A property tax appeal (also called a property tax protest) is the process of challenging your county's assessed value. If you believe your property is overvalued, you can file an appeal and present evidence to have it reduced.
Every property owner has the right to appeal. You're not fighting the tax rate—you're disputing the value your county assigned to your home. If you win, your assessed value drops, and so does your annual tax bill.
The process varies by state. In Texas, you file a protest with your county's appraisal district, attend a hearing, and present your case. In California, you file an Assessment Appeal Application with the county's Assessment Appeals Board. Both states allow informal negotiations before formal hearings.
Here's the reality: roughly 60% of properties are overassessed. Counties use mass appraisal methods that often miss the nuances of individual homes. They might not know about your foundation issues, outdated kitchen, or the busy road that hurts your value.
Successful appeals typically reduce assessed values by 10-15%. On a $500,000 home with a 2.5% tax rate, that's $1,250 to $1,875 saved—every year.
The catch? Most homeowners never file. They assume the county is right or that the process is too complicated. It's not.
Maria received her property tax notice showing an assessed value of $520,000. She knew similar homes in her neighborhood recently sold for $460,000-$480,000.
She filed an appeal, gathered comparable sales data, and presented her case. The appraisal review board agreed—her assessed value dropped to $470,000.
Before: $520,000 × 2.4% = $12,480/year
After: $470,000 × 2.4% = $11,280/year
Annual savings: $1,200
Maria will save that amount every year until her property is reassessed higher.
In Texas, submit a Notice of Protest to your county appraisal district by May 15 (or 30 days after your notice, whichever is later). In California, file an Assessment Appeal Application with your county clerk between July 2 and November 30. You can also hire a property tax consultant to handle the process for you.
The strongest evidence includes comparable sales (recent sales of similar homes at lower prices), photos of property condition issues, independent appraisals, and data showing your assessed value is higher than similar neighboring properties.
Success rates vary by county, but many homeowners who file appeals win some reduction. In Texas, approximately 70% of protests result in reduced values. Hiring an experienced consultant typically improves your odds.