Property taxes too high? Here's how to appeal them and lower your tax bill

Some homeowners are getting an unwelcome surprise in their mailboxes: New property assessments from their local tax offices that put a far higher value on their homes than prior to the pandemic. In some cases, that means an increase in their property taxes at a time when other costs, like food and fuel, are also surging.

There is some good news for homeowners, however. You can appeal your property assessment, and success means your tax bill could be lowered by hundreds to thousands of dollars. 

The U.S. housing market surged during the pandemic, boosting the value of the average home to $344,000 — 37% higher than in February 2020. Counties and cities typically reassess properties every year or two, although sometimes there's a gap of several years — that means homeowners are now seeing the impact of the property boom in their tax bills.