Arkansas Board of Equalization hearings are informal, but the evidence you bring determines whether you get a reduction. The BOE panel — typically three to five county-appointed citizens — reviews your evidence and the county assessor's data and votes on an appropriate market value. Organized, specific, credible evidence wins. This checklist covers exactly what to gather before your August 17 filing deadline.
Category 1: Comparable Sales (Most Important)
Comparable sales are the foundation of every successful Arkansas BOE appeal. You are challenging the county assessor's estimate of your property's market value — your strongest counter-argument is evidence of what similar properties actually sold for.
- ✓3-5 recent sales of similar properties in your county (ideally same city or subdivision)
- ✓Sales within 12-18 months before January 1, 2026 carry the most weight
- ✓Match on: similar square footage (within 15%), similar age, similar condition
- ✓Use only arm's-length sales — avoid foreclosures, estate sales, or distressed transactions
- ✓Format: address, sale date, sale price, square footage, price per square foot
- ✓Sources: County recorder/assessor website, Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com
Category 2: Your Property Record (Check for Errors)
Arkansas county assessors maintain property record cards showing your home's characteristics — square footage, bedroom count, bathroom count, year built, and improvements. Errors in these records produce errors in your assessed value. Check your record card before every appeal.
- ✓Square footage: Compare county records to your actual measured or permitted square footage
- ✓Bedroom/bathroom count: Verify against your actual configuration
- ✓Year built: Incorrect year affects depreciation calculations
- ✓Improvements: Garage, outbuilding, or pool listed that does not exist
- ✓Property class: Wrong use classification can affect value tier
- ✓How to find: Visit your county assessor's website and search your address or parcel number
Category 3: Condition Documentation
Condition evidence explains why your property is worth less than the comparable sales — or why the assessor's records understate the cost to bring your property to market condition.
- ✓Photos of any significant defects: roof wear, foundation issues, water damage, HVAC age
- ✓Contractor estimates for major repairs: foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing
- ✓Insurance claims for storm or water damage
- ✓Foundation issues are common in Arkansas clay soils — document with engineer or inspector report
- ✓Deferred maintenance that would factor into a buyer's offer
How TaxAppeal USA Handles Evidence
TaxAppeal USA pulls your county assessor property record, identifies errors, and analyzes comparable sales from your specific Arkansas community. We assemble this evidence into a formal appeal letter citing Arkansas Code §26-27-317 and file via USPS certified mail before August 17. For $89 flat, you get professional-grade evidence preparation without spending hours researching property records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important evidence in an Arkansas BOE appeal? ▾
Recent comparable sales of similar properties in your county that sold for less than your assessor's market value estimate. Three to five strong, recent, local sales is the foundation.
How recent do comparable sales need to be for Arkansas? ▾
Sales within 12-18 months before January 1, 2026 are strongest. Arkansas assessors use a January 1 valuation date.
Where do I find my Arkansas property record card? ▾
Visit your county assessor's website and search by your address or parcel number. Property records are publicly available in all 75 Arkansas counties.
Do I need an appraisal for an Arkansas BOE appeal? ▾
No. A formal appraisal carries strong weight but is rarely necessary or cost-effective for residential appeals. Comparable sales from public records are sufficient for most successful cases.
Does TaxAppeal gather comparable sales for me? ▾
Yes. TaxAppeal USA researches comparable sales from your county's records as part of the $89 flat fee.
Can I win an Arkansas BOE appeal without attending the hearing? ▾
In many cases, yes. Some Arkansas counties accept written evidence without requiring in-person attendance. TaxAppeal USA's formal letter with comparable sales evidence often produces results without a hearing.