Texas Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Texas has 7 main property tax relief programs, administered through your County Appraisal District. Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
Total (100%) exemption of the residence homestead's appraised value.
Earliest common deadline
April 30
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your County Appraisal District. You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your County Appraisal District directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Texas property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Residence Homestead ExemptionHomestead | $140,000 of appraised value exempted from school district taxes; taxing units may also offer a local-option exemption of up to 20% of value (minimum $5,000). | Must own and occupy the home as your principal residence as of January 1; you may not claim a homestead exemption on any other property in or outside Texas. | April 30Late filing: up to 2 years back | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 11.13(a),(b),(n); § 11.431 (late application)Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption ↗ |
| Age 65 or Older ExemptionSenior (65+) | Additional $60,000 school district homestead exemption (on top of the general homestead exemption); local taxing units may offer an additional exemption of at least $3,000. | Age 65+ · Must own and occupy the home as your principal residence. | April 30Late filing: up to 2 years back | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 11.13(c),(d)Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption ↗ |
| Disabled Person ExemptionDisability | Additional $60,000 school district homestead exemption; local taxing units may offer an additional exemption of at least $3,000. | Must meet the definition of disabled for the purpose of receiving disability insurance benefits under the federal Social Security Act. · Must own and occupy the home as your principal residence. | April 30Late filing: up to 2 years back | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 11.13(c),(d)Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption ↗ |
| Disabled Veteran Partial ExemptionVeteran | $5,000 to $12,000 exemption depending on VA disability rating (10–29% = $5,000; 30–49% = $7,500; 50–69% = $10,000; 70% or more = $12,000). | VA or armed-services disability rating of at least 10%. · Texas resident; veteran or surviving spouse/child in some cases. | April 30 | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 11.22Form 50-135, Application for Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption ↗ |
| 100% Disabled Veteran Homestead ExemptionVeteranVerify locally | Total (100%) exemption of the residence homestead's appraised value. | 100% service-connected disability rating or individual unemployability determination from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. · Must own and occupy the home as your principal residence. | April 30Late filing: up to 5 years back | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 11.131Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption ↗ |
| School Tax Ceiling (Age 65+ or Disabled Freeze)Assessment Freeze | Freezes school district taxes on the homestead at the amount paid in the year you qualified; the amount cannot increase unless you make improvements. | Age 65+ · Available to 65+ homeowners or homeowners who qualify for the Disabled Person exemption. · Must have the residence homestead exemption and the over-65 or disabled exemption. | Automatic | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 11.26No separate form (established via Form 50-114) ↗ |
| Age 65+ or Disabled Tax DeferralTax Deferral | Defers (postpones) all property taxes on the homestead for as long as you qualify; a 5% annual interest accrues but no penalties, and no collection while you own and occupy the home. | Age 65+ · Available to 65+ homeowners or those who qualify for the Disabled Person exemption. · Must own and occupy the home as your residence homestead. | Any time | Official source ↗Tex. Tax Code § 33.06Form 50-126, Tax Deferral Affidavit ↗ |
Missed a deadline? You may still be able to file — and get money back.
Several programs here accept late applications for prior years. If approved, your County Appraisal Districtcan reduce a bill you haven't paid or refund taxes you already paid on the exempted amount.
- ↻General Residence Homestead Exemption: late applications accepted up to 2 years back — File after January 1 and before May 1 of the tax year. Applications may be filed up to two years after the delinquency date.
- ↻Age 65 or Older Exemption: late applications accepted up to 2 years back — File before May 1; the exemption takes effect for the entire year in which you turn 65. Late applications accepted up to two years after the delinquency date.
- ↻Disabled Person Exemption: late applications accepted up to 2 years back — File before May 1. Late applications accepted up to two years after the delinquency date.
- ↻100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption: late applications accepted up to 5 years back — May be filed up to five years after the delinquency date under Tax Code § 11.431 for this exemption category.
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Texas property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Texas?
Texas offers 7 main property tax relief programs: General Residence Homestead Exemption, Age 65 or Older Exemption, Disabled Person Exemption, Disabled Veteran Partial Exemption, 100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption, School Tax Ceiling (Age 65+ or Disabled Freeze), Age 65+ or Disabled Tax Deferral. Each is administered through your County Appraisal District.
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Texas?
You apply through your County Appraisal District — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
I missed the Texas exemption deadline — can I still file?
Possibly. General Residence Homestead Exemption accepts late applications up to 2 years back; Age 65 or Older Exemption accepts late applications up to 2 years back; Disabled Person Exemption accepts late applications up to 2 years back; 100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption accepts late applications up to 5 years back. If approved, you may receive a reduced bill or a refund of taxes paid on the exempted value.
Is filing for a Texas property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your County Appraisal District. Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Texas to other states by relief type
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