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Homestead Tax Exemptions

  • Writer: Brittainy Lykins
    Brittainy Lykins
  • Jan 15, 2021
  • 2 min read

What Is a Homestead Tax Exemption?

A homestead tax exemption exempts part of your home’s value from taxation. Without Homestead Exemptions, homeowners pay taxes based on the appraised value of their homes (county appraisal district appraisal, not your lender's appraisal), but exemptions lower the taxable value to the assessed value. Then, taxes are calculated on the lower amount.

How Does It Work?

All residential homesteads are allowed a $25,000 exemption. For example, if your home is appraised at $500,000, and you qualify for a $25,000 exemption (the amount mandated for school districts across the state of Texas), you will pay school taxes on the home as if it was worth $475,000. Taxing units (counties) have the option to offer a separate exemption of up to 20% of the total value.

Additional exemptions include: ages 65+ and disabled homeowners can quality for an additional $10,000 school district tax exemption, and disabled Veterans and certain dependents may qualify for an additional exemption of up to $12,000.

Can I File It Myself?

Yes! There is NO cost to file. It’s EASY and FREE.

But don’t be misled! You will receive letters in the mail from businesses offering to file the exemption for you in return for a fee. Toss those mailers in the trash.

How Do I File My Homestead Exemption?

To receive this exemption, you must meet certain criteria (you must own your home and the property must be your primary residence on January 1st of the tax year) and complete required paperwork (one time only per property). A copy of your driver’s license is required, so be sure it reflects your new address before you file.

Click on your county's appraisal district link below where you can complete this form online, mail it in, or deliver it to your local appraisal district office. The chief appraiser in your district will process your application and will notify you when your homestead tax exemption has been processed. You have until the end of April to file, but why wait until the last minute?! It’s good to do this as soon as possible. When you receive your new tax assessment the first week in May, all your information will be correct.

Please contact me if I can help in any way!




 
 
 

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