Houstonag said:

---

Do not rely on the appeal to the board. At best you will get some token decrease if at all. The members are courted by the local school district and the muni staff and council members. They want to fund their projects and so called maintenance. They need to focus on efficiency budget responsibly.

One recent group I know voted for a 5% across the board salary increase for all employees. I asked to justify this move when people I know lost their jobs during this covid shut down and still looking for employment other than a fast food business.

They are just like DC. The spend, spend …….

---

What other avenue do we have? You can appeal it or sell and downgrade with all of the tradeoffs that brings for the latter.

Those are your options.

Brother in law and sister's house in Robinson

• 3 bed
• 2 bath
• 1700sqft
• 2 car garage
• .25 acres
• mature trees on lot

2013 - appraised at $89k assessed at $86k
2022 - appraised at $130k assessed at $130k

They've redone their roof, fence, painted the outside, fixed foundation, updated kitchen and bathrooms.

The market valuation is not capped, but the taxable value is for your homestead. The problem is that the taxable value can go up 10% every year. This is not sustainable because income is not going up at that rate. The cost to stay in your home goes up every year as a percentage of income.

Loophole in the state tax law since 1998 or so guarantees REITs and large commercial real estate owners will never pay this fair share, placing extreme pressure on residential real estate owners. We have a $4 million hotel property that had its appraised value dropped to $2.8 million after hired gun law firm sued our appraisal district under "equal and uniform."

Counties don't have the resources to fight these evil Austin attorneys and their fat cat clients.

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

this is tricky though.

Why would I ever move, if I'm going to assume the increased mortgage, and a giant increase in property taxes?

It would seem to work counter to a free market.

GrimesCoAg95 said:

---

The market valuation is not capped, but the taxable value is for your homestead. The problem is that the taxable value can go up 10% every year. This is not sustainable because income is not going up at that rate. The cost to stay in your home goes up every year as a percentage of income.

---

And at that point, you, being a responsible, law abiding citizen , who does the right thing, and actually worry about your credit rating decide to sell. Blackrock et al swoops down on your house and makes it rental, and you either become renter, move tot he sticks in a 10 year old mobile home that has depreciated enough for you live in and still have a life.

sanangelo said:

---

Loophole in the state tax law since 1998 or so guarantees REITs and large commercial real estate owners will never pay this fair share, placing extreme pressure on residential real estate owners. We have a $4 million hotel property that had its appraised value dropped to $2.8 million after hired gun law firm sued our appraisal district under "equal and uniform."

Counties don't have the resources to fight these evil Austin attorneys and their fat cat clients.

---

not necessarily true. there are 3 methods to value property:

Market
Cost
Income


most hotels are noticed using the market approach but when then give the necessary information to use the income method

Marcus Brutus said:

---

Charpie said:

---

My friend in Williamson County's evaluation went up by 57 percent

---

That should be illegal!

---

Someone on the houston board had a parents house that went from ~550 to ~860 or so.

Equal and uniform is the easiest way to get your assessed value reduced, because it doesn't involve having to gather sales data, and you use the assessor's own data against them.

Sea Speed said:

---

Marcus Brutus said:

---

Charpie said:

---

My friend in Williamson County's evaluation went up by 57 percent

---

That should be illegal!

---

Someone on the houston board had a parents house that went from ~550 to ~860 or so.

---

Sell the house now!

Move to Dallas.

Profit!

And live a happier life.

My house in RR went up 75% from last year. They are over what I could sell it for currently.

AgGrad99 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

this is tricky though.

Why would I ever move, if I'm going to assume the increased mortgage, and a giant increase in property taxes?

It would seem to work counter to a free market.

---

It would likely cause a decrease in property values that would offset your concerns. If tax is pegged to sale price, many (like you) will choose to not buy so that they don't realize the increase. This would cause an increase in supply of homes for sale. The prices would come down and you could then buy the house you wanted and not increase your tax burden as significantly. I think that's a more fair market than the current scam.

Then make sure you vote.

I dont necessarily disagree, in the short term. But it would be very punitive long-term.

It might be 'more fair', but there would definitely be unintended consequences.

Well, the consequences are intended. This is true anytime there are taxes are involved.

