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Should You Protest Your Property Taxes in Austin?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

Every state is different in how property taxes are levied and due. In Texas the year your taxes are due (the current year) you will receive a notice of Appraised Value from the Appraisal District around the middle of March - April 1st and have until May 16th to protest your taxes.  If you file a protest you will receive a scheduled time from the Appraisal District. You can gather comparable sales yourself or hire a company who will handle it for you.

Your notice contains 3 important values:

Market value: This is the value based on what your property would sell for as of January 1.

Assessed value: This is the reduced value of your property based on limitations provided having a homestead exemption.

Taxable value: This is the assessed value minus the exemptions amounts. It is the value used to calculate your property taxes for each taxing unit (if your over 65 your school taxes are frozen the year you turn 65).

This year we had the greatest increase in Market Value. When there is a steep increase, the homestead often saves your tax burden; however, protesting your value in a year where there is a steep increase is vital to your valuation in future years. If your appraised value this year was not protested you can almost guarantee a 10% increase in your taxes every year for the foreseeable future.

Next time you have a question about property taxes in Travis County in Austin TX, please reach out to me….I can help. Several people in the Canyon Creek community reached out to me for sold comparable sales which I happily supplied. I also have several companies that can handle it for you and I’d be happy to share them with you.

 

 

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I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Comments (25)

Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I never even thought about doing this until my aunt in Texas asked me to look over her protest.  It made sense and she won.

Aug 10, 2022 05:03 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Laura Cerrano : Thank you for commenting

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat : That is a plus for you for sure.

Aug 10, 2022 06:44 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker : The process is easy and well worth it.

Hi Kat Palmiotti : Good for you! That saved your client a lot of money!

Aug 10, 2022 06:45 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Wayne Martin : Our protest don't require an attorney and can easily be done with the help of a real estate agent providing comparable sales to a home owner or paying a tax advisor $59 to do it for you.

Aug 10, 2022 06:47 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Brian England : Good for her! I just received an 11% reduction on my protest!

Aug 10, 2022 06:48 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Seems like the process is worth looking into Dorie, and this is a great reminder for your clients.

Aug 10, 2022 07:30 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Dorie,
This is a great subject to bring to people's attention. I don't think a lot of people know this is an option.  I protested my property taxes once and won. 

Aug 10, 2022 08:26 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dorie- this is excellent information for all of us. I have a feeling that the thought of protesting is daunting to most homeowners. Knowing that there is someone who can help them takes a lot of the pressure off. 

Aug 10, 2022 01:02 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dorie a 10% increase in property taxes is not the kind of news a homeowners wants to hear when we are in the mist of rising prices in everything.

Aug 10, 2022 03:06 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

It's good to know that you are able to do that, Dorie, especially in changing markets! Thanks for the information.

Aug 10, 2022 05:48 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 : I know in Texas it is definitely worth it to try!

Hi Carol Williams : I agree with you..many don't know its an option or don't know they have a good chance of lowering their property tax Assessment.

 

Aug 11, 2022 04:29 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Kathy Streib : This year more than any year in Texas with the huge increase they levied on market value it is crucial to get it lowered for future year evaluations.

Aug 11, 2022 04:30 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Dore- I have a handle on this in York York but I  need to find out more about Port Saint Lucie.  It is a growing area. but I can't use Florida Homestead and New York STAR at the same time.

Aug 13, 2022 03:06 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning George Souto : You are exactly right..that 10% on your property taxes coupled with inflation is killing Americans.

Hi Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! : Protesting is not that difficult and this year more than any with the steep rise everyone should be protesting!

Aug 13, 2022 06:12 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Grant Schneider : Each state is different so you will have to find out what you can do in Port Saint Lucie. I would give Gabe Sanders a call wasn't he your Realtor?

Aug 13, 2022 06:14 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Here in AZ according to state law, property taxes cannot increase more than 5%.  So far living here taxes have never gone more than 5%.  Even if the county does not change the tax rate, the increase value will increase property taxes.

Aug 13, 2022 07:56 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Aug 13, 2022 06:46 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Kathy Streib,

Thank you so much for featuring my post!

Aug 14, 2022 10:38 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Leanne,

Each state is so different. Some have exemptions and some don't. We have Homestead Exemptions you can apply for on your primary residence. When you turn 65 you can apply to have your school taxes frozen.

Aug 14, 2022 11:03 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

The only way to win an appeal on a property tax value is to get your own appraiser or qualified agent to do a proper analysis and go in with you to defend it.  Even if they charge for their time, it will be worth it for the savings it brings

Aug 14, 2022 05:27 PM