Sources & currency
Texas Property Tax Exemptions: Complete 2026 Guide
Key figures
- Homestead, against school taxes
- $140,000
- Proposition 13, from tax year 2025 · Tax Code §11.13
- Over-65 or disabled, additional
- $60,000
- Proposition 11; take one, not both · Tax Code §11.13
- What the homestead exemption saves
- $1,230–$1,810
- per year, at the school rate · computed from adopted rates
Reviewed September 1, 2026 · figures come from the same data the calculator uses; sources are cited where each figure is discussed below.
Property tax exemptions can significantly reduce your tax bill. This guide explains all available exemptions in Texas, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
Texas Homestead Exemption - The Big One
The most valuable exemption available to Texas homeowners living in their primary residence.
🎉 Texas Homestead Benefits (Required by State Law):
- $140,000 reduction for school district taxes
- 10% cap on annual assessment increases
- Worth $1,230–$1,810 a year, against school taxes only
- Required by law in all school districts
- Protection against sudden value spikes
- Automatically renewed annually
Additional Local Government Benefits (Varies by County/City):
County Benefits:
- • Up to 20% reduction (maximum $5,000)
- • Most Texas counties participate
- • