Texas homeowners struggling under the growing burden of rising housing costs are supportive of the new package of property tax cuts signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on Monday. However, some are worried that appraisers may find “loopholes” around them to keep bills high.
“The governor is trying to help, but local counties will just find loopholes in the laws and pull the money from our pockets,” Jeff, a Parker County Texas homeowner, told Newsweek, revealing a deep frustration with Texas’ County Appraisal Districts (CAD) which seems to be shared by several other readers.
What’s Behind Texas Homeowners’ Frustration?
Property tax bills have surged over the past five years in Texas due to skyrocketing home values exacerbating locals’ affordability struggles. Between 2019 and 2023 alone—years marked by the pandemic homebuying frenzy—property taxes in the Lone Star State jumped by 26 percent, according to Cotality.
As of 2025, Texas homeowners pay the seventh-highest property taxes in the country, according to SmartAsset, at an effective rate of 1.63 percent, significantly higher than the national average of 0.90 percent.
On average, a Texas homeowner pays $3,872 a year in property taxes, which are levied by local governments and used to fund public services, including schools, roads, police, and firefighting.
The rise in property taxes, which has occurred nationwide, has hit senior homeowners the hardest, as they often rely on a fixed income and are less well-equipped to shoulder a suddenly heavier financial burden.
What Do the New Laws Promise Homeowners?
The new package of property tax cuts, which includes two key bills raising the homestead exemption in the state, is Abbott’s latest attempt to offer homeowners relief after signing into law what was the largest property tax cut in the state’s history in 2023.
One bill contained in the package, signed by the governor on Monday, SB 4, would raise the existing homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 for all homeowners. Another, SB 23, would raise it to $200,000 for those with disabilities or those aged 65 and above.
The two bills include constitutional amendments that would need to be approved by voters in November to be enshrined into Texas state law.
Why Do Homeowners Remain Skeptical About Relief?
Several readers wrote to Newsweek, expressing enthusiasm for the new property tax cuts, but also voicing concerns that they might not result in a significant reduction in their bills.
“No homeowner over 70 should pay property taxes. And 65 to 70 only half. Our senior years are fraught with enough worries, medical, food, insurance etc without worrying about losing their home,” one Austin-based homeowner said.
“I’ve had to sell all of my investment holdings to afford property tax for my remaining years. But it seems that the CAD just raises our appraised values to counteract Abbott’s help.”
Jeff said that his home has appreciated in market value by 73 percent since 2020, a number that he can hardly believe is accurate. “Local governments blame [price] growth, but in all reality, it’s poor management by our local government,” he said.
“I personally have now protested my taxed appraised market value three times now, each time getting minimal relief. The fact that they are willing to adjust your market value tells you they are playing the numbers to bring in more money,” he said.
John, another Texas homeowner, said that, on average, his property evaluations have increased from $270,000 to $563,000 over the last eight years.
“My annual property tax leapt from $4,300 annually, to just north of $7,000,” he said.
“This past year, as well as this year, upcoming, will be in the neighborhood of $6,200, largely due to the efforts of the past two legislative periods,” he added.
The news of the new property tax cuts signed by Abbott was “music to my ears,” John said.
“You’ve always heard that mantra, ‘I don’t want to rent my home after it’s paid for from my school district,’” Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said after the two bills passed the state legislature. “Well, seniors, to the average senior out there, you’re never going to have to do that again.”
John said that Patrick’s comment about paying rent to the school district “is no quip.”
“My breakdown, most recently, is at $15,00 city, $1,250 county, and $3,500 school district distribution,” he said.
“While it’s true that ‘it takes a village,’ my kids are adults in the workforce themselves. While paying much higher property taxes to schools, I was still on the hook for community pencils, paper, notebooks, and Kleenex, for distribution to children by the teachers,” he said.
“Along with anything teachers did to create a more engaged environment in their classrooms, that was out of their pockets.”
While John appreciates how municipal governments spend the money he pays in property taxes, he feels that there is insufficient transparency regarding the way school districts allocate their funding.
“Long story short, I will support this legislation to the extent of posting pro-bill signage in my yard, and on my vehicle, if necessary…but I do think it will come to that,” he said.
“People are sick to death of the Central Appraisal Districts and their chokehold on property owners.”
Are you a Texas homeowner? I’d like to hear from you about your experience with property appraisals and rising property tax bills. Email me at [email protected].
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