TEXAS — In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the largest property tax cut in Texas history. That $18 billion property tax cut package pales in comparison to what some Texas lawmakers hope to achieve this legislative session.

Lawmakers have proposed a nearly $51 billion property tax cut this year. At the same time, Texas property owners are now receiving a notice of appraised value, which lets them know how much their property has increased or decreased in value for tax purposes. North Texas homeowners Frank and Jeanie Akridge received their letter for their Forney home, which they moved into last February.

After seeing what their property was appraised at this year, the Akridge’s said they planned on protesting the market value. Frank Akridge said even though they get an additional homestead exemption for being over 65 years old, he says his notice showed a significant increase in their home’s value. “If it was close, I wouldn’t protest it, but when you got a multiple $10,000, I’m gonna protest it.

I just want to get on the books,” he said. The couple lives in Kaufman County, an area that ranked second in the nation for its fast growth from 2023 to 2024. Nearly 200,000 people call this county home.

“We have just shy of 100,000 real property parcels. Now that’s commercial vacant land, single-family dwellings all of it,” said Coy Johnson, the deputy chief at the Kaufman Central Appraisal District. “Ballpark 20% is what we see those protested, and that’s been a pretty consistent ballpark for us.” Johnson says out of the more than 19,000 protests they had last year, 61% of property owners saw a reduction in value after their hearing.

“Most people want to protest because it changed. The accuracy of the number is not their driver, it is that it changed,” Johnson said. “So, to say that everyone should file a protest, I would disagree with.

If you feel like the number is inaccurate and not realistic for the value of your home, absolutely you should file a protest or at least come down and let us look at it.” Cutting property taxes is what Texas lawmakers are trying to achieve in this legislative session. The Texas House is considering a $51 billion property tax cut package. Meanwhile, the state Senate passed Senate Bill 23 earlier in the session, which would increase the homestead exemption for those aged 65 and over, like the Akridge couple.

However, whether lawmakers can reach an agreement before the 89th Legislature’s regular session ends on June 2 remains to be seen.