Who doesn’t want to save money on their property taxes?

If you own a home, and haven’t yet filed for your homestead tax exemption, now is the time.

WHAT IS A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?

The homestead exemption reduces a homeowner’s property tax by removing part of the home’s value from taxation. All Texas homeowners may apply for and receive a General Residence Homestead Exemption of $25,000 on the value of their property for school taxes. Other taxing entities may also offer exemptions of some percentage of the home’s value. Other exemptions are available to homeowners who are over 65 or disabled and require the same application process. All exemptions are through the county appraisal district where the property is located.

WHO QUALIFIES?

These requirements must be met to receive the exemption:

1. You must own your home on January 1st of the year for which you are applying. (if you are over 65 and/or disabled, January 1st ownership and residency are not required.)
2. The home must be your principal residence on January 1st of that year, and you may not claim any other property as a homestead.
3. A homestead can be a house, condominium, or a manufactured home. It can include up to 20 acres if the land is also owned by the homeowner and used as a yard or for another purpose related to the residential use of the home.
4. You must apply between January 1st and April 30th of the year in which the exemption is granted.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Complete the Application for Residential Homestead Exemption available on the websites of most county appraisal districts, or at the Texas Comptroller’s website at https://comptroller.texas.gov/forms/50-778-i.pdf.
2. Include a copy of your Driver’s License or Identification Card from the Texas Department of Public Safety at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us. The address must match the homestead address.

For more information, contact your local county appraisal district office, or visit: http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/proptax/exemptions.html

Not sure who to contact about homestead exemptions in your county? Click here.