What really works in reducing property taxes? – 2021

 “80% of success is showing up”, according to actor Woody Allen. For property taxes, its 85%. Filing an appeal and showing up for the informal or formal hearing reduces property taxes 85% of the time, based on data compiled by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hager. It’s really that simple. Home owners who appealed directly or through a tax consultant were successful 85% of the time in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available.

Not protesting your tax assessment results in voluntarily over-paying property taxes. The computer guesstimate generated by the assessor is just not accurate considering market value and unequal appraisal.

Pictures are very helpful in telling a story. It can be any true story. Photos of dated bathrooms or kitchens, deferred maintenance, damage from pets are all helpful. Deferred maintenance can include an old roof, cracks in sheetrock due to settling, old/dated flooring or peeling paint. Pictures documenting factors that would reduce the sale price for a home are surefire winners for property tax appeals.