| FAQ | General back to top |
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| Q | I don't see the Online Protest Button? |
| A | The Online Protest button is located on the bottom left side of the main website.
The direct link is http://webappeals.fbcad.orgback to top |
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| Q | I have a question about paying my taxes. |
| A | Fort Bend Central Appraisal District does NOT collect, bill, invoice or handle any property tax bills.
We ONLY APPRAISE Property in Fort Bend County.back to top |
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| Q | When I do a property search I get an error message, "There was a problem with your request please contact your system administrator". |
| A | The error message is related to a current update to Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.
Resolution: There are no known fixes to this issue. We are aware of the issue and we are working with Microsoft to resolve the problem.
The current workaround is to add http://www.fbcad.org to your browsers compatibilty list.
The instructions are list below.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956197
Some Web sites may not be displayed correctly or work correctly in Windows Internet Explorer 8 or in Windows Internet Explorer 9 Beta. This problem does not occur in earlier versions of Internet Explorer, and the affected Web sites continue to be displayed correctly and to work correctly in Windows Internet Explorer 7.
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| Q | My property information is wrong. How do I get it changed? |
| A | If there is any information on the property that is incorrect you can fax a detailed letter to 281-762-9666 with all the information regarding the property, the reason the information we have is incorrect, your contact information.
You can also come in person to our address here at 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd. Rosenberg, TX 77471. Please bring all the information you have regarding the property.
You can call us at 281-344-8623 to speak with a representative. Please have your account#, or the property address ready when calling.back to top |
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| Q | Where are the photographs and sketches? |
| A | Effective as of Sept 1, 2005 the Fort Bend County Appraisal District Website will no longer display photographs and building sketches for all property. In accordance with Senate Bill 541, as passed by the Texas Legislature, information in appraisal records may not be posted on the Internet if the information is a photograph, sketch, or floor plan of an improvement to real property that is designed primarily for use as a human residence. Photographs and building sketches of property will still be available for viewing by the public at the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District Customer Service Area located at 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd, Rosenberg, Texas during normal business hours.back to top |
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| Q | How current is the information on your site? |
| A | The information shown on the website is as of certification date. Any property ownership or value change after certification will not show on the website until the following year when the website will show preliminary data on May 1st.back to top |
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| Q | I don't want my information available on the web. How do I get it deleted? |
| A | The data that is being presented on this website is public record and available under laws governing the public's right to access public information. We cannot selectively remove or withhold this information.
Under Section 25.025, Tax Code defines who can have their information secured. If you feel you qualify for what is allowed by law. You can complete form 50-284 and return it to the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District. The web site for the application is http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-284.pdfback to top |
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| Q | When I try to print a map and click on the 'Create Print Page' button nothing happens. |
| A | You may have a pop-up blocker enabled on your computer. To temporarily allow the print page to appear, hold the CTRL key down while clicking on the 'Create Print Page' button. Then print the map page as a normal web page.back to top |
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| Q | Why do I get an error message that says 'Request Timed Out'? |
| A | This error generally occurs when the search criteria is too broad to complete the search before the set time limit. Narrow the search down by providing additional search criteria.back to top |
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| Q | Does the Appraisal District get audited? |
| A | The CAD appraisals are audited by the State each year. Appraisals must be 100% of market value to ensure that school districts will not lose any state funding.back to top |
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| Q | How do I find additional property tax information? |
| A | Visit www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/proptax.htmlback to top |
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| Q | I didn't get a tax bill, what do I do? |
| A | Fort Bend CAD does not bill, invoice your taxes. We only appraise property for Fort Bend County. Please contact your taxing entity about your tax bill.back to top |
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| FAQ | Tax Questions back to top |
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| Q | Who determines the tax rate? |
| A | The CAD only appraises property. The local governing bodies determine the tax rate.back to top |
