Will Appealing Backfire? The Upside Risk, Plainly Stated
Homeowners ask us this every season: "If I appeal, can they raise my value instead?" Short answer: possible but rare. Long answer: with a bit of strategy, the risk is often avoidable.
Below is a clean, fact-checked guide you can trust. Laws vary by state and even by county, so we cite official sources where it matters most. (New to appeals? Read our Appeal 101 guide first for the fundamentals.)
The direct answer: can the board raise my value?
It depends on your jurisdiction. Many appeal bodies have authority to increase, decrease, or sustain an assessment based on evidence presented at the hearing.
Quick state snapshots
| State | Can value increase at the appeal? | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| California | Yes, if the evidence supports it | Multiple county sites state the Assessment Appeals Board may decrease, increase, or leave the value unchanged. |
| Texas | Possible. ARB can change the appraisal. Post-reduction increases face a high evidence bar | ARB resolves protests and issues orders. If your value was reduced by ARB, arbitration, or court, a later increase generally needs clear and convincing evidence. |
| Indiana | Yes | Statute says the Indiana Board's determination may be higher or lower than the current assessment. |
| New York | Filing a grievance does not automatically trigger an increase. The assessor can seek an increase only with formal notice to the Board of Assessment Review | NY guidance shows assessors must use Form RP-552 and send certified-mail notice before Grievance Day if they intend to raise a value. |
Takeaway: sweeping state lists you may see online are often wrong. Always verify the rules that govern your county’s appeal body, not just your state.
Why upside increases are uncommon in practice
Even where increases are allowed, they are not the norm.
Raising a value demands fresh support, documentation, and a defensible record. Many offices prioritize clearing appeals rather than creating new disputes. The workload and scrutiny involved make increases less attractive to already busy assessment offices.
The optics matter too. No one wants the headline "County raises value on people who appealed." That political pressure is real and acts as a powerful deterrent.
Some states also impose higher burdens of proof in specific scenarios. For example, in Texas, if your value was lowered by ARB, arbitration, or court last year, the appraisal district typically needs clear and convincing evidence to raise it afterward.
Finally, many jurisdictions have process rules that make increases logistically difficult. In New York, an increase during the grievance cycle requires a specific assessor petition and certified notice to you ahead of time, so it does not happen quietly.
When upside risk actually happens
These are the realistic tripwires we see:
The first risk arises when you fix an understatement. If the record shows 1,800 square feet and you hand over plans proving 2,200, the board can price the larger home. How to avoid: correct only overstatements and factual errors that lower value. Hold back materials that expand amenities or size unless you need them to rebut a different claim.
Another scenario occurs when major unrecorded improvements surface. Finished basement. New pool. Big addition. If discovered, value can go north.
Risk also exists if your current value is far below peers. If your home is clearly under-assessed versus tight, recent comps, a review can backfire.
Finally, overreaching evidence creates problems. Wild repair estimates or non-comparable "comps" invite a deeper dive that may uncover value-raising facts.
How to minimize your risk
Start by doing a sanity check first. If your assessed value is already at or below credible market indicators, skip the appeal. Save your time for next year.
Next, laser-focus your evidence. Use sales that are truly comparable, contractor quotes you can back up, and photos that show real, value-reducing conditions. Avoid padding. Weak evidence raises flags. Our comparable sales guide shows you how to find and present truly comparable properties.
Do not volunteer value-increasing facts. Do not submit documents that reveal extra square footage, a higher quality grade, or unrecorded amenities unless you must counter a different point. Understanding what assessors care about helps you stay focused on the right evidence.
Be cautious about site visits. If your case is documentary, keep it that way. A site visit can surface unrecorded improvements.
Keep your ask reasonable. If comps support a 7 to 12 percent reduction, ask for that. Extreme claims get extreme scrutiny.
Finally, know your local withdrawal rules. If you sense an increase coming, you can often withdraw before a decision. Example: [in California][6] you may withdraw before or at the hearing, except when the assessor has sent written notice of intent to recommend an increase, in which case the board can deny the withdrawal and proceed. Indiana PTABOA allows written withdrawal in advance of the hearing. Check your county's procedure. For more on navigating the formal appeal process, see our informal vs. formal appeal guide.
What the official sources actually say
California: County appeals boards can lower, raise, or sustain the value based on the hearing record. That is explicit on multiple county sites.
Texas: The ARB hears protests and issues orders. After an official reduction, future increases typically require clear and convincing evidence.
Indiana: The Board's ruling can be higher or lower than the assessment or any party's opinion of value. That authority is in the statute.
New York: Filing a grievance does not secretly authorize an increase. To increase a value at grievance, the assessor must file a petition to the BAR and send you certified notice before Grievance Day.
If an increase is proposed
If the assessor or appeal board proposes to raise your value, ask for the evidence. You are entitled to see the support for any proposed increase. Then decide quickly whether to proceed. If the evidence is thin, contest it. If it is solid, withdrawing before a decision may preserve the status quo in places that allow it. [California and Indiana][6] publish clear withdrawal mechanics. Your county may too.
Finally, remember next year. An assessor can revisit value in future cycles. In Texas, post-reduction increases have a higher proof bar. In New York, an increase requires proper notice to the BAR. Know these guardrails.
Fast checklist: should I appeal?
- Are my best comps clearly lower than my assessed value?
- Do I have accurate, defensible estimates and photos?
- Am I avoiding documents that reveal extra size or new amenities?
- Do local rules give me withdrawal options if things turn?
- Do I understand whether my appeal body can increase the value?
If you can check those boxes, your risk profile is low and the upside is worth a look. For common misconceptions about appeal risks, see our myths guide.
Bottom line
Yes, increases can happen in a number of states, including California, Texas, and Indiana, when the evidence supports it.
No, filing does not secretly invite a hike in places like New York without a formal assessor petition and certified notice.
You control most of the risk by choosing strong, narrowly tailored evidence and knowing your local procedures. Our guide on what assessors care about helps you focus on evidence that works.
Want a second set of expert eyes before you file? AppealArc helps you build
a defensible, low-risk case with the right comps, the right narrative, and none
of the unforced errors. See how AppealArc works and start your appeal with
confidence.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Always check your local rules.
[6]: https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/boe305wd.pdf "Assessment Appeal Withdrawl
- California State Board of Equalization"