How To Protest Your Property Taxes

If you’re like me, your property taxes went up a lot this year, and I’m sure you have a lot of questions about why. Today let’s talk about property taxes and the proper way to go about protesting them if you think they’re too high.

Last year, the county wasn’t allowed to assess or raise taxes. To make up for it, they’ve raised property taxes by an average of 56% in Travis County. Many homeowners are feeling the pain.. If you feel your property taxes are too high, I highly recommend you protest them.

To protest taxes in the past, you could call me to gather comparable sales data to show the county why your house should be worth less. That strategy doesn’t work anymore—home values keep going up too much. The deadline to protest is May 15. 

When protesting your taxes, be sure to check that you’ve filed for all the appropriate exemptions, like the homestead exemption, over-65 exemption, and any disability exemptions you qualify for. Filing for these exemptions will save you the most money on your taxes. If you have any questions about filing, I’d love to help.

If protesting is still necessary, I recommend hiring a service to help you. I use a service called Home Tax Shield, which uses algorithms to help. They’ve been really effective for many of my clients and for myself. If you use the link to sign up for their service, you’ll save 50% on the sign-up fee, and I’ll get a kickback for referring them. I’ve set up that kickback to go to the Community First Village charity, which is close to my heart.

Just to stress the importance of protesting your taxes, it typically saves you around 3% to 5%. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it has a compounding effect to keep your tax base lower over time. 

Another thing you can do this year is vote on May 7. There are two amendments to the Texas constitution that would effectively lower your tax bill related to school funding and adjusting tax ceilings for those over 65. 

If you have any questions about protesting your property taxes or would like our assistance, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send an email. We’d love to help you.

SOLD: Tarrytown Charmer

Address: 2200 Sharon Austin, TX 78703

Neighborhood: Tarrytown

Specifications: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Approx. 2,564sqft

Large .206 acre lot

Asking Price: $1,150,000

Beautifully remodeled Tarrytown charmer on large lot. Meticulously maintained and tastefully updated throughout while still retaining its turn of the century classic charm. The kitchen was renovated in 2018, featuring quartz counters, stainless appliances and custom cabinetry. Original hardwood floors though out. Oversized master suite tucked upstairs away from the other bedrooms offers natural light, privacy and recently renovated master bathroom. Covered back patio opens up to a large backyard with low-maintenance crushed granite and turf. Short walk to Westenfield Neighborhood Park— featuring playground, pool and tennis courts. 

Schools

• Elementary: Casis

• Middle School: O’Henry

• High School: Austin High School

Taxes

• 2.1449%

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

It's Time to File Your Homestead Exemption for 2019 Home Purchases

2019 Homestead Exemptions Due April 30th!

Read below on how to file.

Happy New Year and welcome to 2020!!

We want to thank you for being such a big part of BIRDHOME in 2019. Thanks to you, Patrick was the #1 Individual Agent for Keller Williams-Austin.

It’s time to start off 2020 on the right real estate foot by filing your homestead exemption form so you can SAVE MONEY on your tax bill at the end of the year.

Depending on the price of your home, filing this exemption can potentially save you thousands of dollars per year.

Who should apply?

You! If you bought a home in 2019 and it is your primary residence, the time to apply and save is now. The deadline to apply is anytime between January 1st and April 30th.

How to Apply for a Homestead Exemption

Below are a list of counties where we sell real estate. Depending on where you live, you will download and file differently.  

Travis County Appraisal District PDF to PRINT CLICK HERE

Travis County FILE ONLINE CLICK HERE

Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 149012, Austin, TX 78714-9012 

Williamson County Appraisal District Online filing CLICK HERE

Mailing Address: 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626-8050 

Hays County Appraisal District CLICK HERE

Mailing Address: 21001 IH 35 North, Kyle, Texas 78640

What you will need to file

Besides filling out the form and sending it in, you will also need to send a copy of your Texas driver's license and the address must match the homestead address.

Cost of filing for a homestead exemption

There is absolutely no cost associated with filing your homestead exemption. You will get mail from third party vendors offering to file your exemption for a fee. Do not pay them to file for you.

Resources

Texas Comptroller’s FAQ

Texas Property Tax Exemptions Tax Code

Other Exemptions you can potentially file for are here.

As a quick recap….

(1) If you bought a home in 2019, and

(2) it’s your primary residence as of January 1st, 2020, you can

(3) apply for a homestead exemption with your county appraisal district.

(4) The deadline to file is April 30th, 2020 and

(5) you will need to include a current Texas driver’s license or ID with the address matching the homestead address.

(6) The cost associated with filing for the exemption is ABSOLUTELY FREE.

SOLD with Multiple Offers: 5202 Andover, Windsor Park, 78723

Address: 5202 Andover Austin, TX 78745

Neighborhood: Windsor Park

Specifications: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Approx. 1,455sqft - 1,116sqft + a 339sqft studio.

Lot is .264 acres.

Asking Price: $439,900

Remodeled mid-century home on large, cul-de-sac lot backing to wet weather creek and greenspace. This home has all the character you’ve been looking for in a home with modern touches. Main house is approx. 1,116sqft + a 339sqft studio. Floor to ceiling windows, tankless water heater, updated plumbing and electrical. Walking distance to Mueller, parks, restaurants, shopping.

SOLD: 801 Easy Day Cv, Turtle Creek Estates, 78745 Asking $365k

Address: 801 Easy Day Cove Austin, TX 78745

Neighborhood: Turtle Creek Estates

Specifications: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Approx. 1,200sqft

Asking Price: $365,000

Remodeled home on large, corner lot on quiet cul-de-sac. Approx. 1200sqft. Kitchen opened up to the living room, laundry room added, tankless water heater, lifetime transferable warranty on foundation, new sewer line, hvac in great shape. This is a great value for the area. Walking distance to restaurants and minutes away from downtown! Broker/owner

Home Upgrades Include:

• Foundation Repaired with lifetime transferable warranty

• Kitchen opened to the living room

• New Windows

• Luxury Vinyl Wood Floors throughout

• New custom cabinets and quartz countertops in the kitchen

• New lighting fixtures, cans and electrical outlets

• New plumbing in master bathroom, new plumbing fixtures throughout

• New tankless water heater

• New Sewer line to the street

• New Laundry Room with custom pantry