Home address: 423 E Cedar St

2021 Taxable Value: $129,491        

Recent Sales Price: $100,000 – Over-taxed by 29%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Guadalupe County owners to pay extra taxes. Most market value protests are successful, typically saving the owner hundreds or thousands of dollars. Unequal appraisal appeals compare the level of assessment of your house to comparable houses, typically on a per square foot basis. 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. Appraisal districts aggressively settle appeals since they have only 65 days to settle most of the appeals. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car.  Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.