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If you have ever opened your property tax appraisal and felt your blood pressure rise, you were not alone. On Tuesday, February 24, our Community Education Series welcomed back William “Gib” Portwood for an eye-opening and empowering session on Protesting Property Taxes. And yes, it was more interesting than that title sounds.

 

Gib, a West Point graduate and former investment research analyst who has been a full-time Property Tax Consultant since 2018, did not waste time easing into it. He made one thing clear: there is real value in knowing you can protest.

 

 

This is where the room visibly relaxed.

Gib explained that under Texas law, when you file a protest, your valuation cannot increase as a result. It can go down but not up because you challenged it. That change has removed much of the hesitation among homeowners.

He also emphasized something many people quietly worry about: there is no retribution for protesting. It is your legal right. You are not being “difficult.” You are participating in a formal process designed for review.

In his words, protesting your value is very much a game. The key is knowing how to play it.

 

One of the most valuable parts of the presentation focused on the over-65 homestead exemption. Gib stressed that this exemption is not a minor discount. It is strategically important for long-term financial stability.

When you qualify for the Over 65 homestead exemption:

• Your school district property taxes are capped at the amount you paid the first year you qualify.
• Your taxable value is lowered by an additional exemption amount.
• You may qualify for tax deferral options.
• It applies only to your primary residence homestead.

In practical terms, that cap can protect retirees from year-after-year increases in school district taxes. For many households on a fixed income, it is critical.

Gib walked attendees through the actual process so it does not feel mysterious.

First, there is often an informal negotiation with the local CAD office. This stage allows review of evidence without strict time limits. Then comes the formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board. These hearings are short, often less than 10 minutes.

That time limit matters.

Because of that constraint, most homeowners never get through all their evidence. Gib strongly recommended bringing at least three physical copies so everyone at the table can review them efficiently. Organization, clarity, and time management matter.

He also explained that not all protest strategies are equal. Here are the procedures for Llano CAD Appraisals. 

Gib recommended using an Unequal Appraisal Protest in most cases. In his experience, this approach tends to produce the maximum reduction for homeowners. Rather than arguing abstract market value alone, it focuses on how your property is appraised relative to comparable properties.

Good, relevant evidence wins.

And he has receipts. In the presentation, he shared examples of significant reductions achieved through arbitration and, when necessary, lawsuits. The takeaway was not that everyone will see a dramatic cut but that preparation and strategy matter. Here is more information about Unequal Appraisal Protests.

Gib was also clear about limits. You cannot protest your taxes to zero. If you are over 65 and already capped, your strategy may look different. But that does not mean you should ignore your appraisal.

Generally speaking, he said yes. You should protest.

Not emotionally or angrily, but intelligently.

Property taxes are not a one-year issue. They are a long-term financial variable. Even modest reductions compound over time. Hundreds of dollars saved each year add up to thousands over a decade. For retirees, this can protect cash flow. For working families, it frees up capital for investments, repairs, or breathing room.

The event was practical, focused, and refreshingly straightforward. No theatrics. Just data, strategy, and clarity.

If you missed it, the main message is this: you have rights, the system has rules, and knowing both can protect your financial future.

And if you ever feel your appraisal jumped in a way that does not quite make sense, you now know the first move. Here is a copy of Gib's presentation.