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| Q | Can my value be legally based on something other than market value? |
| A | There are provisions for valuing agriculture/timber land at production value, exemptions for homeowners, persons over 65 years of age, exemptions for disabled veterans, etc. If you value notice fails to indicate any exemptions or special valuation to which you feel entitled, please contact the appraisal district immediately.back to top |
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| Q | Why do I receive a notice of appraised value? |
| A | The primary purpose of the notice is to inform you of the value place on your property, so you can determine if you wish to protest.back to top |
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| Q | What is Valuation Date? |
| A | Section 23.01 of the Texas Property Code states that "all taxable property is appraised at its market values as of January 1".back to top |
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| Q | What is Market Value? |
| A | Section 1.04 of the Texas Property Code defines market value as follows: 'the price in which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under prevailing market conditions if: (A) exposed for sale in the open market with a reasonable time for the seller to find a purchaser: (B) both the seller and the purchaser know of all the uses and purposes to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used and the enforceable restrictions on its use; and (C) both the seller and the purchaser seek to maximize their gains and neither is in a position to take advantage of the exigencies of the other".back to top |
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| Q | How is the actual rate established? |
| A | After determining the taxing unit's total budgetary needs, its elected governing body decides what actual tax rate it must levy to generate the amount of revenue needed.
For example, the total assessed value of a jurisdiction is $10 million and $100,000 is needed for its budget. To fund the budget, its governing body must set a tax rate $1 per $100 valuation ($10 million multiplied by $1 / $100 valuation equals $100,000).back to top |
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| Q | What can I do if I disagree with my value? |
| A | 1. An informal meeting with an appraiser, if an agreement is not reached, then; 2. File a written protest for a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). You will be notified of your hearing date and time after your protest is filed. You are not required to be represented by an attorney. Evidence must be presented to the ARB in the following manner:
A. In person; or
B. By an authorized agent; or
C. By affidavit (a notarized sworn statement)
At the conclusion of the hearing the ARB will issue an order determining value and inform you of post ARB appeal.back to top |
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| Q | Is there any disadvantage to me if I appeal? |
| A | No, In fact, your local government encourages you to appeal if you sincerely question your assessment. Our taxing jurisdictions would like for all tax payers to be satisfied within the legal limits set by the state, and at the same time for everyone to be on a fair share basis. In the great majority of cases when an appraiser finds the taxpayer right, an adjustment is made immediately. The appraiser would like for each property owner to be satisfied. However, the appraiser has a duty to all taxpayers to be fair.back to top |
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| Q | Who is the Appraisal Review Board (ARB)? |
| A | The ARB is an independent panel of citizens responsible for hearing property protest.back to top |
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| Q | I haven't gotten my Tax bill who do I call? |
| A | Fort Bend CAD does not collect or bill taxes.
Fort Bend CAD ONLY Appraises Property for Fort Bend County.
Please contact your taxing authority for your property.back to top |
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| FAQ | Property Appraisal Process back to top |
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| Q | When can I protest? |
| A | The protest period begins May 1st through May 31st.back to top |
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| Q | What is the average wait time to see an appraiser during protest period? |
| A | We recommend you arrive as early as possible. During the early part of the protest period the average wait times are usually less then 1 hour but during the end of the protest periods have been 4+ hours.back to top |
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| Q | Can I leave and return later? |
| A | You may leave but you will lose your space in line and your wait time may be extended due to additional protestors.back to top |
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| Q | How long is the protest interview? |
| A | Procedurally the interview should last approximately 15-20 minutes.back to top |
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| Q | Will I have an opportunity to gather new information after I speak with an appraiser? |
| A | You are encouraged to bring all pertinent documentation when you arrive for your interview; however, the appraiser can discuss further options with you?back to top |
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| FAQ | Map Questions back to top |
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| Q | When I click on the link to the left "GIS MAP" I get the top bar but no map. |
| A | You are using Internet Explorer 8 or better. Please switch your browser to Compatability Mode and the map will appear.back to top |
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