Home address: 417 Inspiration Dr
2021 Taxable Value: $384,674
Recent Sales Price: $276,000 – Over-taxed by 39%
Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Either comparable sales or condition issues at your home are useful for a market value appeal of property taxes. The lower value stands when appealing market value and unequal appraisal. Appeal both every year. Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”. The same is true of property taxes. If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent.
Some homeowners believe “you can’t fight city hall.” But property owners win 60 to 80% of property tax appeals. One reason it is difficult for appraisal districts to correctly value homes is they are not homogenous. Some have been remodeled and some haven’t. Appraisal districts are receptive to settling property tax protests for houses at the informal level because it has only a nominal impact on the total tax base. 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.