An agent authorization form (also called appointment of agent or power of attorney for property taxes) is a legal document that allows another person or company to act on your behalf in property tax matters. This includes filing protests, attending hearings, negotiating settlements, and receiving notices.
You need this form if you want a property tax consultant, attorney, family member, or anyone else to handle your protest. Without proper authorization, the appraisal district won't discuss your account with anyone but you.
Texas uses a standard form available from each appraisal district. The authorization can be limited to one year or made ongoing.
Authorizing an agent lets professionals handle your protest while you focus on other things. It's especially valuable if:
• You don't have time to attend hearings
• You're not comfortable negotiating
• You want expert representation
• You own multiple properties
• You live out of state
What to know before signing:
• Read what powers you're granting
• Understand the fee arrangement
• Know how to revoke authorization
• Keep a copy for your records
A good agent earns their fee by getting better results than you'd get alone.
What the agent authorization covers:
Filing: Your agent can submit your Notice of Protest
Communication: They receive copies of notices and correspondence
Hearings: They attend informal and ARB hearings on your behalf
Negotiation: They can accept or reject settlement offers
Appeals: They can pursue further appeals if authorized
You remain the property owner with final decision authority. Your agent acts within the scope you grant them—you can limit their powers if desired.
Most property tax consultants require a signed authorization before they can begin working on your case.
Yes. You can revoke authorization anytime by submitting a written revocation to the appraisal district. Once revoked, your agent can no longer act on your behalf. You'll need to handle any pending matters yourself.
Not necessarily. Anyone can be your agent with proper authorization. However, for ARB hearings in Texas, paid representatives must be licensed property tax consultants or attorneys. Family members representing you for free don't need licenses.
Yes. Authorization forms specify which property (by account number) the agent can represent. If you own multiple properties, you can authorize different agents for different properties, or the same agent for all of them.