Home address: 12242 Alston Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $235,210

Recent Sales Price: $188,375 – Over-taxed by 25%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Fort Bend County owners to pay extra taxes. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given the large number of houses they value and that are protested. Unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. The Texas Comptroller reports 80% of 2019 property tax appeals by home owners were successful.

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. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. Most tax protests are settled at the informal level so appraisers can return to measuring and valuing new construction. Property owners have a duty and responsibility to appraisal property taxes annually. It is not prudent or reasonable to rely on the appraisal district’s estimate.