Home address: 1081 Hartfield Rd

2021 Taxable Value: $237,255       

Recent Sales Price: $170,000 – Over-taxed by 40%

Most homeowners who do not appeal annually pay excess property taxes. A market value appeal is based on the assessor’s value exceeding the market value of your home. The lower value stands when appealing market value and unequal appraisal.  Appeal both every year. Appraisal districts are generally very receptive to settling tax appeals at the informal hearing.

Property owners are sometimes reluctant to protest their property taxes because they believe the appeal process is difficult.  It is not difficult and 60 to 80% of owners who appeal are successful. It is difficult for appraisal districts to accurately value houses due to limited staff. 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.