A property tax consultant (also called property tax representative, property tax agent, or protest company) is a professional who specializes in challenging property assessments on behalf of homeowners and businesses. They research your property's value, gather evidence, negotiate with appraisal districts, and represent you at hearings.
In Texas, paid property tax representatives must hold a license (Property Tax Consultant or RPA credential) to represent clients at formal ARB hearings. Most consultants work on contingency—charging a percentage (typically 25-40%) of your first year's tax savings, meaning you only pay if they win.
Good consultants can achieve better results than most homeowners get alone because they understand valuation methods, know what evidence works, and handle hundreds of appeals annually.
Hiring a property tax consultant makes sense when their expertise can deliver results you couldn't achieve alone.
When to hire a consultant:
• You don't have time to research and attend hearings
• Your property increased 15%+ in value
• You're uncomfortable negotiating
• You've tried protesting yourself without success
• You own multiple properties
• You want expert analysis of your assessment
What good consultants provide:
• Professional-grade comparable sales analysis
• Knowledge of local appraisal district practices
• Experience with what evidence works
• Relationships with appraisers (can help negotiations)
• License and credentials for formal hearings
TaxDrop operates on a pure contingency model—if we don't save you money, you pay nothing.
How property tax consultants work:
Research & analysis:
• Pull your property record card
• Identify valuation errors
• Research comparable sales
• Calculate realistic target value
Filing & representation:
• File your protest before deadline
• Prepare evidence packages
• Attend informal and formal hearings
• Negotiate with appraisers
Typical fee structures:
• Contingency: 25-40% of first year savings
• Flat fee: $200-$500 per property
• Hourly: $150-$300/hour (rare for residential)
Most residential consultants use contingency pricing—you pay nothing upfront and only if they deliver savings.
For Texas ARB formal hearings, paid representatives must be licensed property tax consultants or attorneys. Family members representing you for free don't need licenses. California has different requirements—check your county's rules.
Most residential consultants charge 25-40% of your first year's tax savings on a contingency basis. If they reduce your taxes by $1,000/year, you'd pay $250-$400 once. No reduction = no fee. Some charge flat fees ($200-$500) regardless of outcome.
No legitimate consultant can guarantee specific results—the appraisal district and ARB make final decisions. However, experienced consultants can estimate likely outcomes based on your evidence and their success rates. Be wary of unrealistic promises.