Why did my property tax bill jump after I bought the house?

Many counties reassess a property to its new market value when it sells, so if you paid more than the prior assessed value, your bill can rise sharply the first year — sometimes catching new owners off guard when their escrow shortage triggers a payment increase. Some states cap annual assessment increases for existing owners but reset the cap at sale, meaning you inherit a higher baseline than the seller paid. Ask the assessor how reassessment works locally before you buy, and check whether homestead exemptions or senior or veteran breaks apply once it's your primary residence. If the new assessment looks too high versus comparable sales, you can usually appeal it within a set window.