Is Your Tax Bill Quietly Draining Your Wallet? Here's How to Stop Overpaying for Your Own Home

Many homeowners may be unknowingly overpaying property taxes—by an average of $539 per year—due to outdated or inaccurate home assessments. Realtor.com’s free Property Tax Assessment Tool, available in the “My Home” dashboard, helps identify over-assessments by comparing your property to similar homes. If it finds a discrepancy, it provides downloadable evidence to support a tax appeal. With states like Texas and California seeing high over-assessment rates, now is the time to check your bill. Taking a few minutes to review your assessment could save you hundreds annually—and keep your hard-earned money where it belongs.

You love your home. But what if your property tax bill has been sneakily picking your pocket each year? According to Realtor.com, over 40% of U.S. homeowners may be overpaying on property taxes—with the average excess costing around $539 annually. That’s a vacation, a new appliance, or an extra mortgage payment—gone.

Here’s why: your tax bill is based on an assessed value set by the county. But assessments can be outdated or inaccurate, especially in fast-growing areas. If your home is assessed too high, you’re stuck paying more than your fair share.

The good news? Realtor.com’s free Property Tax Assessment Tool can help. Found in the “My Home” dashboard, this feature compares your assessment to similar homes nearby. If it finds a gap, it provides a downloadable evidence packet to help you challenge your bill. It’s like having a tax protest assistant that actually knows what it’s doing.

States like Texas, South Dakota, and California are home to some of the highest over-assessment rates. In fact, nearly half of homeowners in Texas might be eligible to lower their bill. So, if you haven’t appealed your property taxes recently—or ever—it’s time to check.

Claim your home on Realtor.com, review your assessment, and take control. You might save hundreds a year just by submitting the right paperwork. And if your tax bill is already fair? You can rest easy knowing you’re not tipping the tax man unnecessarily.

Don’t let outdated data drain your wallet. Use the free tools available, stay informed, and put that extra cash to better use—like boosting your equity or finally upgrading that kitchen faucet.