Before a recent change in the Texas Tax Code (January 1, 2022), some homebuyers were not eligible for a property-tax homestead exemption until January 1 of the year following their home purchase. This caused those homebuyers to lose out on any benefit of the homestead exemption for up to a year after purchase. For example, if on January 2, 2020, a person purchased a home that did not have an existing homestead exemption, that person was not eligible to benefit from a homestead exemption until 2021.
This recent change allows homebuyers who purchase a property that does not already have a homestead exemption to apply for the exemption immediately. This includes homebuyers of new construction, properties that were owned by investors, and properties for which the seller had removed the homestead exemption. You can read more about the change here: https://www.texasrealestate.com/members/posts/new-homestead-exemption-law-benefits-residential-purchasers
Who qualifies for a Homestead Exemption?
These requirements must be met to receive the exemption:
- You must reside at the home as your principal residence and not claim any other property as a homestead.
- Only individual homeowners (not corporations or other entities) may receive a homestead exemption.
- A homestead can be a house, condominium, or manufactured home. It can include up to 20 acres if the land is also owned by the homeowner and used as a yard, or for another purpose related to the residential use of the home.
How to Apply for a Homestead Exemption
Your Homestead Exemption will be denied unless all of the required documents show the same homestead address. First, fill out the application specific to your County Appraisal District, then mail all of the documents to the Appraisal District for your County.
Download Residential Homestead Exemption Application for your County:
Travis County
Click here to file: https://traviscad.org/homesteadexemptions
Williamson County
Click here to file: https://www.wcad.org/online-exemption-information
Hays County
Click here to file: http://bisfiles.co/sites/shared/forms/50-114.pdf
Bastrop County
Click here to file: https://bastropcad.org/exemptions
Bell County
Click here to file: https://forms.bellcad.org/#/home
You will need a copy of your ID as well. Your ID needs to be from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) and the address must match the homestead address!
We also host a property tax protest informational event each year! If you’re interested in attending, please get in contact with us and we’ll make sure you receive an invite!
If you’re curious about what your home should sell for in today’s market, please start by visiting this link and we can fine-tune that for you!