Property Tax Protest Success Rates: What the Data Shows May Surprise You!
Do property tax protests actually work? The data says yes—with 80%+ success rates in Texas and meaningful reductions in California. This guide breaks down actual success rate statistics, average savings by county, and the real cost of NOT protesting.
Key Takeaways:
Texas Success Rates
Informal hearings: 85-95% result in reduction
ARB hearings: 74-77% get reductions
Overall: ~80% of protests succeed with evidence
Why So High?
- Mass appraisal limitations
- You know your home better
- Districts prefer settling reasonable cases
- Assessments often have cushion built in
Average Savings
- Harris County: ~$100-150/year
- Dallas/Fort Worth: $500-$1,500
- Travis County: $1,000-$2,000+
California Rates
- 38% of appeals resulted in reductions (2023-24)
- Higher rates during market downturns
What Winners Do
- Show up with evidence
- Prepare thoroughly
- Ask for reasonable values
- Actually attend hearings
Cost of NOT Protesting
- $50,000 overassessment = $800-900/year extra
- 10 years = $8,000-$9,000 lost
- Assessments compound annually
Paying Too Much in Property Taxes?
Let our licensed property tax experts assess your tax bill for potential savings. Over 80% of protests get a reduction of more than $1,000 and it takes less than 3 minutes to enroll.
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FAQs
Why are Texas success rates higher than California?
California's Prop 13 already caps annual increases at 2%, so assessed values are typically suppressed for long-term owners.
What if I lose my protest?
You're no worse off than if you hadn't protested. Your assessed value stays the same.
Ryder Meehan
Ryder Meehan is the Co-Founder of TaxDrop and a Licensed Property Tax Protest Consultant
