Home address: 2413 Speidel Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $428,172

Recent Sales Price: $259,000 – Over-taxed by 65%

Travis County property investors far too often pay excess property taxes. Market value property tax appeals save home owners an average of $500, according to Texas Comptroller Glen Hager, for 2019. 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.

Many owners do not protest because they do not understand the process.  Most would appeal if they know how easy it is the high chance of success. Appraisal districts use the cost approach to value houses.  It is generally considered the least reliable method of appraisal. Appraisal districts usually settle appeals at the informal hearing since it costs less and takes fewer resources. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car.  Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.