Homestead Exemptions in Texas

What are Homestead Exemptions?

Homestead exemptions remove part of your home's value from taxation, so they lower your taxes. Homestead exemptions are a progressive approach to property tax relief—that is, the largest tax cuts as a share of income go to lower- and middle income taxpayers.

Who is eligible for Homestead Exemptions?

The exemptions apply only to property that you own and occupy as your principal place of residence on or before Jan. 1st 2020. If you qualify as someone of the age of 65 or older, disabled, surviving spouse of an individual who qualified for age 65 or older, 100 percent disabled veteran, surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who qualified or would have qualified, donated residence homestead of partially disabled veteran, surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who qualified for the donated residence, surviving spouse of a member of armed services killed in action, or surviving spouse of a first responded killed in the line of duty you are eligible for additional exemptions but additional documentation is required.

How do you apply for Homestead Exemptions?

The Homestead Form should be available on your county website. From there you complete the form and send in with a copy of your ID. Below are the links to Montgomery County and Harris County Homestead Exemption Forms.

https://mcad-tx.org/Forms

https://hcad.org/hcad-forms/hcad-popular-forms/

When do you complete this?

Generally, the completed application and required documentation is due no later than April 30th of the year for which the exemption is requested and can start the 1st of January. The due date for person age 65 or older, disabled, or partially disabled veterans with donated homesteads to apply for the exemption is no later than the first anniversary of the qualification date.