Struggle over property taxes (Harris County)

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Liljo22

Are you calling to complain that your homestead exemption is not listed on the appraisal district's website or that your escrow amount is not lowering? If its not showing on the website, that is something they can look up and take care or. If its the payment amount, your bank does an escrow analysis once a year usually around the time you closed on the loan. They base it on the amount of tax you paid last year plus your insurance amount if that is paid by the bank directly. That amount will not change until the next analysis date even if you feel you are over paying. When the next analysis date comes, they will refund any overage you may have paid. The appraisal district has no control over that amount.

Thanks. But what if I would need to move/sell the house before the next escrow analysis? How can I get my overpaid tax back?

[chris_ut]

When you sell your house the bank sends you a check for your escrow funds.

[NTexas2010]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

When you sell your house the bank sends you a check for your escrow funds.

Also correct.

We bought/sold in 2015 and went through the same process.

[Ghost Town]

Thank you everyone for the information!

[Liljo22]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

Thanks. But what if I would need to move/sell the house before the next escrow analysis? How can I get my overpaid tax back?

I know people answered this but wanted to clear it up some. When you sell, the mortgage company the buyer is using will calculate the prorated amount of taxes you owe and you will be charged that amount at closing. After your loan amount is paid off, your mortgage company will refund you the full amount that is in your escrow account at that time.