Lubbock County Property Tax Trends documents that Lubbock County Appraisal District has experienced robust growth in market value. The number of tax parcels has been flat at about 140,000. These robust increases in assessed values have resulted in Lubbock County residents to protest at well more frequently; from about 5% appeals in 2014 to over 10% in 2018. The statewide average of 10%. This site has details on number of tax protests, appraisal review board members, budget, number of appraiser total market value, total taxes levied, value by type of property, number of judicial appeals, number of appraisal district staff, appraisal district budget and much more.
The market value of Lubbock County taxable property rose from $17 billion in 2014 to $23 billion in 2018. This is a 35.3% increase over 5 years; 7.1% per year. This increase in property taxes is much higher than the increase in inflation and wages. These increases are part of the impetus for Senate Bill 2, which caps taxes for school at 2.5% and cities / counties at 3.5% per year for existing property, plus the value of new construction.
Property tax savings from protest hearings at Lubbock County Appraisal District (LCAD) have risen from $1 million in 2015 to $5 million in 2018. Commercial accounts were reduced $2 million in 2018 versus residential accounts for $2 million. There are more residential accounts protested but the commercial accounts receive a equal portion of appeal reductions. Their value is also much higher. The ratio of tax savings at the administrative hearings is 50% single family and 50% commercial. This ratio is quite high for single-family.
The number of tax protests in Lubbock Appraisal District has more than doubled from 2014 to 2018; from 7,350 in 2014 to 15,400 in 2018, a 110% increase. However, the number of protests, as a % of total accounts, is only average at 10%, similar to the state average of 10%. However, taxpayers should be targeting appealing 30 to 50% of accounts annually to avoid excessive taxation. Spread the word to your friends and coworkers to appeal their property taxes. The property tax appeal is routine obligation of the owner, like changing the oil in a car, or having the HVAC checked annually. If the tax assessment is not watched routinely, it will become a problem.
This increase is a good start and we want to keep the momentum growing. Lubbock County Appraisal District 2018 property tax protests include 9,390 residential and 6,000 commercial accounts. Residential accounts for 60% of the appeals but for 50% of the savings ($2 million out of $4 million in 2018). Local residents are enourages to appeal more accounts.
Judicial appeals in Lubbock County have ranged from 12 to 50 during 2014 to 2018. Property tax savings in Lubbock County due to judicial appeals have been modest given the size of the county. Most appeals are resolved without trial. Judicial appeal tax savings ranged from $100,000 to $6,200,000 during 2014 to 2018.
The Lubbock County Appraisal District budget rose from $3.64 million in 2012 to $4.19 million in 2018, a 15% increase over 7 years.
This average 2,2% annual increase in LCAD budget is below than the average rate of increase in appraisal district budgets.
The Lubbock County Appraisal Review Board has had 3 to 5 members during 2012 to 2018.
The number of appraisers has increased from 7 in 2014 to 14 in 2018.
2020 property tax deadline is May 15th; deadlines to protest are not extended due to Covid-19.
Visit Lubbock County Property Tax Trends to learn more.
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