Home address: 205 Cougar Ave N

2021 Taxable Value: $241,652

Recent Sales Price: $151,500 – Over-taxed by 60%

While most Texas home owners pay extra property taxes, there are several simple steps you can take to limit your tax bill. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given the large number of houses they value and that are protested. Unequal appraisal appeals are valid when the assessment is below market value. The Texas Comptroller reports 80% of 2019 property tax appeals by home owners were successful.

Property owners are sometimes reluctant to protest their property taxes because the believe the appeal process is difficult. It is not difficult and 60 to 80% of owners who appeal are successful. It is impossible for 2,272 Texas appraisal district appraisers to track physical condition and value for over 20 million properties. Most tax protests are settled at the informal level so appraisers can return to measuring and valuing new construction. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car. Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.