Home address: 6744 Fm 920

 2021 Taxable Value: $418,780

 Recent Sales Price: $250,000   – Over-taxed by 68%

Wise County home owners are often unaware of the factors that cause them to pay extra taxes. Protest market value, get a few comparable sales as evidence and you are very likely to reduce your property taxes. An unequal appraisal appeal is easy to prepare.  Just find neighborhood homes with a lower level of assessment (per square foot).  Summarize the data in a table. Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”.  The same is true of property taxes.  If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent.

Property owners are sometimes reluctant to protest their property taxes because the believe the appeal process is difficult.  It is not difficult and 60 to 80% of owners who appeal are successful. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. Appraisal districts settle appeals at the informal level  to avoid the time consuming and expensive appraisal review board hearings. Property owners have a duty and responsibility to appraisal property taxes annually.  It is not prudent or reasonable to rely on the appraisal district’s estimate.