Home address: 1608 Dallas St

2021 Tax Assessment: $59,590

Recent Sales Price: $41,500 – Over-taxed by 44%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause McLennan County owners to pay extra taxes. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given the large number of houses they value and that are protested. An unequal appraisal appeal is easy to prepare. Just find neighborhood homes with a lower level of assessment (per square foot). Summarize the data in a table. The Texas Comptroller reports 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 the high chance of success. One reason it is difficult for appraisal districts to correctly value homes is they are not homogenous. Some have been remodeled and some haven’t. Most tax protests are settled at the informal level so appraisers can return to measuring and valuing new construction. 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.