Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties have some of the highest effective property tax rates in the country. For Austin landlords, tax planning is not optional — it is a material driver of net income.
How valuations work
Appraisal districts issue notices each spring. Investment properties do not receive homestead protections, meaning valuations can rise sharply year over year without the cap that owner-occupants enjoy.
The protest process
- Review your appraised value against comparable sales and rental income.
- File a protest before the deadline printed on your notice.
- Present evidence at an informal hearing or the formal ARB.
- Consider a professional protest service — many charge only a percentage of savings.
Why it is worth doing every year
Even a modest reduction compounds. A $50,000 reduction in appraised value can save a landlord several hundred dollars annually — every year, for the life of the hold.