How to Revoke a Property Tax Agent or Consultant

If you've already hired a property tax consultant — or signed up with one a few years ago and forgot — you can revoke that authorization at any time. You don't need a reason. You don't owe them an explanation. This guide walks through exactly how to do it in Texas (where you file the state's Form 50-813) and California (where each county handles it a little differently). It also covers what happens if you're switching to a new agent, and the common questions that trip people up.

Why People Revoke a Property Tax Agent

Common reasons:

• The agent never filed anything (or didn't tell you what happened).
• You can't get a real person on the phone.
• The fee structure changed, or you're paying for a service you don't use anymore.
• You found a better option.
• You moved and the old agent is no longer relevant.
• You signed up years ago and didn't realize the authorization auto-renews until you cancel.

Whatever the reason, the law gives you a clean way out — and the appraisal district has to honor it the moment your revocation is on file.

Texas: How to Revoke a Property Tax Agent (Form 50-813)

Texas uses a single statewide form: Comptroller Form 50-813 — Revocation of Appointment of Agent for Property Tax Matters.

Step 1: Download Form 50-813

Get it directly from the Texas Comptroller at comptroller.texas.gov/forms/50-813.pdf or your local appraisal district website. Every district uses the same form.

Step 2: Fill in the basics

You'll need:

• Owner's name, mailing address, and phone.
• Property identifier — either the appraisal district account number, the situs (physical) address, or the legal description. Any one of those works.
• The agent you're revoking — name, address, and phone. If you're not sure who the agent of record is, call your appraisal district and ask. They'll tell you.

Step 3: Choose the scope of revocation

The form lets you revoke the agent for:

• All property listed under your name, or
• Specific property (you list the accounts or addresses).

If you want a clean break, choose "all property." If you only want to remove the agent from one parcel (and keep them for others), list the specific accounts.

Step 4: Sign and date it

The person signing must be the property owner, an authorized property manager, or someone else with legal authority to act for the owner.

Heads up: Making a false statement on this form is a crime under Texas Penal Code § 37.10. Make sure the person signing actually has the authority.

Step 5: File it with your appraisal district

Send the signed form to the appraisal district where your property is located — not the agent, not the Comptroller. Most districts accept:

• Email (look for a "forms" or "agent" inbox on their website)
• Mail or hand-delivery to the district office
• Online upload portal (Harris, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, and several others have one)

The revocation takes effect when the appraisal district receives it. Keep a copy of the email confirmation or the mailing receipt.

Step 6 (optional but smart): Notify the agent

You're not legally required to tell the agent you fired them — the appraisal district will. But sending them a quick email creates a paper trail and stops them from continuing to bill you or contact you about the property.

A one-liner is enough:

"As of [date], I'm revoking your authorization as my property tax agent for [address / account #]. I've filed Form 50-813 with the [County] Appraisal District. Please remove me from your active client list and discontinue all billing."

Switching to a New Agent? The Texas Auto-Revocation Rule

Here's a detail most people don't know: under Texas Tax Code § 1.111(d), signing a new Appointment of Agent form for the same property automatically revokes any prior agent on that parcel.

In plain English: if you sign TaxDrop's Appointment of Agent (Form 50-162), the prior agent loses authority for that property the moment our form is filed. You don't have to file Form 50-813 separately.

That said, we usually recommend filing the explicit revocation too. Two reasons:

1. Speed. Appraisal districts process Appointment of Agent forms in the order they receive them. Filing the revocation alongside the new appointment removes any ambiguity about who represents you.
2. A clean billing trail. Some consultants keep sending invoices after they've technically lost authority. The explicit revocation closes that door.

If you signed up with TaxDrop and you already had another agent, just let us know on the signup form or email admin@taxdrop.com — we'll handle the paperwork for you.

California: How to Revoke a Property Tax Agent

California doesn't have a single statewide revocation form. The process depends on where you are in the assessment and appeal cycle and which county you're in.

Case 1: You authorized an agent on an Assessment Appeals Application (BOE-305-AH)

If your agent's authority comes from the agent authorization section of the appeal application itself, you can revoke it by writing to the Clerk of the county's Assessment Appeals Board.

