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Property tax appeal ROI calculator

Decide whether a property tax appeal is worth filing — comparing assessed-value reduction across years saved against appeal cost.

Net savings after appeal cost

Show the work

  • Annual tax savings$600
  • Total savings over years$1,800
  • ROI260%

When to appeal — math, not vibes

Most homeowners assume a property tax appeal is a long shot. The data says otherwise: 30-50% of appeals win at least partial reductions in counties that allow comp-based appeals (most US counties).

The breakeven

annual savings = assessed reduction × tax rate
total savings = annual × years until next reassessment
ROI = (total savings − appeal cost) ÷ appeal cost

A $50k overassessment in a 1.2% county saves $600/yr × 3 years = $1,800 against ~$500 appeal cost. 260% ROI on a 10-hour project.

When NOT to appeal

  • Your home actually IS worth the assessment (check 3-month sold comps)
  • You're refinancing soon (lower assessment can spook some lenders)
  • Your county uses sales-price-as-assessment (CA Prop 13) — appeal won't help
  • You bought recently above the assessment — your purchase is the comp

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