Appraisal notices on the way: sound off!
Brace yourselves. Last year it was the third week in April. That’s when notices arrived from the Travis County Appraisal District containing the most recent appraised values of real property for tax purposes. That time is rolling around again. If your homestead is reappraised, and if the new value is significantly higher (and all indicators seem to point in that direction), and if you plan to protest the valuation before the appraisal board, the local daily wants to hear from you. If your blood pressure goes up when you open that envelope and you’d like the world to know what’s on your mind, there’s a reporter at the Statesman who’d be very much interested in talking to you. Do you plan to formally protest? How does the reappraisal affect you? Will it result in financial hardship? Are you considering moving out of your neighborhood? Are you paying more for taxes annually than for your mortgage? Go ahead; let it all out. You’ll feel much, much better. Here’s who wants to know: Kate Miller Morton, Real Estate Reporter, Austin American-Statesman, (512) 445-3641.
The appraisal notice marks my annual conversion into a misanthropic libertarian. But the shock usually dissipates after a couple weeks and I can return to being my regular old misanthropic centrist liberalism.
They’re supposedly arriving this week. I haven’t seen mine yet. The Statesman today warns of 16% increases for some.
WTF! I received my appraisal today. It went from a value of 60,200 to 168,000 in one year. That is an empty lot that was flooded in 1991 and they wont let me build on it. A taxpayer revolt is in order! I am still in shock and it wont be over til foreclosure I presume.