How to Lower Your Property Taxes

Do you feel like you're paying more than your fair share of property taxes? Well, you're not alone. Many homeowners believe their homes are over-assessed, especially after the housing crisis pummeled home values by 30 percent or so from their peaks.

And guess what? A high percentage of homes really are over-assessed -- anywhere from 30 percent to 60 percent, including commercial property, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Yet few homeowners do anything about it. Nationally, only 2 to 3 percent of homeowners ever attempt an appeal.

That's too bad, because the process is actually rather simple. And the odds are good, too: about 20 to 40 percent of appeals are successful, says NTU spokesperson Pete Sepp.

So what should you do if you want to appeal your property tax assessment? Read on.