4 Proven Steps to Slash Texas Campground Property Taxes
Owning a Texas campground should feel like living the dream—not watching your bank account shrivel up faster than a tumbleweed in the summer sun. But if your property tax assessment has you clutching your chest like you just saw gas prices hit $10 a gallon, you’re not alone. Good news? There’s a way to fight back. Even better news? You could save thousands while you’re at it.
Here’s the deal—Texas property taxes can be downright brutal, but you don’t have to accept them without a fight. With the right strategy, you can reduce your tax burden and keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs (hint: not in the government’s pocket). Ready? Let’s break it down.
When you bought your campground, you didn’t just buy dirt and trees—you bought a thriving business. But guess what? Not all of it should be taxable as real estate.
Assessors love to lump everything together, assuming the full sale price is real estate. That’s where they get you. Instead, work with an appraiser to break down the land, building improvements, equipment, and goodwill. Goodwill—your reputation, brand value, and customer base—isn’t taxable, and you don’t want it inflating your assessment.
Pro Tip: Texas assessors have a habit of overestimating campground values by lumping everything into one category. Your mission? Show them why that’s wrong and fight back with an itemized breakdown.
Texas doesn’t mess around with its property tax deadlines. Here’s the timeline you need to burn into your brain:
Miss the deadline? Say goodbye to any chance of appealing that inflated tax bill. Set a reminder, tattoo it on your arm—do whatever it takes to stay on top of this.
Telling the tax assessor, “This is unfair!” won’t get you far. What will? Cold, hard facts.
The burden of proof is on you, so don’t show up empty-handed. Think of this as a court case where the judge is your tax assessor, and your evidence is your strongest argument.
You’ve got three shots at reducing your tax bill:
Start small, but be ready to escalate. A calm, well-prepared approach is your best bet for success.
Here’s the kicker—this isn’t a “one-and-done” deal. Tax assessments fluctuate, and you should be challenging yours every single year. The campground owners who treat property tax appeals as a yearly financial strategy? They’re the ones keeping more of their money instead of funding the local government’s next big project.
Don’t let bloated assessments drain your revenue. Put these steps into action, keep more cash in your pocket, and make running your campground the profitable venture it was meant to be.
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Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.