Texas Homestead Exemption

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS offered in the state of Texas:

ALERT!  New filing requirements took effect September 1, 2011.  This page provides the new law and filing requirements.

JANUARY 2013:  FILING FOR A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

WHAT’S A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?  It’s a way to receive a discount on your Property Taxes. In TEXAS you have the right to claim your primary residence as your “Homestead.” Doing so, will give you a nice tax break (up to $15,000)!

Here’s the official word on Homestead and other exemptions available —> Bexar County Appraisal District (BCAD)

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE TAX BREAK WORKS… Let’s say your homestead (your primary residence) is valued at $100,000 and you qualify for a $15,000 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.  Instead of paying School Taxes on $100,000, you’ll pay school taxes as if your home was only worth $85,000.  NOT BAD, HUH?

As long as the property meets certain criteria AND you have lived in the home as of January 1st of your filing year, you should qualify easily!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• A copy of your Driver License (or state-issued I.D.) —AND—
• A copy of your Vehicle Registration Receipt

• If you do not own a vehicle, simply sign an affidavit stating so and submit a copy of a utility bill.

The Driver License and Vehicle Registration Receipt (or Utility Bill) MUST show the property address you’re filing for.

HELPFUL NOTE:  A Homestead Exemption also protects your home from a “Forced Sale” by a creditor.  See “Homestead Exemption” for more information and exclusions.

ALERT!  ALERT!  ALERT!  YOU MIGHT RECEIVE SOLICITATION IN THE MAIL OFFERING TO FILE YOUR APPLICATION (ON YOUR BEHALF), FOR A NOMINAL FEE.   **DON’T DO IT**  This is a FREE service!

SCROLL DOWN FOR HELPFUL LINKS AND APPLICATION FORMS…

Homestead Application can be found online at www.bcad.org (Bexar County Appraisal District).
*** YOU ONLY HAVE TO FILE ONCE *** 

For other Texas Counties, visit www.texascad.com

Once you’ve landed on the correct County Appraisal District Web site, follow these quick and easy steps…
[The following hyperlinks are for Bexar County]

1. Click on “Forms“
2. Click on “Exemption Application Forms (ex. Homestead, Veterans, AG, Freeport etc.)”
3. Select “Residential Homestead Exemption (General, Over 65 and Disabled)”

You will be directed to Homestead information, instructions and the Homestead Application.  Fill out the form using the tax records for your property [link leads to Bexar county property search].

You can search your property by name or address.  The “Geographic ID” number on your Tax Record is the “County Account Number” you will need for your Homestead Application.

V.I.P. SERVICE OFFERED BY Val J Aranda, REALTOR® – Metro Realty:
Clients who purchase a home through Val, will receive their Homestead Exemption Applications in the mail.

If you are NOT a client of Metro Realty, but would like additional assistance with your Homestead Exemption application, we welcome your questions.  We are here to guide you, too.

State Government answers to in-depth Homestead Exemption questions.

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Texas law requires all real estate license holders to provide the Information About Brokerage Services to all prospective clients. TREC’s Consumer Protection Notice.