January Question Of The Month

 

Property tax in Texas is a locally assessed and locally administered tax. There is no state property tax. Property taxes pay for schools, roads, police and firemen, emergency response services, libraries, parks, and other services provided by local government. State law provides for a variety of exemptions from property tax for property and property owners that qualify for the exemption. Texas offers a variety of partial or total (absolute) exemptions from appraised property values used to determine local property taxes. A partial exemption removes a percentage or a fixed dollar amount of a property’s value from taxation. A total (absolute) exemption excludes the entire property from taxation. Taxing units are mandated by the state to offer certain (mandatory) exemptions and have the option to decide locally on whether or not to offer others.

 

You can obtain an application for a residential homestead exemption online or in person at the central appraisal district of the county where the property is located. To qualify for a residential homestead exemption, a copy of the applicant’s Texas driver's license or Texas identification certificate must be included with the application. The address listed on the driver's license or Texas identification certificate must correspond to the address of the property for which an exemption is claimed on the application.

 

To receive your exemption(s), you must own and be living in the property as of January 1 of the year for which you are requesting an exemption. You must file between January 1 and April 30.