Home address: 5913 Trail Lake Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $262,878  

Recent Sales Price: $170,000 – Overtaxed by 55%

Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Protest market value, get a few comparable sales as evidence and you are very likely to reduce your property taxes. Unequal appraisal appeals compare the level of assessment of your house to comparable houses, typically on a per square foot basis. It is difficult to persuade property owners to protest their property taxes.  But 60 to 80% of those who do are successful. 

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. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. Appraisal districts aggressively settle appeals since they have only 65 days to settle most of the appeals. Protest your property taxes on market value and unequal appraisal by May 15th annually. Protest even if you do not receive a value notice.