forms.

Submit Your Evidence & Opinion of Value

Shortly after filing, uFile will allow you to submit your evidence and "Opinion of Value" (what you think your property should be worth).

What to upload:

• Your Equalize evidence report PDF (peer comparison table + target value)
• Photos of any property issues (if applicable): foundation cracks, needed repairs, outdated features
• Your suggested target value (use Equalize's calculated target or a value you researched)

Review Any Settlement Offers

If DCAD sends a settlement offer through uFile, you'll receive an email notification.

Your options:

• Accept the offer: If the proposed value is at or below your target, click "Accept" in uFile. Your protest is resolved—done!
• Counter the offer: If it's close but not quite there, you can submit a counteroffer
• Decline and request a hearing: If the offer isn't acceptable, proceed to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing

Prepare for Your ARB Hearing (If Needed)

If no settlement is reached, you'll receive a hearing notice at least 15 days in advance with the date, time, and format (online, phone, or in-person).

How to prepare:

• Review your Equalize evidence report and organize your key points
• Practice a 3-5 minute summary: "My home is assessed at $X, but similar properties average $Y. Here's my evidence."
• Submit your evidence packet to the ARB at least 5 days before the hearing (usually done through uFile)
• Be ready to answer questions about your property and comparables

Attend Your ARB Hearing

The hearing itself is informal and straightforward. The ARB panel (typically 1-3 volunteer board members) will hear both sides and make a decision.

What happens:

• You present your case first (3-5 minutes): Show your Equalize evidence, explain why your assessment is too high
• DCAD's appraiser responds with their justification
• The panel may ask questions of both parties
• The panel deliberates and issues a decision (often immediately, sometimes within a few days)

Receive Your Final Decision

After the hearing, the ARB will issue a final determination. You'll receive a notice with your property's final assessed value for the year.

Possible outcomes:

• Value reduced to your target or lower: Success! Your tax bill will reflect the lower value
• Partial reduction: Not your ideal target, but still a meaningful savings
• No change: The original assessed value stands (you can appeal further if desired, but most homeowners stop here)

Remember: Even a partial reduction can save you hundreds of dollars per year, and the process is free. You have nothing to lose by trying.