How to Appeal Property Taxes in 2025

If you think your property tax bill feels a little too high… you might be right.

The good news is, you can actually do something about it.

Most homeowners don’t realize they have the legal right to appeal their property tax assessment.

The truth is: knowing how to appeal property taxes can make a real difference in your budget, year after year.

It’s not just for attorneys or accountants. It’s for regular people like you who want to make sure they’re not being overcharged.

This guide breaks down:

• Why your tax bill might be inflated
• How the appeals process works
• What kind of savings are possible
• When to do it yourself (and when to bring in a pro)

Let’s walk through it.

Why Appeals Matter:

Property taxes increase year after year, but your home’s actual market value might not.

That means many homeowners are overpaying, often by hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.

Over time, inflated property taxes can:

• Add up to tens of thousands in extra payments
• Lower your home’s resale value
• Put unnecessary strain on your monthly budget

But if you appeal successfully, those savings apply every year in the future, not just once.

Most people assume their tax bill is just what it is. But if you’ve refinanced recently, had a home appraisal, or live in a neighborhood where values dropped, you might be getting taxed on numbers that are years out of date.”

—Wade Betz, Winning With Wade | Mortgage Education & Strategy

Step-by-Step: How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

Step 1: Watch for Unfair Increases

When you get your annual assessment, don’t just pay it.

Look at the market value they’ve assigned to your home. If it seems inflated, or hasn’t been updated to reflect recent market changes, you might have a case.

📌 Pro Tip: A value jump of 10% or more from last year is often worth questioning.

Step 2: Know Your Deadlines

Most counties only allow appeals within a short time frame after assessments go out.

This is often just 30–60 days. Miss it, and you’ll have to wait a full year.

📌 Reminder: Check your county tax assessor’s website for exact deadlines and mark your calendar.

Step 3: Research the Appeal Process in Your County

Every county is different, but most have online instructions for appeals.

Search: “[Your County] property tax appeal”

Look for:

• Required forms
• Submission deadlines
• Instructions for submitting your case
• Discounts or exemptions you may qualify for

📌 Note: Many people miss out on exemptions like:

• Homestead exemptions
• Veteran or disability discounts
• Energy-efficient home credits
• Senior or low-income programs

These can be claimed separately or alongside your appeal.

Step 4: Compare Recent Home Sales

This is the heart of your case: showing your home is overvalued compared to others nearby.

Ask a real estate agent to pull recent comps:

• Same neighborhood
• Similar square footage
• Matching features (garage, pool, basement, etc.)

If those homes are valued lower than yours, you’ve got a solid argument.

📌 Pro Tip: Ask us for our Property Comparison Spreadsheet to make this part easier, and we’ll send it right over.

Step 5: Prep a Clean One-Pager

Your appeal doesn’t need to be complicated.

Stick to the facts and make it easy to follow.

Include:

• A brief letter explaining your reason for appealing
• A table of comparable homes and sale prices
• Photos, if helpful
• Copies of your tax bill and assessment notice

📌 Note: The goal is to prove the market value assigned to your property is too high.

Step 6: Hire a Pro (Optional)

If you’re busy or don’t want to DIY, you can hire a property tax appeal expert or attorney.

Most only charge a percentage of what they save you—and only if they win.

We’ve got a referral list of trusted pros who’ve helped our clients lower their bills. Let us know if you want a copy.

What a Successful Appeal Could Save You

This isn’t just about luxury homes.

We’ve seen clients in average neighborhoods save $800–$1,200 per year.

That kind of win adds up fast:

• In 5 years: $4,000–$6,000
• In 10 years: $8,000–$12,000
• And you’re paying that every year if you don’t appeal

The sooner you fix it, the more you save.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I have to be a real estate expert to appeal?

No. With the right data and a clean presentation, anyone can do it.

Will this hurt my home’s resale value?

Not at all. Your tax value isn’t the same as market value. It only affects your property tax bill.

Can I appeal if I just refinanced?

Yes. In fact, a recent appraisal can be strong evidence if your home was valued lower than the county says.

Is there any risk in appealing?

In rare cases, a full reassessment could lead to a higher valuation. But if you present solid data and stay organized, the risk is low.

Can you help me gather sales data or comps?

Absolutely. We can pull recent sales, give you a spreadsheet template, and connect you with pros if needed.