Home address: 1217 N 18Th St

2021 Taxable Value: $120,940

Recent Sales Price: $63,000   – Over-taxed by 92%

Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Protest market value, get a few comparable sales as evidence and you are very likely to reduce your property taxes. Unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. 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. Mass appraisal models make it impossible for appraisal districts to accurately value most houses. Appraisal districts usually settle appeals at the informal hearing since it costs less and takes fewer resources. Property owners have a duty and responsibility to appraisal property taxes annually.  It is not prudent or reasonable to rely on the appraisal district’s estimate.