Property taxes are an important part of homeownership in Texas, and understanding homestead exemptions, appraised values, and protest deadlines can help homeowners avoid unnecessary surprises.
Texas Residence Homestead Exemption
A qualifying Texas residence homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of your primary residence. In general, you must have an ownership interest in the property and use the home as your principal residence.
If you purchase and occupy a qualifying home after January 1, you may still be eligible for the general residence homestead exemption for the applicable portion of that tax year if the previous owner did not receive the same exemption for that year.
Additional exemptions may also be available for qualifying homeowners based on age, disability, disabled-veteran status, surviving-spouse status, or other circumstances. Eligibility and documentation requirements can vary, so homeowners should confirm the current requirements with their local appraisal district.
Be Careful With Paid Filing Offers
You may receive mail or advertisements from companies offering to file exemption paperwork for a fee. Homeowners can generally apply directly through their local appraisal district without paying a third party. Before sharing personal information or paying for assistance, make sure you are working with an official appraisal-district or Texas government resource.
Your Home’s Taxable Value
Your local appraisal district determines the appraised value used for property-tax purposes. If you believe the value or other appraisal information is incorrect, Texas property owners may have the right to file a protest with their local appraisal review board.
Protest deadlines and procedures can vary depending on when your notice was issued, so always review your appraisal notice and confirm the deadline directly with your local appraisal district.
If you are reviewing or protesting an appraised value, it can be helpful to gather supporting information such as comparable sales, photographs showing property condition, repair estimates, inspection reports, and other documentation that may help explain your position.
Understanding the Appraisal Process
The resource below provides an overview of the property appraisal process. Because property-tax laws, deadlines, and procedures can change, use this as a general educational resource and confirm current requirements with your appraisal district or another appropriate professional.
