Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions

Filing for Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions is a great chance for homeowners to combat high Texas property taxes as well as an opportunity to reduce financial stress. This opportunity is available to owners who live in the subject property, not leasing their home to tenants.

Filing these exemptions are free of charge and simple for you to complete on your own. If you are receiving mailings and/or telephone inquiries offering to file for you, these are for-profit entities, and you do not need their assistance to file and receive the exemptions.

A homestead can be a separate structure, condominium or a manufactured home located on owned or leased land, as long as the individual living in the home owns it. A homestead can include up to 20 acres, if the land is owned by the homeowner and used for a purpose related to the residential use of the homestead.

The Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions allow you to reduce the amount of property taxes you pay on your primary residence. While the amounts vary, here are the basic kinds of savings you can expect:

School taxes: All residence homestead owners are allowed a $25,000 homestead exemption from their home's value for school taxes.

County taxes: If a county collects a special tax for farm-to-market roads or flood control, a residence homestead is allowed to receive a $3,000 exemption for this tax. If the county grants an optional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older or disabled, the owners will receive only the local-option exemption.

Age 65 or older and disabled exemptions: Individuals age 65 or older or disabled residence homestead owners qualify for a $10,000 homestead exemption for school taxes, in addition to the $25,000 exemption for all homeowners. If the owner qualifies for both the $10,000 exemption for age 65 or older homeowners and the $10,000 exemption for disabled homeowners, the owner must choose one or the other for school taxes. The owner cannot receive both exemptions.

Optional percentage exemptions: Any taxing unit, including a city, county, school, or special district, may offer an exemption of up to 20 percent of a home's value. But, no matter what the percentage is, the amount of an optional exemption cannot be less than $5,000. Each taxing unit decides if it will offer the exemption and at what percentage. This percentage exemption is added to any other home exemption for which an owner qualifies. The taxing unit must decide before July 1 of the tax year to offer this exemption.

Optional age 65 or older or disabled exemptions: Any taxing unit may offer an additional exemption amount of at least $3,000 for taxpayers age 65 or older and/or disabled.

The completed application and required documentation are due no later than April 30 of the tax year for which you are applying. A late homestead exemption application, however, may be filed up to two years after the delinquency date, which is usually Feb. 1.

Only a homeowner's principal residence qualifies. To qualify, a home must meet the definition of a residence homestead: The home's owner must be an individual (for example: not a corporation or other business entity) and use the home as his or her principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year. An age 65 or older or disabled exemption is effective as of Jan. 1 of the tax year the applicant qualifies for the homestead and applies to the entire tax year.

Outlined below are the county websites where you can go file your Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions. We have separated them by county as finding the necessary form(s) differ by county. Always check with your taxing authority for details regarding exemptions details.

If you have general questions about Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions:

https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/residence-faq.php.

The Real Estate Advisors | REALTORS® from DFWREAdvisors are committed to providing you with first class service before, during & after the purchase or sale of your home. We understand that you have a choice when buying and selling your home and we sincerely appreciated the opportunity to assist you.

If we can ever be of assistance to you, your family, or your friends, please call us at 469-262-5411. We are here when you need us and would be honored to assist you with your real estate needs!

Bottom Line

If someone you know purchased a home recently, pass this along to them. We are available to answer any questions you, or they, may have regarding filing or any real estate related questions. These rules and regulations on the Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions are subject to change. DFWREAdvisors is not responsible for errors or omissions or misunderstandings and suggests you check out the latest information and requirements at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/residence-faq.php.

How To File For Your Texas Residence Homestead Exemptions: