TEXAS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - USE IT OR LOSE IT!
The Texas Homestead Exemption is granted to the homeowner of record provided the home was owned by the homeowner as their legal residence as of January 1 of the taxable year. In essence, this exemption is a reduction in real estate property tax for the taxable year by lowering a home's taxable value. To be granted the Homestead Exemption the homeowner must occupy the home and the home must be considered their legal residence for all purposes. The Homestead Exemption in Texas provides legal home protection and saves you money on your property tax bill. All school districts offer a $5000 homestead exemption, and some taxing units offer a percentage exemption of up to 20% of a home's assessed value. Homeowners can lower their property taxes by applying for these exemptions for which they are eligible. You must OWN your own home and occupy it as your principal residence on or prior to January 1. Because we pay taxes in arrears, it is important to have your exemptions filed for the year prior to the deadline for you to take advantage of it the following year. You can have only ONE principal residence and ONE homestead exemption.
A special form is needed to apply for homestead exemptions. The form must be completed and returned to the appropriate appraisal office not before January 1 but no later than April 30. You can download the application from your appraisal district and send it to them. The actual process is both free and easy so take a few minutes to save yourself hundreds of dollars on your tax bill!!!
Appraisal District Homestead Exemption Forms:
Harris County Appraisal District
Downloadable Homestead Form - http://www.hcad.org/pdf/fill/11-13_fill.pdf
Address: 13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77040
Telephone: (713) 957-7800
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Website: http://www.hcad.org
Fort Bend County Appraisal District
Downloadable Homestead Form - http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-114.pdf
Address: 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Telephone: (281) 344-8623
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Wesite: http://www.fbcad.org
Brazoria County Appraisal District
Downloadable Homestead Form - http://www.brazoriacad.org/Applications/homestead.pdf
Address: 500 N. Chenango, Angleton, TX 77515
Telephone: (979) 849-7792
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Website: http://www.brazoriacad.org
Please don't fall for misleading solicitations to file your homestead exemption via phone or mail. There is NO FEE to file a property-tax homestead exemption. Shortly after the purchase of a home in Texas, you might receive constant letters on official-looking stationery offering to file your homestead exemption for you for a fee. PLEASE DISREGARD THESE LETTERS! Even some people who have lived in Texas their entire lives confuse these letters as a form from a state agency requiring a mandatory fee. Remember that not making application within the timeline for your county of residence will result in losing the exemption for the year. That is a heavy price to pay for not allowing an hour or so to get what is rightfully yours.
In many instances the county will mail an application to the new owner of record; however this is not always the case. Take a proactive approach toward obtaining this tax benefit that you should be entitled to. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I will gladly direct you to your Appraisal District in the Greater Houston Area and nearby suburbs and cities.
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Keller Williams Houston Metropolitan
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