What is a property tax appeal?

A property tax appeal (also called a protest in Texas, or a VAB petition in Florida) is a formal process where you challenge your county appraiser's assessed value of your home. You file with the county Appraisal Review Board (Texas) or Value Adjustment Board (Florida), present comparable-sales evidence that your home is overvalued, and the board issues a ruling.

When is the Florida property tax appeal deadline?

Florida property owners have 25 days from the date the TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice is mailed to file a VAB petition (Form DR-486). TRIM notices typically mail mid-August, putting the petition deadline in early-to-mid September. The deadline varies by county and is printed on the TRIM notice itself.

When is the Texas property tax appeal deadline?

In Texas, the deadline to file a property tax protest is May 15 each year (or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed, whichever is later). The 2026 deadline has passed; the next protest window is April-May 2027.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes?

Homeowners who appeal save an average of $774 per year in Texas and several hundred to several thousand dollars per year in Florida (Save Our Homes locks in the savings for 10+ years). Success rates range from 80-91% when you bring 3-5 comparable sales as evidence.

What's the difference between AppealMyTax and Ownwell?

AppealMyTax charges a flat $49 for a complete personalized appeal packet you file yourself, or $199-$249 for our done-for-you filing service. Ownwell charges a 25-35% contingency on whatever you save — meaning a $2,000 reduction costs you $500-$700 every year forever. We keep 100% of your savings.

What percent of homes in ZIP 32778 are overassessed?

27.8% of homes in Tavares ZIP 32778 (2,899 of 10,442 parcels) are assessed more than 10% above the typical per-square-foot value for the neighborhood, based on the FL DOR 2025 Final NAL roll.

How do I appeal my property taxes in Tavares ZIP 32778?

File Form DR-486 with the Lake County Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of your TRIM notice (typically mid-August). The $15 filing fee is paid to the Clerk of Court. Strong petitions include 3-5 comparable sales from your immediate area.

Lake County · Tavares

ZIP 32778 property tax overassessment report

27.8% of homes in Tavares ZIP 32778 (2,899 of 10,442 parcels) are assessed more than 10% above what comparable-size homes in the same ZIP typically pay per square foot. Combined annual overpayment: $2,574,035.

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★ First 100 FL packets at $49 (62 left, then $79 starting June 1) · 30-day refund · Ownwell takes 25-35%

10,442

Homes in ZIP

2,899

Flagged as overassessed

27.8%

$103,245

Avg overage / home

$272,145

Typical value

~$158/sqft

Your Lake County deadline

TRIM mailing: Aug 17, 2026 · VAB petition due: Sept 11, 2026

Lake filing guide →

Top 25 most overassessed homes in 32778

Addresses anonymized. Pulled directly from the FL DOR 2025 Final NAL roll. Each home pays significantly more than what a comparable-size home in this ZIP typically pays.

Address	Sq ft	Year	Just value	Expected	Overage	% over	$/yr
1XXX E CAROLINE CT	3,708	1979	$1,849,283	$585,864	$1,263,419	215.7%	$10,865
1XXXX LANE PARK RD	1,292	1994	$1,435,486	$204,136	$1,231,350	603.2%	$10,590
3XXX LANE PARK RD	4,418	2021	$1,838,775	$698,044	$1,140,731	163.4%	$9,810
1XXXX BLUE HERON CIR	3,218	2018	$1,645,057	$508,444	$1,136,613	223.5%	$9,775
8 SIERRA DR	2,791	1986	$1,542,701	$440,978	$1,101,723	249.8%	$9,475
3XX DORA AVE	8,412	1985	$2,313,148	$1,329,096	$984,052	74%	$8,463
1XXXX DEER ISLAND RD	4,498	2007	$1,686,048	$710,684	$975,364	137.2%	$8,388
1XXXX BLUE HERON CIR	4,000	2024	$1,582,178	$632,000	$950,178	150.3%	$8,172
1XXXX DEER ISLAND RD	4,779	2024	$1,677,357	$755,082	$922,275	122.1%	$7,932
1XXXX LIVE OAK DR	5,916	2023	$1,852,969	$934,728	$918,241	98.2%	$7,897
8XX MANSFIELD RD	1,984	1984	$1,222,659	$313,472	$909,187	290%	$7,819
3XXXX PALM ISLE CT	4,883	2022	$1,652,721	$771,514	$881,207	114.2%	$7,578
1XXXX SHIRLEY SHORES RD	6,927	2006	$1,952,541	$1,094,466	$858,075	78.4%	$7,379
1XXXX FAIRVIEW PT	1,888	1982	$1,134,665	$298,304	$836,361	280.4%	$7,193
1XXXX DEER ISLAND RD	3,343	2023	$1,342,452	$528,194	$814,258	154.2%	$7,003
2XXXX STATE ROAD 19	1,920	1948	$1,116,618	$303,360	$813,258	268.1%	$6,994
3XXXX PALM ISLE CT	3,506	2018	$1,346,205	$553,948	$792,257	143%	$6,813
3XXXX SUNSET POINTE	4,047	2022	$1,375,397	$639,426	$735,971	115.1%	$6,329
1XXX DAVID WALKER DR	3,922	1994	$1,340,921	$619,676	$721,245	116.4%	$6,203
1XXXX DEER ISLAND RD	4,432	2006	$1,409,576	$700,256	$709,320	101.3%	$6,100
3XXXX PALM ISLE CT	4,857	2009	$1,471,385	$767,406	$703,979	91.7%	$6,054
3XXXX PALM ISLE CT	4,672	2006	$1,418,490	$738,176	$680,314	92.2%	$5,851
1XXX PENINSULA DR	6,226	2002	$1,658,376	$983,708	$674,668	68.6%	$5,802
1XXXX E SHIRLEY SHORES DR	4,280	1981	$1,350,485	$676,240	$674,245	99.7%	$5,799
3XXXX SUNSET POINTE	4,653	2008	$1,400,778	$735,174	$665,604	90.5%	$5,724

Data: FL DOR 2025 Final NAL roll, Lake County, ZIP 32778. Addresses anonymized to protect privacy; full data is public record under Fla. Stat. Ch. 119. Showing top 25 — there are likely more overassessed homes in this ZIP.

Is yours one of them?

Search your address — we'll show your specific overassessment estimate in 30 seconds. Then when LakeCounty's TRIM notice mails this August, you'll have a $49 DR-486 packet ready to file with the VAB.

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