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Filing Your Homestead Exemption

By Ashley Robustelli on January, 7 2021
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Ashley Robustelli
Ashley Robustelli

Digital Marketing Strategist
Ashley focuses on marketing strategy, digital content, and driving conversions. With a diverse background in graphic design, event planning, and marketing, she brings specialized skills to the Omega team.

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.

 

keys to new home

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

Texas Homestead Application Form


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 McLennan County:

Residents of McLennan County can use the Online Exemption Form by clicking here.

McLennan Central Appraisal District

254-752-9864

315 S 26th Street, Waco, TX 76710

www.mclennancad.org


For more information about the Residence Homestead Exemption, click here to see Frequently Asked Questions on the Comptroller.Texas.gov website.

Download the Homestead Exemption Form

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in January 2018 and has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.

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