AppealDesk vs Property Tax Attorney: Which Is Right for You?
Last updated: February 13, 2026
Quick Verdict
AppealDesk is the better choice for standard residential property tax appeals where the issue is overvaluation. A property tax attorney is better for complex cases involving commercial property, legal challenges to assessment methodology, or disputes heading to court.
Best for budget-conscious DIY
AppealDesk — Residential homeowners with straightforward overvaluation appeals
Best for complex cases
Property Tax Attorney — Commercial property owners or homeowners with complex legal issues
Rob Hartley·Updated February 13, 2026Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AppealDesk | Property Tax Attorney |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $49 flat fee | $200-500/hr or 30-50% of savings |
| Pricing model | Flat fee — pay once | Hourly or contingency |
| Coverage | All 50 states, 3,100+ counties | Limited to attorney's licensed state(s) |
| Service type | DIY with professional evidence packet | Full legal representation |
| What you receive | Evidence packet, filing guide, cover letter | Legal representation and advocacy |
| Turnaround | Instant (minutes) | Weeks to months |
| Best for | Standard residential overvaluation | Complex legal disputes |
| Assessment ratio analysis | Included | Part of legal analysis |
| Who does the filing | You (with instructions) | Attorney files and argues for you |
| Can go to court | No — evidence for administrative appeals only | Yes — can litigate in court |
Cost Comparison
The cost difference is dramatic. AppealDesk charges $49 for a complete evidence packet. Property tax attorneys typically charge $200-500 per hour or 30-50% of your first year's savings on contingency. For a straightforward residential appeal that takes an attorney 3-5 hours, you're looking at $600-2,500 in hourly fees. On contingency with a $2,000 annual reduction, the fee is $600-1,000. In either case, you're paying 12x to 50x what AppealDesk charges. The critical question is whether your case actually requires legal expertise. Most residential appeals don't — they're about presenting comparable sales data, not arguing law.
When You Need a Property Tax Attorney
Hire an attorney if your case involves: commercial or industrial property where valuation methods are complex (income approach, cost approach); a challenge to the assessment methodology itself rather than just the valuation number; multi-year corrections where you're seeking retroactive adjustments; properties with unique characteristics (churches, farms, historic buildings) that standard comparables don't address; or jurisdictions where the appeal process is formal and quasi-judicial. In these situations, legal expertise isn't a luxury — it's necessary.
When You Don't Need an Attorney
Most residential property tax appeals are straightforward: your home is assessed higher than comparable sales suggest. The appeal process in most counties is informal — you present data, the assessor reviews it, and they adjust (or don't). You don't need a law degree to say "here are five houses similar to mine that sold for less than my assessed value." The evidence packet from AppealDesk includes comparable sales analysis, assessment ratio calculations, and a professional cover letter — exactly what county appeal boards expect to see. The filing guide provides step-by-step instructions specific to your county.
What Each Option Provides
An attorney provides legal representation: they can file motions, argue legal precedent, represent you at formal hearings, and pursue remedies in court if administrative appeals fail. They bring knowledge of property tax law, administrative procedure, and court precedent. AppealDesk provides evidence: comparable sales analysis, assessment ratio verification, price-per-square-foot calculations, and county-specific filing instructions. The evidence is what wins most residential appeals. The legal expertise is what wins complex cases that go beyond simple overvaluation.
The DIY-with-Evidence Middle Ground
AppealDesk occupies the middle ground between fully DIY and hiring an attorney. You get professional-quality evidence without the professional fees. You file yourself, but with a guide that tells you exactly how. For the 95%+ of residential appeals that are resolved at the informal or first-level hearing stage, this middle ground delivers the same outcome as hiring an attorney at a fraction of the cost. The evidence — not the advocate — is what the hearing board evaluates.
Who Should Hire a Property Tax Attorney Instead
Hire a property tax attorney if your case involves commercial or industrial property where the income approach to valuation applies. Hire one if you need to challenge the assessment methodology — for example, arguing that your county's mass appraisal model is systematically flawed. Hire one for multi-year corrections involving retroactive adjustments. And hire one if your county's appeal process is formal enough that legal representation significantly improves outcomes. For a standard residential home where you believe the assessed value exceeds market value, the evidence packet approach is sufficient and saves you hundreds to thousands of dollars.
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Property Tax Attorney — Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Can provide full legal representation including courtroom litigation if needed
- +Essential for complex cases: commercial property, assessment methodology challenges, multi-year corrections
- +Licensed legal professionals who understand administrative law and property tax statutes
- +Can pursue remedies beyond the informal appeal level (PTAB, circuit court, etc.)
Weaknesses
- –$200-500/hr or 30-50% contingency makes legal representation the most expensive option
- –Most residential property tax appeals don't require legal expertise — you're presenting comparable sales data
- –Many attorneys lack specialized property tax knowledge and treat it as a side practice
- –Timeline is weeks to months — much slower than generating your own evidence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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