Disputing your Texas Real Estate Taxes

Real estate taxes can be a real headache, and that is an understatement. Every year, homeowners in Texas complain about their rising tax obligations, and this isn’t just a state-concentrated problem. It’s happening across the country.

What can raise your taxes?

Anything from the rising land/property value in your area to the home improvements you’ve made in the past can raise your real estate taxes in Texas. Most of the time, assessors are asked to look inside your home and assess the true selling value of the property. Other times, they also just generalize. They can acquire the median value of homes in your neighborhood and that’s the value they assign your home.

How can you fight this?

What you should do first is to get the real estate tax values assigned to at least five similar properties in your area. Take note of the differences in the structure, and see how these compare to your own property’s assessed value. You need to prove that the taxes assigned to your property were unjustified.

You can also explore exemptions which may not have been applied to your property taxes. You’ll be surprised at how much tax shields can lower your real estate tax obligations to make use of them. To get the most accurate comparisons, choose properties which are in the same block. Assessors might argue that the properties six blocks away from your home have different land values; hence, the lower rates.

When to take action

Don’t just sit on your real estate tax problem. You’re only given 60 days to dispute an unfair property assessment, and if you’re unable to question this in that time span, you’ll be obliged to pay the full amount assessed by the city hall. Call for a hearing as soon as you can. Most of the time, people find it unnecessary to hire tax lawyers to back up their claims, but if you want to speed up the process, Texas real estate tax lawyers do come in handy, especially when it comes to collating the information that you need.

Also, regular citizens who have not studies the law closely might be unable to identify the tax exemptions they’re entitled to. Don’t waste your money every year just because you didn’t file for these exemptions. The bureau is only trying to gather enough money for the state, but sometimes, without even meaning to, they could overcharge you because they simply don’t have the time to identify your tax exemptions for you.

Filing fee

Also remember that filing for tax disputes may cost you a bit of your time and money. The filing fees range between $5 and $30. Your attorney’s fees are also relative. Look at your situation closely. If you think you have a pretty strong case, go ahead and dispute your real estate taxes.

If you’re just taking the shot even if you don’t have solid proof that your property’s assessments were indeed off the bracket, think about the financial damages that this procedure will cost you. It’s advisable, actually, to make an informal appeal first to your property’s assessor. If this doesn’t work, that’s the only time you should bring the argument to court.

The author of this article has expertise in Austin homes for sale. The articles about Cedar Park real estate reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.