Home address: 4403 Edison St
2021 Tax Assessment: $390,820
Recent Sales Price: $215,000 – Over-taxed by 82%
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. 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. 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.
Some homeowners believe “you can’t fight city hall.” But property owners win 60 to 80% of property tax appeals. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. 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.
