Cameron County PropertyTax Trends documents that Cameron County Appraisal District has experienced slow growth in market value. The number of tax parcels has been flat at about 210,000. These low increases in assessed values have resulted in Cameron County residents to protest at well below the statewide average. Only about 6 to 7% of accounts are protested in Cameron County, versus about 10% statewide. 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 Cameron County taxable property rose from $19 billion in 2014 to $23 billion in 2018. This is a 15.8% increase over 5 years; 3.2% per year. This increase in property taxes is similar to 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 Cameron County Appraisal District (CCAD) have ranged from $1 million to $6 million during 2012 to 2018. Commercial accounts were reduced $2.3 million in 2018 versus residential accounts for $1.3 million. There are more residential accounts protested but the commercial accounts receive a larger portion of appeal reductions. Their value is also much higher. The ratio of tax savings at the administrative hearings is 31% single family and 69% commercial. This ratio is favorable for single-family.
The number of tax protests in Cameron Appraisal District has risen gradually from 2014 to 2018; from 9,790 in 2014 to 11,780 in 2018, a 20% increase. However, the number of protests, as a % of total accounts, is well below average at 5%, only half 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. Cameron County Appraisal District 2018 property tax protests include 5,480 residential and 6,300 commercial accounts. Residential accounts for49% of the appeals but for 32% of the savings ($1.3 million out of $4 million in 2018). Cameron county residents are encouraged to appeal more accounts, either on their own or with the help of a property tax consultant like O’Connor.
Judicial appeals in Cameron County have ranged from 17 to 41 during 2014 to 2018. Property tax savings in Cameron County due to judicial appeals have been modest given the size of the county. Most appeals are resolved without trial. Judicial appeal tax savings were less than $100,000 annually from 2014to 2018.
The Cameron County Appraisal District budget rose from $3.58 million in 2012 to $4.83 million in 2018, a 34.9% increase over 7 years. This average 7.0% annual increase in CCAD budget is above than the average rate of increase in appraisal district budgets.
The Cameron County Appraisal Review Board has had 7 to 10 members during 2012 to 2018.
The number of appraisers has increased from 8 in 2014 to 35 in 2018; more than a four-fold increse.
2020 property tax deadline is May 15th; deadlines to protest are not extended due to Covid-19.
Visit Cameron County PropertyTax Trends to learn more.
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