The Promise vs. The Reality

Imagine getting an advertisement that claims you could lower your property taxes with little effort on your part. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Companies like Onwell offer to handle the property tax appeal process for you, taking a cut of whatever savings they secure. But here’s the question: Is it worth paying someone to do something you can do for free?

Let’s break it down.

 

How Property Tax Appeals Work

Every year, local governments assess the value of your home to determine your property tax bill. If you believe your home has been overvalued—resulting in higher taxes—you have the right to challenge the assessment through an appeal.

 

That’s where companies like Onwell step in. Their pitch is simple: They’ll file the appeal on your behalf, and if they successfully lower your tax bill, they take a 25% cut of your savings. If they don’t save you money, you owe them nothing.

 

Sounds fair, right? Well, here’s the catch: You don’t actually need a third party to file an appeal. The process is something homeowners can handle themselves—at no cost.

 

DIY vs. Hiring a Service: What’s the Difference?

Hiring a company to appeal your property tax assessment is a lot like using a tax preparer for your income taxes. You can do it yourself for free, but some people prefer to pay for the convenience of having a professional handle the details.

 

If you choose to go the DIY route, here’s what the process generally looks like:

  1. Review Your Assessment – Check the assessed value of your home on your property tax statement. Compare it to recent home sales in your neighborhood.
  2. Gather Evidence – If you believe your home is overvalued, collect data to support your claim. This may include recent home sale prices, property appraisals, or photos showing structural issues that could lower your home’s value.
  3. File an Appeal – Each municipality has its own procedures and deadlines for tax appeals. Typically, you’ll submit a formal request along with your supporting documents.
  4. Attend a Hearing (If Necessary) – In some cases, you may need to present your case in a hearing, though many appeals are handled through paperwork alone.

When you hire a company, they take care of these steps for you. However, you’ll give up a percentage of your savings in return.

 

Is It Worth Paying for an Appeal Service?

There are a few scenarios where hiring a company might make sense:

  • You don’t have the time – If your schedule is packed and you’d rather not deal with gathering paperwork and submitting forms, outsourcing the task could be convenient.
  • You’re unfamiliar with the process – Some homeowners find the idea of appealing their taxes intimidating and feel more comfortable letting an expert handle it.
  • You’d rather have someone else deal with the paperwork – If administrative tasks aren’t your thing, a service like Onwell can take the hassle off your plate.

But if you’re comfortable handling basic paperwork and doing a little research, you can keep 100% of your tax savings by filing the appeal yourself.

 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, appealing your property tax assessment isn’t rocket science. If you’re willing to invest a little time, you can do it yourself and keep every dollar you save. But if you prefer the convenience of having someone else handle the details, just be aware that it comes at a cost.

Before you decide, ask yourself: Would you rather save time or save money?

 

Want more consumer insights like this? Stay informed by checking out our latest reports on smart financial decisions and homeownership tips.