Home address: 5108 Greathouse Av
2021 Taxable Value: $546,340
Recent Sales Price:$355,000  – Over-taxed by 54%

Half or more of Texas homeowners are paying more than their fair share of property taxes. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given the large number of houses they value and that are protested. Property owners can appeal both market value and unequal appraisal. 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.

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. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. Appraisal districts settle appeals at the informal level to avoid the time-consuming and expensive appraisal review board hearings. 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.