Does Your Home Qualify As A Residence Homestead?
Homestead exemptions remove part of your home's value from taxation. If you want to receive a homestead exemption for the taxes on your home, the home must first qualify as a residence homestead on January 1 of the year in which you are applying. There are two requirements:
- You must own your home on January 1. (If you are over 65,and/or disabled the January 1 ownership and residency are not required.)
- You must use the home as your principal residence on January 1.
Exemptions For All Homeowners
If you own a residence homestead on January 1, your homestead will qualify for at least one homestead exemption and possibly more.
- Exemption for School Taxes: You will qualify for a $15,000 homestead exemption for the school taxes on your homestead. In other words, if your home is valued at $160,000, your school district will tax it as if it were worth only $145,000.
- Exemption for County Taxes: If your county collects a special tax for farm-to-market roads or flood control, you will receive a $3,000 homestead exemption for this tax. If your county doesn't have this special tax, you won't receive this exemption.
- Optional exemptions: Any taxing unit-including a school district, city, or county-may offer a homestead exemption for up to 20 percent of your home's appraised value. The amount of a percentage exemption can never be less than $5,000, no matter what the percentage is.
- Extra Exemptions: An adult who is disabled or is 65 or older is entitled to an exemption from taxation by a school district of $10,000 of the appraised value of his residence homestead.
- Exemption for Disabled Veterans: The exemption amount that a qualified disabled veteran receives depends on the veteran's disability rating from the branch of the armed service. Amounts start at $5,000.
- Optional over-65 or disabled exemptions: Any taxing unit may offer an additional exemption of at least $3,000 for taxpayers age 65 or older and/or disabled.
- File Homestead Exemption with your local appraisal district office. Detailed information available at State of Texas Exemptions page.
To Apply For Your Homestead Exemption
View a printable Application for Residential Homestead Exemption
Contact your local Appraisal District Office. Your appraisal district can answer questions about property values, exemptions, agricultural appraisal, and protests to the appraisal review board. Your taxing units can answer questions about tax rates and tax bills. The Comptroller's Property Tax Division can be reached by calling toll free 1-800-252-9121 or email ptd.cpa@cpa.state.tx.us.
Property Tax Division Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Tx. 78711-3528
Property Tax Division Physical Address:
1711 San Jacinto, Suite 403, Austin, Tx. 78701