Home address: 1008 River Vista Rd

2021 Taxable Value: $424,600

Recent Sales Price: $249,000 – Over-taxed by 71%

Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Market value property tax appeals save home owners an average of $500, according to Texas Comptroller Glen Hager, for 2019. The lower value stands when appealing market value and unequal appraisal. Appeal both every year. Property tax appeals are often won with a smile and a bit of data.

Some homeowners believe “you can’t fight city hall.” But property owners win 60 to 80% of property tax appeals. Appraisal districts use mass appraisal to value property, basically a math model. Overall results are OK. However, many homes are too high or low. Most tax protests are settled at the informal level so appraisers can return to measuring and valuing new construction. Property taxes are the largest tax most Texans face. But it is a stealth tax hidden in the mortgage payment, disguising the size of property taxes paid.