Changes to Homestead Exemptions

Due to a recent change in our Property Code, Texas homeowners now may be required to reapply for their homestead tax exemption every five years. This is a departure from the old rule, which treated the homestead exemption as a one-time filling - once granted, it stayed in place until the property was sold.

But the amended Code now requires appraisal districts to review exemptions periodically - and allows the chief appraiser to require a new application to confirm that a homeowner is still entitled to a given exemption. This includes the homestead exemption.

Not everyone will need to reapply - but many homeowners will. If you get a letter from the appraisal district, don't ignore it. If you have any questions, call the district office (and be nice to the person on the other end of the phone).

Make sure to respond with the required information within the stated deadline. In the vast majority of cases, the appraisal district will continue the exemption with no issue. But if you ignore the letter, you will lose your homestead exemption - which means your tax bill is going to go up significantly. 

Here is some information on the homestead tax exemption and the appraisal districts: