One headache that comes with homeownership is having to deal with paying Property Taxes. Many people are unaware of the process that determines their property tax and the fact that they have the right to protest their tax.  It’s true! It requires a bit of detective work, but if you can prove your tax is too high, you can get a reduction.

Unfortunately, few people know how to go about filing a protest. That’s where we can help. Here are our tips for protesting your proper taxes in Houston.

Why do we have property taxes?

The property tax on your home is calculated using something called the mill levy and the assessed value of the property. When you protest your property tax, you are making a claim that your assessed value was too high (although there have been cases of people saying it was too low and asking to pay more!).

It may seem strange to argue that your home is worth less than the value it was assessed at, but this estimate is based more on local conditions and recent home sales than the actual state of your home.

Due to this, there is a lot of room for error in the final calculation of your property taxes. Filing a protest gives you a chance to investigate and prove whether or not this is the case.

How to protest your property taxes in Houston

As stated at the beginning of the article, if you want your protest to be successful, you’ll need to do some detective work.

Once you file your protest with the government, you’ll need to request the House Bill 201 Evidence packet from them. This packet has all the information that the county used to determine your assessed property value. This information is what you’ll have to dispute in your protest.

To do this, you’ll need evidence, and the best form of evidence are pictures. Take photos of your home that showcase negative or unattractive aspects that could reasonably drive down the assessed value. This can be things like cracks in your foundation or even nearby elements that affect your home like an abandoned building in your neighborhood. Make this process easier by thinking of yourself as a potential home buyer and collecting proof of all the things that would give you second thoughts about buying a home.

You’ll also want to closely look at the recently sold properties that the government used as comparables to your home. Check sources like Zillow and Trulia along with the MLS if you have access to it to dive deep into the features of those homes. Things like increased square footage or a finished basement can prove that these homes aren’t similar to yours.

Once you’ve compiled your evidence, you’ll want to work on putting your argument together in a short but persuasive proposal. Whoever ends up hearing your claim will likely have a mountain of appointments to get through and will appreciate it if you get right to the point and make the best use of your time.

Common misconceptions about protesting your taxes

The thought of protesting your taxes might feel scary or even unpatriotic, but it’s important to remember that it’s your right. Filing a protest doesn’t mean you think you’re above paying property taxes. What you’re really doing is ensuring that you pay your fair share.

You also don’t have to worry that arguing for a lower assessed value locks you into that same price if you ever decide to sell your home. That is no requirement to sell your home for the assessed value. Before you sell, your Realtor will help you determine the best price. After you have an offer, an appraiser will personally visit the home to verify the value.

Need to sell a house fast?

If you’re in the market to sell your home and want to make the process quick and convenient, consider working with We Buy Ugly Houses Houston. We buy houses as-is and can pay cash for your home. Get a free quote today to see if we’re a fit for working together.