Rob Hartley
Founder, AppealDesk · February 16, 2026
How to Appeal Property Taxes as a Senior
Updated February 2026 · 9 min read
Seniors have two powerful tools: exemptions and appeals. Most should use both. Exemptions (homestead, senior freeze, income-based) reduce your taxable value automatically. An appeal corrects an overassessment with comparable sales evidence. Combined, they can save $1,000-5,000+ per year. The appeal is free to file; professional evidence starts at $49.
Step 1: Claim Every Exemption You Qualify For
Before filing an appeal, make sure you’re receiving all available exemptions. Many seniors miss exemptions worth $500-3,000+/year because they didn’t know to apply.
| Exemption | How It Works | Typical Savings | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior homestead | Extra reduction on top of standard homestead | $300-2,000/yr | TX, FL, IL, GA |
| Senior freeze | Locks assessed value or tax amount | Prevents increases | TX, IL, NJ, CO |
| Circuit breaker | Caps taxes as % of income | $500-3,000+/yr | MN, VT, ME, WI |
| Tax deferral | Postpones payment until sale | Full deferral | CA, OR, WA, CO, FL |
Exemptions are never automatic — you must apply with your county assessor. The AARP estimates only about 8% of eligible seniors actually claim property tax relief they’re entitled to. See our senior property tax exemptions guide for state-by-state details.
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Step 2: Appeal If Your Assessment Is Too High
Exemptions don’t fix an inflated assessment. If your county says $400,000 but comparable sales show $340,000, you’re overpaying on the $60,000 difference even with exemptions. The IRS notes that veterans may also qualify for additional federal tax benefits beyond state-level exemptions.
Senior Advantages in the Appeal Process
- Mail-in and phone hearings. Many counties offer alternatives to in-person appearances.
- Priority scheduling. Some counties schedule seniors earlier, especially with health limitations.
- Long ownership = strong evidence. Decades of knowledge about condition, neighborhood, and maintenance history.
- Condition arguments. Aging roof, older HVAC, original windows — deferred maintenance reduces value below what the county assumes.
How to File: Step by Step
- Check your assessment on your county’s website or assessment notice. Use AppealDesk’s free tool for estimated overassessment.
- Check your deadline. See our deadline calendar.
- Get evidence. 3-5 comparable sales. AppealDesk provides a complete packet for $49 flat.
- File. Many counties accept online submissions. AppealDesk includes county-specific instructions.
- Hearing. If required, present comps calmly. Ask about phone/written alternatives.
Combined Savings Example
Scenario: 68-year-old in Texas. Assessed at $380,000. Comps show $320,000. Rate: 2.2%.
No exemptions or appeal: $380,000 × 2.2% = $8,360/yr
Over-65 exemption only: ($380K − $110K exemptions) × 2.2% ≈ $5,940/yr (save $2,420)
Exemption + appeal: ($320K − $110K) × 2.2% = $4,620/yr (save $3,740)
Doing both saves $3,740/year — every year
Common Concerns
“Will it raise my taxes?” In most states, no. See our detailed breakdown.
“I can’t go to a hearing.” Many counties offer phone, video, or written alternatives. You can also authorize someone to represent you.
“It seems complicated.” With AppealDesk, you enter your address, review evidence, and follow filing instructions. Takes 10-15 minutes.
“Will they retaliate?” No. Appealing is a legal right. Assessors handle thousands of appeals and won’t single you out.
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