Residential Homestead Exemptions remove part of your home's value to reduce the taxable amount, saving you money on your property taxes each year. To apply, you must own your home and it must be your primary residence as of January 1 of the year in which you are applying.
When you purchase a new home to live in, that is considered to be your primary residence.
You'll also need to update your address on your driver's license to match your primary residence - this is required for proof of residency on the application.
When to Submit Your Application
You can complete the application as early as January 1 and no later than April 30.
How Does the Exemption Work?
In Texas, there is a general exemption of $100,000 - you may also qualify for Age 65 or older or disabled exemptions. The way the exemptions work is to reduce the appraised value of your home so you pay taxes on a lower amount.
If your home appraised for $300,000 and you qualify for a $100,000 exemption, your taxable value would be $200,000. It is important to note that your taxable value is based on the appraised value of your home, not what you paid for it.
At least once every three years, each county appraisal district determines the value of all taxable property within the county boundaries. Learn more about Valuing Property at Comptroller.Texas.gov by clicking here.
How Do I Apply?
To file your Homestead Exemption in Texas: Complete the Residential Homestead Exemption Application
At the top of the form you are required to provide the Appraisal District's Name, Phone Number, Address, and Website.
For Bell County:
Residents of Bell County must sign in or register to file online by clicking here.
Tax Appraisal District of Bell County
254-939-5841 (Belton) or 254-771-1108 (Temple)
P.O. Box 390, Belton, TX 76513
www.bellcad.org
For Brazos County:
Residents of Brazos County can now file online by clicking here.
Brazos Central Appraisal District
979-774-4100
1673 Briarcrest Dr #A-101, Bryan, TX 77802
www.brazoscad.org
For more information about the Residence Homestead Exemption, click here to see Frequently Asked Questions on the Comptroller.Texas.gov website.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in January 2018 and has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.