Mitigating their effect on the homeowner at time of sale and for the duration of ownership should be prioritized. That's easier to do if you can choose when you buy to lock in value rather than some dope determining your basis.

Just received my appraisal, 38% increase.

TRX said:

---

HTownAg98 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

California has done this, and look what happened to them.

---

What specifically are you referring to? How did this policy cause whatever that is?

I'm genuinely curious because this sounds like a good idea. They have a lot of problems and because of that I never want to go there for a split second, and sure don't want to bring more problems here.

---

prop 13. It's been a disaster.

https://www.nber.org/digest/apr05/lock-effect-californias-proposition-13

Aston04 said:

---

TRX said:

---

HTownAg98 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

California has done this, and look what happened to them.

---

What specifically are you referring to? How did this policy cause whatever that is?

I'm genuinely curious because this sounds like a good idea. They have a lot of problems and because of that I never want to go there for a split second, and sure don't want to bring more problems here.

---

prop 13. It's been a disaster.

https://www.nber.org/digest/apr05/lock-effect-californias-proposition-13

---

How is that a disaster? For whom is it a disaster?

baron_von_awesome said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

Or switch to sales tax

---

Then rural texans will have to beg the liberal ****holes for their budget.

No thank you

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MCADTaxAccountability/?ref=share

Great group to see the BS unfold

jellycheese said:

---

Well, the consequences are intended. This is true anytime there are taxes are involved.

Mitigating their effect on the homeowner at time of sale and for the duration of ownership should be prioritized. That's easier to do if you can choose when you buy to lock in value rather than some dope determining your basis.

---

Right. I'm not talking about the unintended consequences of the tax.

I agree with you that it needs to change. It's a cause near and dear to my heart. I'm just making the point that shifting 'when' the burden is realized doesn't solve the issue. We'd need to fine tune the idea of freezing it at a certain level.

combat wombat said:

---

Thanks for the informative post.

---

Can alway pick out the renters.

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

Then it wouldn't be a 'property valuation.' It would be a perpetual sales tax.

Spotted Ag said:

---

These *******s deserve to be put under the jail. Bunch of damn thieves is all they are. How ANY person with any self respect could choose to do work for an appraisal district is beyond me. They are the lowest of the low. Slime in the ice machine. Streaks in the toilet bowl. Dirtier than a homeless dude's underwear. Seriously, they can screw the hell right off.

---

I'll never understand the irrational hatred for CADs. Do you dispute that property values have skyrocket the past three years? The CAD is simply doing their job - appraising property. It seems your anger should be directed at the property tax system itself, which is a creation of the legislature. If you don't like the system, change it. Don't cuss out the people who are jus doing their jobs.

Marcus Brutus said:

---

Aston04 said:

---

TRX said:

---

HTownAg98 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

California has done this, and look what happened to them.

---

What specifically are you referring to? How did this policy cause whatever that is?

I'm genuinely curious because this sounds like a good idea. They have a lot of problems and because of that I never want to go there for a split second, and sure don't want to bring more problems here.

---

prop 13. It's been a disaster.

https://www.nber.org/digest/apr05/lock-effect-californias-proposition-13

---

How is that a disaster? For whom is it a disaster?

---

everyone not grandfathered gets screwed on taxes in ca. Also, my parents have owned a property in CA from out of state since then, and they get screwed too since not in state.

Only caveat to this is they do unequally value similar properties due to mass appraisals, but thats what the protest system is for. I've had good luck protesting via equal and uniform protest by pulling real estate photos from recent sales from homes nicer than mine that the CAD valued less than my property.

MouthBQ98 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

This I basically agree with, but property taxes are different than income/gains taxes. They're specifically taxing it on present value, and not taxing it as a gain (or crediting a loss). Yes, it makes holding property painful and discourages investment in property versus other investment options. It also is fairly regressive as the wealthy can afford to hire expert legal and financial representation to game the system and exploit loophole at a much lower cost in proportion to their potential savings.

---

The idea is you have a more valuable thing to protect and benefit from services like police and fire department, so you pay more. Community services provide more benefit the more wealth being protected and maintained, therefore, the higher the value, the higher the tax. I believe that is the original logic behind the why property taxes are tied to property value.

Now we know that is kind of backwards and that police and firefighters spend a lot more time, energy, and budget in areas with low property values than ones with high property values.

