How Do You Challenge a High Property Tax Assessment?

By JP Fluellen

JP became a licensed real estate agent in 2010 after being a real estate investor for 2 years. He’s been a top real estate agent at Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange and has recently started the Titan Real Estate Team at eXp Realty.

With home values rising, many homeowners are shocked by higher property tax assessments. However, that doesn’t mean you have to accept them. If you believe your home has been overvalued, you have the right to challenge your tax bill. Today, I’ll walk you through how to protest your property taxes step by step.

Step 1: Understand how your home was assessed. Before you take action, take a close look at your tax assessment. Most counties estimate your home’s value based on what they think it’s worth, and not what someone would actually pay for it. Sometimes that estimate is based on flawed data or just a blanket increase across your neighborhood. Look for any errors on your assessment. Even a small mistake can raise your taxes. Here are some examples:

• Wrong square footage
• Extra rooms you don’t have
• Property listed as a different type
• Improvements listed that don’t exist

Also, if you’ve pulled permits for home improvements, they might assume your home is worth more now—even if the work isn’t finished or didn’t add much value.

Step 2: Gather solid proof. If you want to challenge your tax bill, you need good evidence. Here’s what I recommend:

• Comparable sales (comps): Find homes like yours that sold for less. Print them out or save screenshots.
• Condition issues: If your house needs repairs, take photos. You can also get contractor estimates to show the cost.
• Market trends: If values in your area have dropped or stayed flat, pull the data to support your claim.
• CMA or BPO: I recommend asking a real estate agent (like me) for a comparative market analysis or a broker’s price opinion. Even if it costs a few hundred dollars, it could save you thousands in taxes.

I’ve used these methods myself to successfully reduce taxes on five of my rental properties.

Step 3: File your protest before the deadline. Timing is everything. Each county sets a deadline for filing an appeal. If you miss it, you’re stuck with the higher tax bill—even if you have a strong case. Here’s what to do:

• Find your local deadline. This is usually 30 to 60 days after you get your assessment.
• Fill out the appeal form. Your county should have one. Attach all your documents and supporting evidence.
• Prepare for a hearing. In some cases, you may need to meet with the assessor or a review board. Bring your comps, photos, and CMA.

If the assessor pushes back, stay calm. Be realistic with your numbers. Don’t ask for a huge drop unless you can prove it. In most areas, a 3% to 7% yearly increase is expected. If your new value jumps beyond that, you have a strong case.

If your property tax bill seems too high, don’t just assume it’s correct. Review your assessment, gather evidence, and file an appeal if needed. Many homeowners see success in getting their taxes reduced, but you must take action to make it happen. If you need help in navigating the process, you can call or text me at 307-772-1184 or email me at jp@titanreteam.com. I’m here to guide you through it to ensure you are not paying more than you should on your property taxes.