Home address: 5442 Atwood Canyon Ct

2021 Taxable Value: $368,020

Recent Sales Price: $270,000 – Over-taxed by 36%

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.

Some homeowners do not appeal property taxes because they are not aware of this right. You can and should protest both market value and unequal appraisal annually. It is impossible for 2,272 Texas appraisal district appraisers to track physical condition and value for over 20 million properties. Appraisal districts usually settle appeals at the informal hearing since it costs less and takes fewer resources. 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.