Midland Property Tax Appeals Save $44+ Million Per Year
Along with exemptions, property tax protests are the only way to lower taxes through the reduction of property values. More taxpayers are challenging the values put forward by the Midland Central Appraisal District (MCAD) every year, with 18,390 doing so in 2024 alone. These appeals help fix factual errors, prevent overassessment, and help counter unequal appraisal. Join O’Connor’s Property Tax Protection Program™ today and maximize your savings with exemptions and appeals. No upfront costs, and you only pay if your taxes are lowered. Enroll, relax, and save.
Total Value Reduction, Informal HearingsSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Millions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| $ Total Value Reduction | 364.68 | 406.26 | 206.07 | 252.22 | 153.49 | 1,034.87 | 1,916.26 | 1,710.41 | 906.66 | 1,032.86 | 1,159.06 |
| Single Family Residential Reduction | 56.47 | 35.81 | 88.96 | 99.34 | 96.61 | 70.11 | 43.62 | 63.65 | 39.90 | 40.36 | 40.83 |
| Commercial / Other | 308.22 | 370.45 | 117.11 | 152.87 | 56.88 | 964.76 | 1,872.64 | 1,646.76 | 866.76 | 992.50 | 1,118.23 |
Texas property owners should protest annually since The value cannot be raised during the protest, based on 2019 legislation.
Midland County Property Tax Savings from Administrative Appeals
Made up of informal and formal protests, administrative appeals allow taxpayers to challenge their property values or fix factual errors that could increase taxation. All protests start at the informal level, where most appeals in Midland County are resolved. If there is no settlement offered, or the payout is too small, then it progresses to the formal phase with the appraisal review board (ARB). Finally, premium properties can be contested a third time through litigation.
Whether you are focused on the first stage or want to go all the way to judicial appeal, O’Connor makes the perfect partner. For over 50 years, O’Connor has helped Texans achieve fair tax reduction through appeals, exemptions, and lawsuits. Based in Texas, O’Connor is one of the largest firms in the nation, combining local knowledge with national resources.
MCAD Informal Settlements
Appeals in Midland County are weighted greatly toward businesses, especially oil and gas. In total, $1.16 billion in value was trimmed thanks to informal protests. This was the third highest in the past decade. $1.12 billion came from businesses, while $40 .83 million came from single family homes. In general, there are relatively few residential appeals compared to those of businesses. This is not seen often in Texas, but is more common with industrial or trade counties like Webb.
Total Value Reduction, Formal ARB HearingsSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Billions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| $ Total Value Reduction | 0.054 | 0.064 | 0.233 | 0.210 | 0.188 | 0.237 | 0.285 | 0.603 | 0.541 | 0.479 | 0.542 |
| Single Family Residential Reduction | 0.033 | 0.020 | 0.071 | 0.072 | 0.074 | 0.043 | 0.012 | 0.028 | 0.017 | 0.006 | 0.012 |
| Commercial / Other | 0.021 | 0.044 | 0.162 | 0.138 | 0.114 | 0.194 | 0.274 | 0.574 | 0.524 | 0.473 | 0.530 |
Texas property owners should protest annually since You can’t evaluate the strength of your appeal until you obtain the hearing evidence file. You have to protest to obtain the hearing evidence file (available free upon request via U.S. mail).
MCAD Formal ARB Hearings
Formal hearings have not really been a factor in Midland until 2021. $542 million in value was reduced thanks to written determination from the ARB. This was the second-most in the history of the county. Like informal protests, this was mostly thanks to business property. $540 million in value was shed thanks to the ARB. Residences did manage to get a reduction of $12 million.
Tax Savings, Informal HearingsSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Millions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| $ Total Value Reduction | 7.66 | 8.53 | 4.33 | 5.30 | 3.22 | 21.73 | 40.24 | 35.92 | 19.04 | 21.69 | 24.34 |
| Single Family Residential Reduction | 1.19 | 0.75 | 1.87 | 2.09 | 2.03 | 1.47 | 0.92 | 1.34 | 0.84 | 0.85 | 0.86 |
| Commercial / Other | 6.47 | 7.78 | 2.46 | 3.21 | 1.19 | 20.26 | 39.33 | 34.58 | 18.20 | 20.84 | 23.48 |
Texas property owners should protest annually since Not appealing is used against property owners in the subsequent years since “you agreed to the value” (by not protesting).
Estimated Total Property Tax Informal Savings
Informal appeals saw a strong return on investment, with over $24.34 million in taxes being cut. $23.48 million came from businesses alone, a step up from 2023’s $20.84 million. Homes scored a total savings of $857,400. Both businesses and homes have seen an uptick in recent years, though neither has matched the halcyon days of 2020 or 2021. This general upward trend hopefully implies that the next cycle will be even better for taxpayers.
Tax Savings, Formal ARB HearingsSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Millions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| $ Total Value Reduction | 1.14 | 1.34 | 4.89 | 4.42 | 3.95 | 4.97 | 5.99 | 12.65 | 11.35 | 10.05 | 11.39 |
| Single Family Residential Reduction | 0.69 | 0.42 | 1.49 | 1.52 | 1.55 | 0.90 | 0.24 | 0.59 | 0.36 | 0.12 | 0.25 |
| Commercial / Other | 0.45 | 0.92 | 3.40 | 2.90 | 2.39 | 4.07 | 5.74 | 12.06 | 11.00 | 9.93 | 11.13 |
Formal Tax Savings
Hearings with the ARB followed a similar pattern, with the total of $11.39 million being the second highest ever recorded in the county. Businesses were able to land an impressive tax savings of $11.13 million. Homes, on the other hand, had one of their lowest totals yet at $250,000. Homes have generally seen better results at this stage, so 2024 could simply be an outlier.
Total Tax Savings (Informal & Formal)Source: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Millions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| $ Total Value Reduction | 8.80 | 9.87 | 9.22 | 9.72 | 7.17 | 26.70 | 46.23 | 48.57 | 30.39 | 31.74 | 35.73 |
| Single Family Residential Reduction | 1.88 | 1.17 | 3.36 | 3.61 | 3.58 | 2.37 | 1.16 | 1.93 | 1.20 | 0.97 | 1.11 |
| Commercial / Other | 6.92 | 8.70 | 5.86 | 6.11 | 3.58 | 24.33 | 45.07 | 46.64 | 29.20 | 30.77 | 34.61 |
Total Tax Savings Combined
When combined, administrative appeals resulted in a total tax savings of $35.73 million. This was the third highest on record, only beaten by 2021 and 2022. It was a strong upward trend after a few down years. This was mostly thanks to businesses, which saved a combined $34.61 million. Homes, however, had one of their lowest totals in the past decade with $1.11 million. Homeowners appeal to a tiny degree compared to businesses, which is unusual.