Home address: 201 Donohoe St

2021 Taxable Value: $123,788 

Recent Sales Price: $75,000 – Over-taxed by 65%

Property tax assessments not carefully reviewed lead to paying more than your share of property taxes. Market value property tax appeals save homeowners an average of $500, according to Texas Comptroller Glen Hager, for 2019. Unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. It is difficult to persuade property owners to protest their property taxes.  But 60 to 80% of those who do are successful.

Owners are sometimes reluctant to protest property taxes due to a concern their value might be raised.  This can’t and does not happen.  Since 2019, neither the appraisal district or the appraisal review board can increase a property tax assessment during a protest. Appraisal districts use the cost approach to value houses.  It is generally considered the least reliable method of appraisal. Most tax protests are settled at the informal level so appraisers can return to measuring and valuing new construction. Appraisal property taxes, yard work and HVAC check-ups are just a few of the responsibilities for homeowners.