Marcus Brutus said:

---

Aston04 said:

---

TRX said:

---

HTownAg98 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

California has done this, and look what happened to them.

---

What specifically are you referring to? How did this policy cause whatever that is?

I'm genuinely curious because this sounds like a good idea. They have a lot of problems and because of that I never want to go there for a split second, and sure don't want to bring more problems here.

---

prop 13. It's been a disaster.

https://www.nber.org/digest/apr05/lock-effect-californias-proposition-13

---

How is that a disaster? For whom is it a disaster?

---

Prop 13 has been a disaster for everyone. The basic premise is that the taxable value is established when a property is sold and it can only rise 2% per year after that. The problem is that market prices rise much faster than that. Moving to a new home of equal amenity causes a huge jump in taxes because the taxable value steps-up to the new market value.

The consequence is that people move less frequently. That causes illiquidity, which contributes to the inflation of market prices. It causes people to drive crazy long commutes rather than move across town. Or, people simply turn down career opportunities, which hurts workforce productivity. It's a cascade of economic harms.

Martin Cash said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

Then it wouldn't be a 'property valuation.' It would be a perpetual sales tax.

---

Please explain.

taxpreparer said:

---

HTownAg98 said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

California has done this, and look what happened to them.

---

I am not saying freeze taxes, just the valuation. Make the elected officials own the tax increases. As it is now, they can brag about reducing tax rates while the actual taxes we pay increases.


edit: fixed typo

---

Yes, I'm quoting myself.

There is no reason a good city council should not be able to defend raising tax rates in order to pay for neccessary services and infrastructure. As it is now they hide tax increases in increased valuations and say it is not their fault, they kept the rate the same, or even lowered it a little. I am not suggesting voters vote on tax rates. I am suggesting the elected officials be put into a position to defend those rates. When politicians can spend a million dollars more without raising "taxes" the system is not responsive to citizens. When some unelected hired gun can decide my rural property is more valuable as a shopping center, or subdivision, and triples its value accordingly, my desire to keep it pristine is worthless. Property values do not change until there is a willing buyer and seller.

My property tax is up 25.1 percent. It's been up 10% every year for 14 years. What am I funding again?

taxpreparer said:

---

Martin Cash said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

Then it wouldn't be a 'property valuation.' It would be a perpetual sales tax.

---

Please explain.

---

It is a property tax, based on the market value of your property, not the market value 35 years ago. If it never changes, it is simply a tax based on the value when you bought it, or a sales tax.

Be glad you don't live in the Austin area. Bought my house for 168k in Cedar Park in 2011, appraisal for 2022 450k.

Martin Cash said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Martin Cash said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

Then it wouldn't be a 'property valuation.' It would be a perpetual sales tax.

---

Please explain.

---

It is a property tax, based on the market value of your property, not the market value 35 years ago. If it never changes, it is simply a tax based on the value when you bought it, or a sales tax.

---

Ah, I understand, semantics.
Maybe a better definition would be a purchase tax. After all you would be perpetually taxing the purchaser not the seller.

Who/what should determine the current value of your property? Some yahoo that sort of compares it to other properties that may or may not have sold recently? Or, maybe it's value should be as low as you can go and still have a potential buyer refuse? Or, maybe as high as you are willing to pass on accepting an offer. The only true value known is the last time a buyer and seller agreed on a deal.

Crawford ISD valuations went up 47% from '21 to '22. Thank goodness for the HS 10% limitation. Homes prices have increased tremendously in the last few years, but it feels like price gouging to me.

Tom Doniphon said:

---

baron_von_awesome said:

---

taxpreparer said:

---

Property valuation should be frozen at the its value when it was purchased. Let the elected politicians change the rate as needed, instead of an unelected person (or person) decide what they think it is worth. what we have now is the equivalent of taxing unrealized gains.

---

Or switch to sales tax

---

Doesn't tend to work in rural Texas.... unless you intend to subsidize them with urban sales taxes.

---

Sales tax or a VAT will work just fine. Its a dedicated school tax collected statewide and then it is distributed to the ISD by the state. Each ISD is funded X per student. Buildings are financed at the local level based upon a sales tax that the voters MUST approve for finite length of time.