Home address: 2612 S 02Nd St

2021 Tax Assessment: $230,290

Recent Sales Price: $177,000 – Over-taxed by 30%

Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given a large number of houses they value and that are protested. The lower value stands when appealing to market value and unequal appraisal.  Appeal both every year. The Texas Comptroller reports that 80% of 2019 property tax appeals by homeowners were successful.

Many owners do not protest because they do not understand the process. Most would appeal if they know how easy it is and the high chance of success. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. Appraisal districts are receptive to settling property tax protests for houses at the informal level because it has only a nominal impact on the total tax base. 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.