Overpaying On Property Taxes? How A Property Tax Appeal Could Save You Thousands
February 03, 2026 9
Key Takeaways:
- Appeal Opportunity: Many homeowners are eligible to challenge their assessed value and reduce their property tax bill.
- Exemptions Matter: Texas offers a range of exemptions that can lower your taxable value significantly.
- No Cost to File: Filing a tax grievance is free and could lead to ongoing savings year after year.
Most homeowners in Texas don’t think twice about their property tax bill. The number arrives in the mail each year, and many people assume it’s accurate and unavoidable. But the truth is, property assessments can be wrong. Whether it’s a mistake in square footage, outdated home details, or comparisons to remodeled homes in the area, overvaluations are more common than most realize. A tax grievance gives you the legal path to challenge that number and possibly lower your tax bill.
At Property Tax Solutions, we focus on one thing: reducing property tax bills for Texans. That’s it. We know the process inside and out because it’s all we do. Our team has helped thousands of property owners uncover savings by challenging inaccurate valuations and correcting records. From residential to commercial properties, we manage the research, build strong cases, and advocate on your behalf to get fair results.
What Is A Tax Grievance?
A tax grievance, often called a property tax appeal, is a formal process to challenge your property’s assessed value with your local appraisal district. This assessed value is what determines your annual property tax bill, and if it’s set too high, you could be paying far more than necessary.
In many cases, the appraisal doesn’t fully reflect your property’s real market value. Data errors, outdated records, or comparisons to homes with better features can all lead to inflated assessments. A tax grievance gives you the chance to correct those issues. When successful, it lowers your property’s assessed value and in turn, your tax bill.
At Property Tax Solutions, we help property owners navigate this process with clarity. We analyze your assessment, gather strong evidence, and build a case for why your valuation deserves to be lowered. For many homeowners, this can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings each year, without needing to become an expert on real estate or tax codes.
How To Determine If Your Property Is Overvalued
Think your property taxes are too high? One of the most common reasons is an inflated assessed value. Here’s how to find out if your property is overvalued and whether it’s time to take action:
Review Your Notice Of Appraised Value
Each year, your local appraisal district sends a notice that outlines their estimate of your property’s market value. This figure is based on what they believe your home would have sold for as of January 1. Start by checking for large year-over-year increases or basic errors in property details such as square footage, building type, or improvements.
Compare Recent Sales In Your Area
To assess whether the appraisal aligns with market conditions, look at homes in your neighborhood that have recently sold. Focus on properties similar in size, condition, age, and location. Sites like Realtor.com, Redfin, or your county’s appraisal database can help identify relevant sales.
Make Adjustments For Differences
Very few properties are identical, so raw sale prices don’t tell the whole story. You’ll need to adjust for differences like renovations, lot size, or square footage. For example, if a comparable home sold for $400,000 and has a renovated kitchen that yours doesn’t, you’ll want to reduce the value accordingly in your comparison.
Watch For Sales That Skew The Data
Some properties may appear comparable on the surface but distort your analysis. Distressed sales, investor flips, or homes with unique views or oversized lots can throw off averages. Stick to three to five solid comps that are truly in line with your property’s features and condition.
Build A Simple Value Comparison
After collecting comps and making adjustments, line up your findings against the appraised value listed in your notice. If the adjusted market value comes in significantly lower than what the district recorded, you may have a valid case for appeal. Keep notes, photos, and screenshots of your data to support your position during the grievance process.
Other Tax-Saving Strategies For Texas Homeowners
Lowering your property taxes isn’t only about appealing your appraisal. Texas offers several exemptions that can reduce the amount of your home’s value that’s subject to taxation. Understanding and applying these tools can lead to meaningful, long-term savings:
Homestead Exemption
If your home is your primary residence, you likely qualify for a Homestead Exemption. This exemption reduces the taxable value of your property, which means a smaller tax bill. Once approved, it stays in place as long as you continue living in the home.
Over-65 Exemption
Homeowners aged 65 or older can receive an additional exemption on top of the Homestead Exemption. This provides greater relief by further lowering the taxable portion of the home’s value. It’s one of the most effective ways for seniors to manage rising property tax costs.
Disabled Person And Veteran Exemptions
Texans with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for an exemption similar in value to the Over-65 benefit. Veterans may also qualify for partial or full exemptions based on disability ratings or service status. These can significantly reduce or even eliminate annual property taxes in some cases.
