Need Help With Your Property Taxes? Here Are Some Tips!

Property taxes can be a heavy burden for homeowners - especially here in Texas, where we pay some of the highest rates in the country. In addition to high rates, property taxes have a way of getting complicated and unmanageable pretty quickly if they are ignored, delayed, or misunderstood. Here are some expert tips to help you ease the burden.

There are many ways to lower your tax bill

Unfortunately, you will never shake off your property tax liability. As long as you are a property owner in Texas, you will have to deal with this burden. However, there are some ways to reduce your liability to your tax authority.

• Understand your tax bill: Many property owners feel extra frustrated with their tax bill because they don’t understand how it is calculated. Once you have that understanding, you can either accept what you are being charged, contest it, or find legal ways to alter the calculation. The two important factors that make up your tax bill are the municipal property rates and the estimated value of your property. There is not much you can do about the rates, but if you understand how your property is assessed and evaluated, you could find a way to pay less.
• Contemplate improvements: Any additions and improvements to your property will automatically prompt an increased evaluation, which will lead to higher taxes. If you are planning to add onto your house or build a deck pool or shed, first find out how this will impact your property value. If you just go ahead and do the work, you should not be surprised by the increase on your next tax appraisal.
• Allow the assessor onto your property: Many homeowners make the mistake of never allowing a tax assessor onto their property. If you do this, the assessor will make an estimate of your property’s value. The estimate may well be higher than the true value, meaning you will have to pay more taxes than your property is worth. Instead, allow the assessor in and walk through the property with them, and honestly point out both high points and deficiencies. This way, you can ensure that you get an accurate assessment.
• Apply for any applicable exemptions. If you are a senior, a veteran, or are eligible for homestead exemptions, you can get a significant reduction in your tax bill. Speak to your local tax authorities and find out which ones apply to you.
• Pay your tax bill prior to the Jan 31st deadline: Once you receive that bill, the best thing to do is pay it. No matter what you feel about it, it is not going anywhere. You owe that money, and non-payment will have consequences. The longer you leave the bill unpaid, the more it will accrue in interest and penalties.
• Apply for a property tax loan: If you are struggling to pay your property taxes - particularly if interest and penalties are mounting, the best thing to do is to apply for a property tax loan. Even a payment arrangement with the municipality will not mitigate the financial impact. A tax loan is easy to apply for, and your liability to your local tax authority will be removed from your shoulders immediately. You can set up a repayment plan that suits your budget and saves you money in the long run.

American Finance & Investment Co., Inc. (AFIC) offers our clients an affordable, hassle-free way to manage their Texas property taxes. We can ensure that your account with the local government tax office is paid in full and will work out a manageable repayment plan for you. AFIC can provide you with an instant quote by completing the form on our homepage. For qualifying properties, we can help you pay off your delinquent taxes and offer you the following benefits:

• Quick and completely online process
• No money down
• No credit check
• Free 30-day rate match
• Match competitors and beat their rate by 1%
• Avoid high penalties and foreclosure

We pride ourselves on finding solutions to suit the unique needs of our clients. If you would like to discuss our property tax loans, please contact our experienced team at AFIC today.