TexasCHLforum.com

Property taxes are assessed based on the value of the property on dec 31.

so...in dec 05 your property consisted of just land, so your tax levy for 2006 is low.

on Dec 31, 06 you had land and house....it will go up. Usually the amount that hits the rolls -initially -is the purchase price stated on your primary mortgage.

from there, it turns to the mystical formula the county uses.

good news - you can usually claim higher withholding on your w-4 to compensate for some of the property taxes & mortgage interest.

go to irs.gov and search for "withholding calculator" it's a pretty good app for guesstimating what your withholding should be.