No fun being number 1

Texas ranks 14th in the amount residents pay in property taxes. Our state is also first in how much we pay in property taxes. How can that be? It doesn’t seem possible, but both statements are true.

There are 13 states where the median property-tax bill is higher than the $2,232 figure in Texas. However, if you look at the median amount of property tax paid as a percentage of the home value, we unfortunately land at the top of the heap. All this according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization that researches various tax topics.

Those who know a lot about state taxes will point out that Texas relies more on property taxes than many other states because we have no state income tax. Interesting, then, that the other six states without state income taxes don’t crack the top 10 in property tax paid as a percentage of home value.


How can that be? I wish I knew. I also wish I had the power to move us down that list a considerable bit.

You probably know about the option to protest your appraisal each year. That can be a successful way to keep your taxes in check, though the argument that your taxes just keep going up stands little chance of success.

Collectively, Texas REALTORS® have been working for years to make our state’s property-tax system more equitable and less burdensome to property owners. In fact, there are several proposed constitutional amendments that will help, if approved by voters November 3. Make sure you get to the polls this election. With your help, and with continued hard work by Texas REALTORS® and property owners, maybe one day we’ll find some other state atop that undesirable list.


By MARTY KRAMER, Consumer columnist