Home address: 206 Old Moody Rd

2021 Tax Assessment: $105,900

Recent Sales Price: $83,000 – Over-taxed by 28%

While most Texas homeowners pay extra property taxes, there are several simple steps you can take to limit your tax bill. A market value appeal is based on the assessor’s value exceeding the market value of your home. An unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. Woody Allen said, “80% of success is showing up”. The same is true of property taxes. If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent.

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 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 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.