Every year, thousands of property owners overpay on their property taxes simply because they believe common myths about the system. These misunderstandings can cost thousands of dollars over time.
If you are wondering “is it worth protesting property taxes in Texas?”, the answer is almost always yes. However, you need to separate fact from fiction. Here are the most expensive property tax myths we see—and the reality behind them.
Even small increases can result in significant tax hikes, especially on high-value properties.
A $50,000 increase on a commercial property could mean thousands in additional taxes. Over several years, that adds up quickly. Furthermore, if you don’t fight property tax increases now, next year’s value will start from a higher baseline. Even modest increases should be reviewed and challenged.
Reality: Even modest increases should be reviewed and, when appropriate, protested.
Appraisal districts handle hundreds of thousands of properties each year. They rely on mass appraisal models, not individual inspections.
Reality: Mistakes are common, including:
Finding just one of these errors is often how to protest property taxes and win a reduction.
Many owners assume that if their value stayed the same, they have no grounds to protest.
Reality: You have valid reasons to protest property taxes if:
Owners often underestimate the impact of a successful protest.
Reality: A reduction of:
Many owners avoid protesting because they worry about the property tax protest cost or think the process is difficult.
Reality: Most protests:
Are property tax protest companies worth it? Generally, yes. Because many firms work on a contingency basis, you only pay a percentage of the tax savings. If they don’t lower your taxes, you typically don’t pay a fee. This makes the process risk-free for the owner.
Some owners think that because a property is new or recently purchased, the value is automatically correct.
Reality: New construction is often:
The Real Cost of Believing These Myths
Property taxes are one of the largest operating expenses for real estate owners. Overpaying even a small amount each year can result in tens of thousands of dollars in lost cash flow over time.
A simple review or protest can:
Don’t let property tax myths cost you money. PropertyTaxes.Law reviews properties every day and knows where appraisal districts make mistakes. Let us handle the protest process and take the worry off your shoulders.
Call us today at 832-919-8800 for a free, no-obligation review of your property taxes.
In most cases, the deadline to protest property taxes in Texas is May 15th, or 30 days after the appraisal district mails your Notice of Appraised Value—whichever is later. It is critical to file on time, as late protests are rarely accepted without a strong reason.
The property tax protest cost depends on how you handle it. You can file for free on your own. If you hire a firm, most professional services work on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and the fee is just a percentage of the taxes they save you. If they don’t lower your taxes, you generally don’t pay.
To win a protest, you need evidence. Successful property tax protest evidence often includes:
Yes. Most appraisal districts in Texas allow you to file your Notice of Protest via their website using their “e-file” system. However, while filing is easy, gathering the data to win the argument is harder. Many owners choose to hire a professional to ensure the evidence is presented correctly.
Brandon and his team have proven they can perform with any product type we give them,
from industrial and office property to single and multi-family residential.
At a critical time when a property was in lease-up, we were faced with an unreasonable and unjustified assessment.
Brandon’s tenacity and responsiveness resulted in a fair assessment and the largest value change I've seen in my career.
Outstanding!! These guys are pros - they are great at what they do and great to work with.