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 33857 are overassessed?

37.3% of homes in Lorida ZIP 33857 (231 of 619 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 Lorida ZIP 33857?

File Form DR-486 with the Highlands 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.

Highlands County · Lorida

ZIP 33857 property tax overassessment report

37.3% of homes in Lorida ZIP 33857 (231 of 619 parcels) are assessed more than 10% above what comparable-size homes in the same ZIP typically pay per square foot. Combined annual overpayment: $137,666.

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

619

Homes in ZIP

231

Flagged as overassessed

37.3%

$69,297

Avg overage / home

$200,105

Typical value

~$119/sqft

Your Highlands County deadline

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

Highlands filing guide →

Top 25 most overassessed homes in 33857

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
3XXX WHITE OAK RD	2,940	1970	$680,146	$349,860	$330,286	94.4%	$2,840
2XX CYPRESS PT	1,849	2024	$429,184	$220,031	$209,153	95.1%	$1,799
1XXX BLUFF HAMMOCK RD	980	2024	$309,254	$116,620	$192,634	165.2%	$1,657
1XXX HERON DR S	2,168	2004	$438,362	$257,992	$180,370	69.9%	$1,551
5XX RACOON LN	4,154	1975	$673,000	$494,326	$178,674	36.1%	$1,537
6XX DRAGONFLY LN	1,743	1973	$383,747	$207,417	$176,330	85%	$1,516
2XXX WHEELER RD	780	1995	$265,774	$92,820	$172,954	186.3%	$1,487
1XX WILD DUCK PT	2,507	2006	$458,964	$298,333	$160,631	53.8%	$1,381
1XXX LAKESHORE DR	1,311	1980	$312,511	$156,009	$156,502	100.3%	$1,346
3XX RACOON LN	2,406	1982	$438,002	$286,314	$151,688	53%	$1,305
2XXX WHEELER RD	868	1950	$253,754	$103,292	$150,462	145.7%	$1,294
5XXX CR 621	2,618	2002	$454,863	$311,542	$143,321	46%	$1,233
2XXX VANCE AVE	1,761	2006	$350,082	$209,559	$140,523	67.1%	$1,208
1XXX TALL CYPRESS DR	1,515	2022	$319,624	$180,285	$139,339	77.3%	$1,198
3XXX WHITE OAK RD	2,188	1997	$393,887	$260,372	$133,515	51.3%	$1,148
2XXX WHEELER RD	1,332	2012	$291,185	$158,508	$132,677	83.7%	$1,141
2XXX UTE AVE	2,797	2006	$464,075	$332,843	$131,232	39.4%	$1,129
1XX WILD DUCK PT	3,554	2010	$548,711	$422,926	$125,785	29.7%	$1,082
1XXX HERON DR N	1,056	1992	$250,281	$125,664	$124,617	99.2%	$1,072
1XXX LAKESHORE DR	1,204	2016	$267,386	$143,276	$124,110	86.6%	$1,067
1XXX LAKESHORE DR	2,340	2004	$402,386	$278,460	$123,926	44.5%	$1,066
1XXX HERON DR S	1,829	2004	$339,598	$217,651	$121,947	56%	$1,049
5XX N LAKE DR	1,512	2003	$300,840	$179,928	$120,912	67.2%	$1,040
1XXX HERON DR N	999	1972	$239,543	$118,881	$120,662	101.5%	$1,038
1XXX TALL CYPRESS DR	1,771	1999	$329,266	$210,749	$118,517	56.2%	$1,019

Data: FL DOR 2025 Final NAL roll, Highlands County, ZIP 33857. 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 HighlandsCounty's TRIM notice mails this August, you'll have a $49 DR-486 packet ready to file with the VAB.

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