Home address: 23302 Nichols Sawmill Rd

2021 Taxable Value: $299,020

Recent Sales Price: $177,000 – Over-taxed by 69%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Montgomery 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 appeals compare the level of assessment of your house to comparable houses, typically on a per square foot basis. It is difficult to persuade property owners to protest their property taxes. But 60 to 80% of those who do are successful.

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. It is difficult for appraisal districts to accurately value houses due to limited staff. Most tax protests are settled at the informal level so appraisers can return to measuring and valuing new construction. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car. Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.