Property Tax Reduction Options for Abilene Homeowners
While there has been a sudden influx of new residents in the past few decades, Austin is also a historic city that has possessed a unique culture that has shaped Texas. This means there is stress for both those trying to buy homes for the first time and longtime residents who are trying to deal with rising costs to stay in the homes they have owned for decades. The stress on both ends of the spectrum has made Austin one of the primary crucibles for property tax reduction in Texas, and residents have been some of the most aggressive in the state when it comes to practicing those rights.

Exemptions:
From the humble homestead exemption to specialized ones that benefit disabled persons or those over 65, exemptions are a great first step in reducing property values. The homestead exemption has been overhauled in recent years and now provides a value reduction of $140,000 for school district taxes, along with a cap, and certain reductions for county taxes as well. This can be enhanced with other exemptions, such as the one for people over 65, which can result in a total school tax value reduction of $200,000.

Property Tax Appeals:
These appeals directly challenge the values set by Taylor CAD, and can also fix many outstanding problems that would otherwise cost taxpayers money. Protesting does not lower taxes or tax rates directly, rather it lowers property values, which serve as the foundation for tax bills.
Property Tax Appeals Help Homeowners
Once notices of appraisal are sent out in March or April, the race to get appeals filed is on. The deadline for protests is typically May 15, though this can change due to when a notice is mailed. Taxpayers have until May 15 or 30 days after the notice was mailed, whichever is later. Appeals can be used to challenge on the basis of unequal appraisal, overappraisal, or to correct factual errors. Unequal appraisal is when a property is appraised more than its neighbors, as long as those properties share similar characteristics. Overassessment is when a home is assessed for more than what it would sell for on the open market. Both require evidence to prove, but can lead to solid reductions in taxes.
Deadline for filing any exemptions: April 30
Final day to submit an appeal against TCAD: May 15
Tax Reduction for Businesses
Businesses are the lifeblood of any community, so it is important for everyone that they are shielded from unnecessary taxation. Texas may not have an income tax, but property taxes must do much of the heavy lifting, making them one of the largest expenses that a business has to deal with every year. There are several options available, however, and just like homeowners, businesses can save a bundle on taxes by using these means to their advantage.
Commercial Property Tax Appeals:
Businesses can appeal just like homeowners, and often do so annually. Because property values and tax rates are constantly changing, it is a good business practice to always appeal taxes annually. Commercial real estate generally sees larger savings than homeowners do, and Taylor County businesses saved over six times more in taxes in 2024 than homeowners did.
Business Personal Property Renditions and Exemptions:
This $125,000 exemption can be used to lower a business’ taxable value by exempting tangible property from the tax rolls. This means that items such as machinery, furniture, fixtures, inventory, computers, vehicles, and more can be used, while things like contracts or software cannot. To qualify, a business must file a BPP rendition by April 15.

Cost Segregation:
Used to lower federal income taxes instead of state property taxes, cost segregation is one of the secret weapons that many businesses deploy to protect their bottom line. Once scheduled for sunsetting, this IRS-backed technique is now back in full effect, including 100% bonus depreciation. By utilizing accelerated depreciation, a company can use its tangible assets to reduce or completely eliminate its federal income burden.
O’Connor are Experts at Property Tax Reduction
For over 50 years, we at O’Connor have been helping Texans get fair tax reductions. Based in Houston, we know exactly how to protest to the appraisal district, appraisal review board (ARB), and more. As one of the largest property tax consulting firmss in the nation, we have national resources that can be brought in to help our clients as well. We have a branch office in Abilene, which gives us the ability to use local expertise as well. By leveraging local, statewide, and national resources, we provide our clients assistance that no other firm can match.
Unlike other large firms, we offer our clients a personal touch. When you sign up with us, you are first given a client success consultant. This agent acts as your point of contact and will be your guide and advocate through the whole process. This means you always have the same person to turn to, one who is accountable and knows your case well. We can also send out a concierge visit to some clients, which lets us see your property firsthand, allowing us to find any issues or evidence that will be vital to your appeal. There is no cost to join, and you will only be charged a portion of your savings if we can lower your taxes.
