This week, the Tarrant Appraisal District mailed annual property value notices to Tarrant County homeowners and we know it caused sticker shock for many of you. Home prices have gone way up in recent years and if you’re not looking to buy or sell a home, you may not have realized just how high. It’s important to know that the Taxable Value is the number used to calculate your tax bill, NOT the Market Value. Look instead at the Taxable Value. Here’s a quick explanation of what the different terms on your property value notice mean.
- Market Value: The amount the Tarrant Appraisal District believes your home would currently sell for.
- Appraised Value: The value of your home after state-mandated limitations on value increases for residential homesteads is factored in. The appraised value of a homestead may increase no more than 10% per year.
- Exemptions: Exemptions are offered by the city and other taxing entities to lower your homestead’s appraised value and the amount you are taxed. (If you moved to a new home or turned 65 in the past year, be sure to submit application to the Tarrant Appraisal District for your homestead and/or senior exemptions. You will only need to apply once. After your exemptions are in place, if you remain in the same home, they will carry forward each year.)
- Taxable Value: The Taxable Value is the Appraised Value minus your Exemptions. The tax rate is applied to this value to determine your tax bill.
Annual tax rates will be adopted by cities, counties, school districts and other taxing entities this summer. Public hearings for the City’s budget and tax rate will be held in August. You can sign up for City Council Meeting notifications online at www.nrhtx.com/notify. Annual property tax bills are mailed each October.
It’s important to know that in 2019, state legislators enacted Senate Bill 2, which requires cities and counties to get voter approval if they want to raise the annual property tax revenue they collect from existing properties by more than 3.5%.
Currently, 28.3% of homes in North Richland Hills benefit from the senior or disabled exemption and tax freeze. The freeze sets a cap, or ceiling, on the amount of property taxes paid annually to the city, school district, county and college district. The ceiling is set in the year that you turn 65. In future years, the property taxes on your home may go below, but not above, the ceiling amount. The Tarrant County Hospital District does not offer a tax freeze, therefore that portion of a senior’s tax bill may still increase.
Protesting your Appraisal
Residents who feel their property appraisal is too high may appeal or protest the value with the Tarrant Appraisal Review Board. The protest deadline for residential properties is May 16, 2022. For more information see the Notice of Protest on the Tarrant Appraisal District's website.
If you have questions, please contact the Tarrant Appraisal District at 817-284-0024.
Helpful Links
Tarrant Appraisal District
Homestead Exemption
Senior Exemption / Freeze
Property Tax Payment History
City property Tax Rate & FAQs
Annual City Budget