Home address: 21610 Emerald Ridge Cir

2021 Taxable Value: $269,170

Recent Sales Price: $145,000 – Over-taxed by 86%

Most home owners who do not appeal annually pay excess property taxes. Either comparable sales or condition issues at your home are useful for a market value appeal of property taxes. Unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. 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.

Property owners are sometimes reluctant to protest their property taxes because the believe the appeal process is difficult.  It is not difficult and 60 to 80% of owners who appeal are successful. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. Appraisal districts are receptive to settling property tax protests for houses at the informal level because it has only a nominal impact on the total tax base. Protest your property taxes on market value and unequal appraisal by May 15th annually.  Protest even if you do not receive a value notice.