Appeal savings estimator
Appeal Savings Estimator
Project the annual property-tax savings you could capture if your assessment is reduced through a successful appeal. Calculations run entirely in your browser.
Most successful property-tax appeals lower the assessed value by 10% to 25%. Use the form below to project annual savings on your specific situation. Calculations run entirely in your browser.
Where the Numbers Come From
This estimator runs entirely in your browser on the figures you enter, no county data is looked up automatically. For an evidence-based starting rate rather than a guess, use the county lookup to find your county's Census-reported effective tax rate (sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; see our methodology), then confirm your actual current assessment and rate with your county assessor before filing an appeal.
How This Tool Works
The estimator multiplies your current assessed value by your county's effective tax rate to derive the current annual bill, then applies the reduction percentage to project a new assessed value and corresponding new bill. Annual savings is the difference; total savings projects that figure across the years you plan to remain in the home.
Worked example, using the current national median home value and rate
Assessed value $227,791 × effective rate 0.87% = $1,993 current annual tax
A 10% assessment reduction lowers the bill to $1,794, an annual savings of $199 ($996 over five years).
These are the same Census ACS 2024 national medians shown on our homepage; use the county lookup for your own county's actual rate instead of the national figure.
Choosing a Realistic Reduction Percentage
Successful informal appeals, where you present comparable sales evidence to the assessor's office without a hearing, typically yield reductions of 5% to 15%. Formal hearings before a board of equalization tend to deliver larger reductions when supported by an independent appraisal, often 15% to 25%. Reductions exceeding 30% are rare and almost always require the help of a licensed property-tax consultant or attorney. If you have not yet gathered evidence, model 10% to be conservative; if you have at least three solid comparable sales below your assessed value, 15% is a reasonable target.
Next Steps If The Numbers Look Promising
If projected savings exceed the cost of an appraisal (typically $300-$600) or the contingency fee charged by a tax-appeal firm (typically 25%-50% of first-year savings), it is usually worth pursuing the appeal. Read our step-by-step appeal guide for the procedure in your state, and use our property tax estimator to verify the rate assumptions before filing.
Disclaimer
This calculator is informational and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Actual outcomes depend on local assessment practice, evidence quality, and statutory deadlines. Consult a licensed professional for advice specific to your property.
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This estimator runs entirely in your browser on the figures you enter; the underlying county effective-tax-rates it references come from the Census ACS lookup above. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.