Home address: 3803 Wilson St

2021 Taxable Value: $740,849

Recent Sales Price: $450,000 – Over-taxed by 65%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Travis County owners to pay extra 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. Property tax appeals are often won with a smile and a bit of data.

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 are willing to settle property tax appeals because they realize their values are not precise. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car. Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.