How Much Can You Save by Appealing Your Property Taxes?
By Danielle Cui · April 16, 2026
Before spending a weekend on a property tax appeal, it's fair to ask: what's the payoff? Here's the math, with realistic numbers.
The simple formula
Your tax is roughly assessed value × your tax rate. Effective rates in our markets land around 1.2%, so:
Every $100,000 you knock off your assessed value ≈ $1,200/year in tax savings.
Reduce a $1.2M assessment to $1.0M and that's about $2,400/year. Reduce by $300,000 and it's roughly $3,600/year.
It compounds
A reduction isn't a one-time refund — it lowers the base your future bills grow from. In California, Prop 13 then caps increases at 2% a year off that lower number; in Washington, you've set a documented baseline to argue from next year. Over several years, a single successful appeal often saves multiples of the first-year number.
What it costs you
- Filing fee: small (often around $30–$60, by county) or free.
- Your time: a few hours to gather and organize comps — or seconds with CompFinder.
- A consultant (optional): typically takes ~35% of your savings, which is why most residential owners do it themselves — the savings are real but not large enough to justify a pro's cut. (DIY vs. an appraisal.)
The downside
For a market-decline appeal, the worst common outcome is simply that your assessment stays the same — you're not penalized for asking. Given the modest cost and the compounding upside, the expected value is strongly in your favor. Start with the step-by-step guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a property tax appeal save?
Roughly $1,200 per year for every $100,000 you reduce your assessed value, at a ~1.2% effective rate. The exact amount depends on your local tax rate and the size of the reduction.
Do property tax appeal savings carry into future years?
Yes. A reduction lowers the base your future bills grow from, so a single successful appeal typically saves money for several years, not just one.
Is it worth hiring someone to appeal my property taxes?
For most homeowners, no — consultants usually take around 35% of the savings, which rarely justifies their cut on a residential case you can handle yourself with good comps.