Home address: 503 Del Mar Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $314,286 

Recent Sales Price: $246,000 – Over-taxed by 28%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Denton County owners to pay extra taxes. Market value property tax appeals save homeowners an average of $500, according to Texas Comptroller Glen Hager, for 2019. Unequal appraisal appeals are valid when the assessment is below market value. The Texas Comptroller reports 80% of 2019 property tax appeals by homeowners were successful. 

Some homeowners believe “you can’t fight city hall.”  But property owners win 60 to 80% of property tax appeals. Owners are sometimes reluctant to protest property taxes due to a concern their value might be raised.  This can’t and does not happen.  Since 2019, neither the appraisal district or the appraisal review board can increase a property tax assessment during a protest. One reason it is difficult for appraisal districts to correctly value homes is they are not homogenous.  Some have been remodeled and some haven’t. One reason appraisal districts are motivated to settle protests is to maintain goodwill with the community. 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.