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 33813 are overassessed?

17.2% of homes in Lakeland ZIP 33813 (2,625 of 15,285 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 Lakeland ZIP 33813?

File Form DR-486 with the Polk 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.

Polk County · Lakeland

ZIP 33813 property tax overassessment report

17.2% of homes in Lakeland ZIP 33813 (2,625 of 15,285 parcels) are assessed more than 10% above what comparable-size homes in the same ZIP typically pay per square foot. Combined annual overpayment: $2,257,072.

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

15,285

Homes in ZIP

2,625

Flagged as overassessed

17.2%

$99,981

Avg overage / home

$343,839

Typical value

~$118/sqft

Your Polk County deadline

TRIM mailing: Aug 14, 2026 · VAB petition due: Sept 8, 2026

Polk filing guide →

Top 25 most overassessed homes in 33813

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 LAKE MIRIAM DR	11,506	2001	$2,939,524	$1,357,708	$1,581,816	116.5%	$13,604
2XXX CREWS LAKE DR	8,179	1998	$2,448,755	$965,122	$1,483,633	153.7%	$12,759
5XXX LUCE RD	14,171	2007	$3,151,972	$1,672,178	$1,479,794	88.5%	$12,726
5XXX TERRY LN	10,950	1937	$2,759,826	$1,292,100	$1,467,726	113.6%	$12,622
5XXX LAKE IN THE WOODS BLVD	7,889	2016	$2,079,973	$930,902	$1,149,071	123.4%	$9,882
1XXX BLUE HERON LN	12,270	2016	$2,510,889	$1,447,860	$1,063,029	73.4%	$9,142
5XXX LUCE RD	12,119	2008	$2,480,602	$1,430,042	$1,050,560	73.5%	$9,035
6XXX KITTY FOX LN	6,200	2024	$1,754,367	$731,600	$1,022,767	139.8%	$8,796
1XXX SCOTTSLAND DR	13,196	1996	$2,575,044	$1,557,128	$1,017,916	65.4%	$8,754
6XX CHRISTINA BLVD E	8,049	2007	$1,906,331	$949,782	$956,549	100.7%	$8,226
5XX E CHRISTINA BLVD	7,964	2004	$1,863,763	$939,752	$924,011	98.3%	$7,946
5XXX LAKE IN THE WOODS BLVD	9,078	2003	$1,892,424	$1,071,204	$821,220	76.7%	$7,062
5XX QUAIL HOLLOW CT	6,137	1994	$1,481,989	$724,166	$757,823	104.6%	$6,517
5XXX LAKE IN THE WOODS BLVD	6,539	1996	$1,501,182	$771,602	$729,580	94.6%	$6,274
6XXX BROKEN ARROW TRL S	7,626	2016	$1,620,357	$899,868	$720,489	80.1%	$6,196
5XXX LIVE OAK RD	9,683	1977	$1,834,665	$1,142,594	$692,071	60.6%	$5,952
4XX CHRISTINA BLVD E	7,993	2005	$1,624,498	$943,174	$681,324	72.2%	$5,859
5XX CHRISTINA BLVD E	7,003	2003	$1,507,291	$826,354	$680,937	82.4%	$5,856
4XX CHRISTINA BLVD E	8,120	2004	$1,638,178	$958,160	$680,018	71%	$5,848
1XXX BLUE HERON LN	5,926	2000	$1,374,250	$699,268	$674,982	96.5%	$5,805
5XXX SCOTT LAKE RD	7,334	1996	$1,537,688	$865,412	$672,276	77.7%	$5,782
5XXX LAKE IN THE WOODS BLVD	8,028	2017	$1,618,885	$947,304	$671,581	70.9%	$5,776
5XXX LAKE IN THE WOODS BLVD	6,821	1996	$1,475,976	$804,878	$671,098	83.4%	$5,771
2XXX CARRIE LN	4,814	1995	$1,235,153	$568,052	$667,101	117.4%	$5,737
6XX CHRISTINA BLVD E	7,048	2006	$1,483,536	$831,664	$651,872	78.4%	$5,606

Data: FL DOR 2025 Final NAL roll, Polk County, ZIP 33813. 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 PolkCounty's TRIM notice mails this August, you'll have a $49 DR-486 packet ready to file with the VAB.

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