Got a Higher Property Value Notice? What Arkansas Homeowners Should Do Next.
If you have opened your mailbox lately and found a property-value notice that made you do a double take, you are not alone.
Across Arkansas, homeowners are getting reassessment notices in their mail boxes. And some of them are raising eyebrows and heartrates! Many homeowners have reported big increases in their estimated property values that have raised some understandable questions:
Why does the county suddenly think my home is worth that much?
And perhaps more importantly: What could it mean for my property taxes?
The good new is, a higher valuation notice doesn’t automatically mean your tax bill will be going up by the same percentage. But it is still important to not set that notice aside without reviewing it.
Why This Matters Right Now
If you received a notice showing a higher property value, don’t assume you are powerless and just have to accept it — or panic about it! But, you also don’t have a lot of time to address the issue. The deadline to schedule an Equalization Board hearing is the third Monday in August—that’s next Monday! So now is the time to take a close look at that notice.
For many families, a home is both their largest investment and the place where life happens. Understanding a reassessment notice can help homeowners protect that investment, ask informed questions, and make sure county records accurately reflect their property.
Make sure the county has the right details about your home, understand how the new value may affect your taxes, and contact the assessor’s office promptly if the assessment appears inaccurate or you have questions.
What is an Equalization Board Hearing?
An Equalization Board hearing is a formal request by a homeowner to have the county review a property assessment. You can can bring supporting information (comparable sales, an appraisal, photos, repair estimates, or corrections to the property record) to explain why the county’s value may not accurately reflect the home. The board then reviews the evidence and decides whether an adjustment is appropriate.
Terms You Need to Know as a Homeowner
Let’s face it, one of the reasons a reassessment notice can be confusing is because of all the different factors than can affect your final tax bill.
Market value or appraised value: The county’s estimate of what your property is worth.
Assessed value: The portion of the property value used as the basis for calculating taxes.
Taxable value: The assessed amount after applicable exemptions, credits, or limitations are considered.
Millage: The local tax rate applied to taxable value; it helps fund schools, counties, cities, and other local services.
Homestead credit: Eligible Arkansas homeowners may qualify for a homestead property-tax credit of up to $675 per year under 2026 legislation. In most cases, homeowners must apply through their county assessor.
Assessment limitations: Arkansas has protections—including 5% and 10% limitations in certain circumstances—that can limit how quickly assessed value increases for qualifying properties.
Equalization Board appeal: Homeowners have the right to question or challenge an assessment if they believe it is inaccurate, but deadlines matter.
A Higher Value Does Mean An Equal Tax Increase
It is easy to see a large increase in the county’s estimated value of your property and assume your property-tax bill will increase by the same percentage. But that isn’t necessarily how it works.
Still, a reassessment notice shouldn’t be ignored. You should verify the county has the correct square footage, acreage, improvements, condition, and property classification. Errors can happen, and catching one before you are billed is easier than after the fact.
What Homeowners Should Do Next
If your valuation notice is higher than expected, take a few practical steps:
Review every property detail listed on the notice.
Compare the valuation with recent sales of similar homes, when available.
Check whether your homestead credit has been applied.
Ask your county assessor about any 5% or 10% assessment limitations that may apply to your property.
Contact the assessor’s office promptly if information appears incorrect or if you want to understand the appeal process.
Knowledge Is Part of Homeownership
Property reassessments can feel frustrating, especially when the new value seems disconnected from your experience of your property. But the notice is also an opportunity to understand how local property taxes work and to make sure your home is being assessed fairly.
For Arkansas homeowners, the most important takeaway is simple: review the notice, understand the protections and credits available to you, and speak with your county assessor if something does not look right.
Your home deserves more than a quick glance before the envelope goes into a drawer.
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