Dallas mayor seeks tax relief on his $1.6M home

Even mayors want lower property taxes for themselves.

To wit: Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and his wife are contesting the appraised value of their home, aiming to lower their property tax bill, the Dallas Morning News reported.

The couple’s 5,000 square-foot residence in the White Rock Lake area of East Dallas was appraised at nearly $1.6 million, which would result in an estimated tax payment of around $33,000. Around 28 percent of this amount would go to the city. The Johnsons have appealed their appraisal every year since 2012, according the outlet, citing public records.

Mayor Johnson has been vocal about his desire to reduce property taxes in Dallas, stating that the city already has the highest property tax rate among major cities in Texas. In an April 2021 newsletter, he emphasized that the largest portion of property taxes typically goes to the school district rather than the city. 

The market value of the Johnsons’ home has significantly increased over the years, rising from $280,000 in 2013 to $1.8 million in the current year.

The mayor’s pursuit of property tax relief aligns with ongoing discussions at the state level. Texas lawmakers are currently engaged in a special legislative session focused on reaching a consensus on a property tax cut plan. The State House and Senate have been at odds over how to allocate approximately $17.6 billion in surplus tax revenue to lower local school taxes.

Johnson, during his recent inauguration, expressed his goal of establishing the lowest tax rate among major cities in the North Texas area over the next four years. 

“Without meaningful property tax relief, residents may choose or be forced to forgo the opportunity to live and work in our great city,” Johnson said during his June inauguration, the outlet reported.

Dallas has the second-highest property tax rate among the ten largest cities in Texas, trailing only El Paso. The rate was lowered to 74.58 cents per $100 valuation last fall, marking the seventh consecutive year of reduction.

Several other Dallas City Council members, including Chad West and Jaime Resendez, have also protested the appraised values of their homes this year. Resendez encouraged property owners to appeal their appraisals if they feel they are paying more than their fair share. 

However, critics argue that without a state income tax, making significant cuts to property taxes is challenging.

The Dallas Central Appraisal District has received over 191,000 protests this year, with the number expected to be slightly lower than last year’s total, the Dallas News said. Approximately 79,000 protests have reached board hearings as of June 30, but the success rate of these appeals is unknown, the publication said.

— Ted Glanzer