Frequently Asked Questions
My property taxes are too high! Can you help?
Our experience, local knowledge, and robust data-driven technology help us ensure you never pay more than your fair share of property taxes. Our team will analyze all facets of your property to make sure your valuation is correct.
What types of properties does Junek Consulting handle?
We handle all types of properties in the Commercial, Residential, Agricultural/Wildlife, and Business Personal Property designations. A brief list of the commercial properties we represent include retail, manufacturing, industrial/warehouse, hotels and lodging facilities, storage facilities, auto dealerships, apartments, office buildings, bars and restaurants, and land developments.
Why should I choose Junek Consulting to represent my property tax interests?
At Junek Consulting, we do more than file your protest — we go toe-to-toe with appraisal districts, challenge unfair values, and work to ensure you never pay more than your fair share.
We’ve built our reputation on:
- In-depth analysis of every property
- Aggressive negotiation backed by solid data
- Standing up to appraisal district “bullying” tactics
- Keeping future tax increases in check with strategic value reductions
We’re not just consultants — we’re your advocate in a process that too often feels stacked against the property owner. Whether the benefit comes in the form of this year’s tax savings or future protection, we fight hard because we know it matters.
You deserve a fair value — and someone who will fight for it. That’s why our clients stick with us year after year.
What fee structures are offered?
Our fees are performance based and include two scenarios: contingency fee and market reduction fee. We bill the greater of:
- The contingency fee which is based on a percentage of estimated tax savings based on the property type. For example, if we reduce your property value by $10,000 and this generates approximately $180 in tax savings, our fee would be a portion of this estimated tax savings achieved.
- For properties with exemptions or a capped value (circuit breaker, over 65, homestead cap, etc.), there are circumstances where the fee may be calculated at $2.50 per $1,000 in market value reduction. Using the example above the fee would be $25 (10 X $2.50).
If we are unable to achieve a value reduction our services are free of charge. Please contact us for more information.
What is the difference between Market Value and Assessed/Appraised (Taxable) Value?
Market Value is what your property would likely sell for on the open market as of January 1st of the tax year. It reflects what a buyer would reasonably pay. This is the value that appraisal districts must determine annually based on the previous year’s data.
Appraised Value (sometimes also known as assessed value or taxable value) is the value the county uses to calculate your property taxes. It starts with the market value, but can be limited by certain protections—such as a homestead cap, over 65 exemption, or circuit breaker. If your home has a homestead exemption, the appraised value can’t increase by more than 10% per year (not counting new improvements).
We encourage you to understand these potentially differing values prior to engaging our services as successful protests might not always yield tax savings. See our fee examples above for examples.
Why Protest Market Value if Appraised Value Is Capped?
Even if your appraised value is limited by the 10% cap (thanks to a homestead exemption) or 20% cap (thanks to a circuit breaker), it can still be beneficial to protest your market value. Here’s why:
1. Future Tax Increases Are Based on Market Value
The appraised value can increase 10 to 20% per year, depending on your exemption or circuit breaker until it catches up to the market value. So, if your market value is too high and you don’t protest it, you’re potentially giving the county a higher target to increase your appraised value toward—year after year.
2. Lower Market Value = Lower Future Increases
If you successfully protest and lower your market value, you effectively lower the ceiling for future appraised value increases. That means your property taxes may rise more slowly over time.
3. Avoid Overpaying if You Lose Your Cap
If you ever lose your homestead exemption (like if you move or rent out the home), your appraised value could jump back up to match the market value. This is also important if you transfer the deed to a different entity that may be protected under the circuit breaker program. Protesting the market value helps protect you in these scenarios too. Lastly, the circuit breaker is set to automatically expire in 2026. In our opinion you won’t want to be left holding the bag on an unchecked market value!
How can I sign up?
If you are interested in obtaining our services, please click here to sign up as soon as possible to ensure you reserve a space on our current protest lists. We will then send you all necessary paperwork to get started. If you have not received your forms within 48 hours to the email address you provided please check your spam folder and ensure “docusign.net” is not blocked by your email server.
What happens once I sign up with Junek Consulting?
Once you have signed and returned your Contract and Appointment of Agent forms (which is done automatically when you complete your DocuSign package), we will send you a link to register to our client portal. The client portal is where you will be able to complete property questionnaire(s) and upload relevant photos and documents. Once you complete your forms via DocuSign your property(ies) will automatically appear on our protest list and will undergo our extensive review. It is highly recommended that all clients fill out a property questionnaire via the Junek Consulting Client Portal annually so we have as much information as possible to best assist you.
When can I expect to hear back from Junek Consulting after I sign up?
We aim to make the protest process as easy as possible for our clients, and do our best to “take the ball and run with it.” This means we will handle filing the protest, completing a thorough review of your property, and meeting with the appraisal district to negotiate and finalize your value via an informal or formal hearing. If a consultant has a question during the review of your property(ies) the consultant will reach out to you directly. Otherwise, we will send you the final results as soon as they are made available through appraisal district documentation and processed by our staff – usually by email and in the form of an invoice. Current clients of Junek Consulting can access their property accounts 24/7 by logging on to the client portal.
What counties does you serve?
We currently approximately 60 counties statewide, but our core focus is South Texas. Please reach out to us if you would like more information for the counties we currently work with.
When is the deadline to protest my property taxes?
Typically, the deadline is May 15th or the 30th day after the date the notice of appraised value is delivered, whichever is later.
A full listing of deadlines is available on the Texas Comptroller website. If you have engaged our services we will automatically file protest on your behalf.
I already submitted a notice of protest with my appraisal district. Can I still obtain your services?
Only in certain circumstances and if your property has not already been scheduled for a protest hearing. Please email us immediately at info@junekconsulting.com if you would like to explore transferring your protest to our representation.