Ever looked at your property tax bill and thought, “This number can’t be right?” You’re not alone. A lot of Appealing your Texas property tax assessment homeowners in Texas feel like their property tax assessment is way too high. The good news? You can challenge it. Most people don’t, and that’s exactly why appraisal districts don’t expect pushback. Here’s the truth—Texas property taxes are some of the highest in the country, and if your home’s assessed value is inflated, you’re probably paying more than you should. Want to know how to fight it? Let’s go.
Does Your Property’s Assessed Value Even Make Sense?
The first step is figuring out if your home is assessed fairly. Just because your county says your house is worth a fortune doesn’t mean it actually is.
- Compare your home’s value to similar homes that sold recently—called “comps.”
- Look at last year’s assessment. Did it randomly jump?
- Check for mistakes—square footage, number of bedrooms, or any errors that could inflate your value.
If anything looks off, you have a case. But you can’t just walk in and say, “Hey, I think this is wrong.” You need solid proof.
How to Challenge Your Texas Property Tax Assessment
Time matters here. Texas has strict deadlines for property tax appeals, and missing them means you’re stuck paying whatever they assigned.
Here’s the basic process:
- File a protest. Most counties let you do this online, by mail, or in person. Look for the Notice of Appraised Value that gets mailed out. The deadline is usually May 15.
- Gather your evidence. This includes sales comps, repair estimates if the property has damage, photos, and even professional appraisals.
- Informal meeting. Some appraisal districts let you meet with them first to work it out before a formal hearing. This is where good evidence makes all the difference.
- Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing. If the informal route doesn’t work, the ARB steps in. This is where you present your argument and evidence.
If that doesn’t work, you can take it higher—district court, arbitration, or even the State Office of Administrative Hearings. But most cases don’t go that far.
What Evidence Helps Your Property Tax Appeal?
Showing up and saying “I think you overcharged me” won’t get you anywhere. You need proof.
Here’s what actually helps:
- Comparable home sales. Homes in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessment.
- Incorrect property details. Errors in square footage, bedrooms, or even legal descriptions.
- Photos of needed repairs. If your home has major problems (like a damaged roof or foundation issues), that can lower the value.
- Professional appraisals. Yes, they cost money, but a lower tax bill could make it worth the investment.
- Sales data. Prove that the local market is slower, which could reduce your home’s value.
What If You Lose Your Appeal?
Not every appeal wins, but that doesn’t mean you give up.
If the ARB denies your appeal, you have two options:
- File for binding arbitration. This is faster and usually cheaper than going to court.
- Sue in district court. If you have a strong case, this could be an option.
Most cases settle long before that happens. But even if you lose, at least you know you tried.
FAQs
When is the deadline to file a Texas property tax appeal?
Generally, it’s May 15. If you get your Notice of Appraised Value later, the deadline is 30 days from when you got it.
How much can I actually save?
It depends on how much they overvalued your home. Some people save hundreds, others save thousands. It all comes down to how inflated your assessed value is.
Can I appeal every year?
Yes, and you should—especially if property values seem inflated.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not usually. Most appeals are straightforward. But if you’re dealing with a high-value property or complex real estate, a professional could help.
Conclusion
Challenging your Texas property tax assessment isn’t hard, but it does take effort. The key is knowing your numbers, gathering evidence, and pushing back when something looks off.“`
