Yes, you should protest your property taxes every year in San Antonio. Property values change annually, new comparable sales become available, and failing to protest means you miss out on potential savings. Protesting every year can save you thousands of dollars over time. Many homeowners who protest once and get a reduction see their assessed value creep back up in subsequent years, making annual protests necessary.
Why Protest Every Year
The Bexar County Appraisal District reassesses property values each year. Even if you successfully reduced your value last year, BCAD may increase it again this year if market conditions changed or if your property was flagged for review. New comparable sales from the past year may support an even lower value. Additionally, tax rates can change, so a higher assessed value combined with a higher rate means a much larger tax bill. Annual protests keep your assessed value in check and ensure you are not overpaying.
Cumulative Savings Over Time
The savings from protesting compound over the years. If you save $500 this year and your assessed value stays suppressed, you save another $500 next year, and so on. Over 10 years, that single protest could save you $5,000 or more. If you protest annually and get small reductions each year, the cumulative savings can be substantial. Protesting is one of the highest-return activities a homeowner can do with an hour or two of effort each year.
When It May Not Be Worth It
The only time protesting may not be worth it is if your home's assessed value is already well below market value, or if your homestead exemption and other caps already limit your annual increase to 10 percent or less. However, even with the 10 percent cap, your assessed value can still rise significantly over time. A quick check of your Notice of Appraised Value each spring takes only a few minutes and helps you decide whether to protest.