Home address: 716 Bluebonnet Ln

2021 Tax Assessment: $179,800

Recent Sales Price: $114,300 – Over-taxed by 57%

Dallas County homeowners are often unaware of the factors that cause them to pay extra taxes. Most market value protests are successful, typically saving the owner hundreds or thousands of dollars. Unequal appraisal appeals compare the level of assessment of your house to comparable houses, typically on a per square foot basis. Property tax appeals are often won with a smile and a bit of data.

Owners are sometimes reluctant to protest property taxes due to a concern their value might be raised.  This can’t and does not happen.  It is difficult for appraisal districts to accurately value homes since they rarely or never see the houses. Appraisal districts settle appeals at the informal level to avoid the time-consuming and expensive appraisal review board hearings. Property taxes are the largest tax most Texans face.  But it is a stealth tax hidden in the mortgage payment, disguising the size of property taxes paid.