How to File your Texas Homestead Tax Exemption
Whats New This Year?
A new law effective January 1, 2022, provides property-tax relief by allowing homebuyers to file for homestead exemptions in the year when they purchase the property, provided it is their primary residence. Previously, new homeowners had to wait until the following year to file for the exemption.
What is a homestead tax exemption?
A homestead exemption helps you save on taxes on your home. Every property owner, or married couple, can designate their primary residence as their “Homestead.” This designation lowers the taxable value of your property for certain taxing entities, thus lowering the total amount of tax you owe. Filing your residential homestead exemption is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to combat high Texas property taxes.
How to apply?
It’s a simple form to be filled out and mailed to the Tarrant Appraisal District. Filing this exemption is free of charge and simple for you to complete on your own! Your Texas homestead exemption may potentially reduce the amount of property taxes owed on your property. The exemption may extend to the home and up to 20 acres of land used for a purpose related to the residential use of the homestead. Different taxing entities give different exemptions, depending upon the type of taxing entity and location.
Steps to apply for homestead exemption:
Download the application from the Tarrant County Appraisal district’s website.
https://www.tad.org/wp-contentpdf/templates/HomesteadApplication2022.pdf
Download the application from the Parker County Appraisal district’s website.
Download the application from the Johnson County Appraisal district’s website.
http://www.johnsoncad.com/Portals/tx-johnson/50-114.pdf
Download the application from the Denton CountyAppraisal district’s website.
Complete the form and attach copies of your Driver’s License. Note: The address listed on your Driver’s License must match the address of the homestead. Check with your local tax appraisal district for further information and requirements before Submission.
What if you bought your home in 2021? For primary residence as of January 1 this year, you have until April 30, 2022, to file your homestead exemption.
*The homestead exemption will remain in place as long as the owners occupy the property as their homestead. If the owners sell the property or no longer occupy the homestead, they should request a removal of the exemption.