A short letter is enough. Include:

• Your name and the property address / APN (Assessor's Parcel Number)
• The appeal application number if you have one
• The name of the agent you're revoking
• A clear statement: "I am revoking the agent authorization for the above appeal effective immediately."
• Your signature and the date

Send it to the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board for your county. Most clerks accept email; the address is on the county's appeals board website.

Case 2: You signed a standalone authorization with a consultant

Many California consultants use their own authorization form (not the BOE-305-AH). To revoke:

1. Write to the consultant — a dated letter or email stating you're terminating the authorization.
2. Copy the Assessor's Office and the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board so the public record reflects the change.
3. Check the consultant's contract for any required notice period or written-cancellation clause. You can still revoke immediately — but knowing what the contract says protects you from a surprise invoice.

Case 3: There's a hearing scheduled

If a hearing is on the calendar, file the revocation immediately and call the Clerk to confirm receipt. You may need to either:

• Have a new agent file a fresh authorization before the hearing,
• Appear personally, or
• Request a postponement.

Don't let the date slide — missing a scheduled hearing can dismiss your appeal.

California county-specific notes

Larger counties have their own pages and sometimes their own forms. Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Sacramento, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Francisco each have a Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board with an online portal or email intake. Search "[county name] assessment appeals board agent revocation" to find the right page.

When in doubt, call your county's Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board. They deal with this all the time and will tell you exactly what they need.

What Happens After You Revoke

Once the revocation is on file:

• The appraisal district (Texas) or assessor / appeals board (California) stops sending your notices to the old agent.
• The old agent can no longer file protests, negotiate with the appraisal district, or attend hearings on your behalf.
• Confidential property information stops flowing to them.
• You can appoint a new agent at any time — or represent yourself.

You do not lose your right to protest or appeal. Revoking an agent only removes the agent. Your underlying right to challenge the assessed value is still yours, and the deadlines are the same:

• Texas:May 15 (or 30 days after your notice, whichever is later).
• California: Varies by county — typically September 15 or November 30.

Common Questions

Do I need a reason to revoke my agent?
No. Neither Texas nor California requires you to explain why. The revocation is yours to make.

Will my old agent still get paid?
That depends on your contract with them. The revocation ends their authority with the appraisal district. It does not automatically erase a fee they may have already earned (for example, if they already won a reduction this year). Read your engagement letter, and if you have questions, ask the agent for a final statement in writing.

Can my agent revoke their own authorization?
Yes. Texas Tax Code § 1.111 lets either the owner or the agent file a written revocation. Some consultants drop clients mid-season if the case becomes unprofitable for them — which is one reason to work with someone who's transparent up front.

Do I have to file revocations every year?
No. An Appointment of Agent stays in effect until it expires by its own terms or is revoked in writing. That's why people sometimes discover an old agent on their account from years ago — the authorization never timed out.

What if I don't know who my current agent is?
Call your appraisal district (Texas) or county assessor / clerk of the appeals board (California) and ask who the agent of record is for your property. They'll tell you. It's public record.

Can I revoke just one property and keep the agent for others?
Yes. Texas Form 50-813 has a "specific property" option. In California, name the specific APN in your revocation letter.

How long does it take to process?
Once received, most appraisal districts and counties update the agent of record within a few business days — sometimes the same day. The revocation itself is effective when the office receives it, not when they finish processing it.

Switching to TaxDrop

If you're revoking your current agent because you want a better service, TaxDrop handles your protest (Texas) or appeal (California) on a 25% contingency — no upfront fee, and you pay nothing unless we lower your tax bill.

We'll:

• File the new Appointment of Agent for you.
• File the Form 50-813 revocation alongside it (Texas) if you want a clean record.
• Build your case with comparable sales and corrected property details.
• Negotiate informally with the appraisal district, and represent you at hearing if needed.

See your potential savings in under 2 minutes — and if you decide to move forward, we'll take care of the agent switch.

TaxDrop helps homeowners and landlords in Texas and California reduce their property taxes. We analyze your assessment, file your protest or appeal, and handle the paperwork end-to-end — including switching agents if you've already worked with someone else. Get your free savings estimate.