01How property tax is calculated
Annual tax = Assessed Value × total tax rate. The rate stacks multiple taxing units (school district, county, city, community college, hospital district); some TX locales exceed 2.5%, while LA is generally 0.25%–0.5% with a different assessment method. There are two legal ways to shrink the bill: exemptions and protests/appeals.
02The Homestead Exemption
This is the biggest lever for owner-occupants. Texas: exempts up to $40,000 of assessed value (some counties more, locally optional), and caps the school-district appraisal increase at 10% per year (Appraisal Cap). Louisiana: a constitutional $7,500 assessed-value exemption (parishes may add) plus a freeze for seniors. File at the county appraisal district by April 15 (or postmark); once granted it usually auto-renews.
03Other common exemptions
- 65+ / disabled: TX adds $10,000+ and freezes school taxes; LA freezes;
- Veterans / disabled veterans: partial or full exemption by service and disability rating;
- Agriculture / Timber / Wildlife (AG / Timber): taxed on productivity value, not market value — large savings;
- Disability modifications, solar: some parishes add local relief.
04How much can the assessed value rise each year
TX Homestead caps the annual increase at 10% (school portion). Non-owner-occupied (investment) property has no cap and can jump with the market — exactly why investors must protest. LA also limits increases for owner-occupants; investments get no protection.
05The appeal window & process
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Receive Notice | Each spring the county mails a Notice of Appraised Value (NOA); note the protest deadline (usually May 15 or 30 days after mailing) |
| File Protest | Online or by form; check reasons (value too high / unequal / unlawful) |
| Informal meeting | Talk with an appraisal reviewer — often a small on-the-spot cut |
| ARB hearing | If unresolved, go before the Appraisal Review Board; present yourself or hire help |
| Outcome | A cut takes effect that year; further judicial review is rare |
06Three protest grounds & evidence
- Overvaluation: use comparable sales from the last 6–12 months to show your assessment exceeds the market;
- Unequal Appraisal: similar nearby homes assessed lower — list 3–5 comps with per-sq-ft comparison;
- Error: wrong square footage, type, lot, or unrecorded defects (foundation / termites).
07DIY or hire help
Small bills (under ~$1,500) are best done yourself; many counties publish "evidence packet" templates. For larger or multi-property portfolios, hire a property tax consultant (contingency 25%–50% of savings, no savings no fee) or an appraiser. Note TX requires consultants to register and disclose fees.
08Landlord edition: cutting tax on rentals
Rentals get no Homestead, so protests carry the load. Playbook: ① protest every year, never skip; ② use comps to push the value down; ③ document hard defects (aged roof, vacancy, foundation); ④ bundle multiple properties with one consultant. After Houston's 2020 run-up many rentals are over-assessed and protest has perennial room.
09Payment & penalties
- TX bills mail in October, pay by January 31; late adds 6% per month + interest, and eventually a tax-sale auction;
- LA fiscal year runs January–December, typically paid late in the year; late penalties apply;
- Loaned homes escrow taxes, but owners should still verify the bill isn't overcharged.
Want us to pull Houston/Lafayette rental comps and fill the protest evidence packet for you? WeChat/WhatsApp: (337) 967-5561 · sophie.z@beyondrealtyusa.com.
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