Surviving Spouse Exemptions
Surviving spouses of disabled veterans or first responders may be eligible for continuing property tax relief. These exemptions honor the service and sacrifice of loved ones while offering financial protection to the surviving homeowner. Qualification typically requires that the spouse has not remarried and continues to occupy the home as a primary residence.
Steps To File A Property Tax Grievance In Texas
Filing a property tax grievance may sound complex, but the process is more straightforward than many homeowners expect. By preparing the right documents and understanding the basic timeline, you can take control of your property tax situation. Here’s how the process typically works from start to finish:
Review Your Appraisal Notice
Your county appraisal district will send a Notice of Appraised Value each spring, usually between March and April. This notice shows what they believe your property was worth as of January 1. Check for errors or unexpected increases, especially in square footage, property type, or missing exemptions.
Research Comparable Sales
Start gathering sales data from similar homes in your neighborhood. These should have sold within the last year and match your home in size, age, and condition. Adjust the sale prices for any differences like remodeling or extra features that your property may not have.
Submit A Notice Of Protest
You’ll need to complete and file a Notice of Protest form with your local appraisal district. The deadline is either May 15 or 30 days after your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. Be clear in your reason for protesting, usually citing market value discrepancies or unequal appraisal compared to similar properties.
Gather Supporting Evidence
Build a file that includes your adjusted comparable sales, photos showing property condition, repair estimates if applicable, and any other documents that support your case. The more organized and detailed your information, the stronger your protest will be.
Attend The Appraisal Review Board Hearing
If your protest isn’t resolved informally, you’ll present your case at a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board. This is your chance to walk through your evidence, explain your reasoning, and ask for a corrected value. Most homeowners see results at this stage, though you can appeal further if needed.
Final Thoughts
Overpaying on property taxes is more common than many homeowners realize. Valuations are often based on broad data sets that do not always reflect a property’s true condition, recent market activity, or simple record errors. Taking the time to review your assessment can uncover opportunities to lower your tax burden and keep more money in your pocket.
A tax grievance is not about disputing taxes altogether. It is about making sure the value used to calculate your bill is fair and accurate. When combined with available exemptions, an appeal can help create long-term savings and prevent inflated values from carrying over year after year.
If you are curious whether your property may be overvalued, it can be helpful to start with a quick review. Property Tax Solutions offers an easy way to explore potential savings by checking your property online. You can learn more by visiting their savings check tool and seeing if a tax grievance may be worth pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Grievance
What is the deadline to file a tax grievance in Texas?
The deadline is typically May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails your Notice of Appraised Value, whichever is later. Missing this window means you must wait until the following tax year to appeal.
Can I appeal my property taxes if I already paid them?
Yes, paying your property tax does not remove your right to file a grievance. You can still appeal the assessed value and, if successful, receive a refund or credit.
Do property tax appeals affect future appraisals?
They can. Successfully lowering your property’s assessed value sets a lower baseline, which can help control increases in future years.
Is there a fee to file a property tax grievance?
No, filing a grievance with your county appraisal district is free. However, if you hire a professional to assist you, they may charge a flat fee or take a percentage of your savings.
Can I appeal my commercial property taxes the same way as residential?
Yes, commercial property owners can file grievances using similar steps. The evidence requirements and valuation methods may be more complex, often involving income data or professional appraisals.
How long does it take to receive a decision after the hearing?
Most property owners receive a decision from the Appraisal Review Board within a few days after the hearing. Any reductions in value will be reflected in your updated tax bill shortly after.
Can I appeal for multiple years if my property was overvalued in the past?
In general, appeals apply only to the current tax year. However, if the error was due to a clerical mistake or fraud, some counties may allow retroactive corrections.
Will filing a tax grievance trigger a reassessment or audit?
No, filing a grievance is a standard part of the process and does not trigger an audit. Appraisal districts expect and manage thousands of appeals each year.
Is it possible to appeal a valuation without attending the hearing in person?
Yes, many counties allow hearings by phone, video call, or written affidavit. This makes the process more accessible, especially for those with scheduling conflicts.
Do I need an attorney or property tax consultant to file a grievance?
You do not need one, but working with a consultant can improve your chances of success, especially for complex properties or when comparable sales are hard to find.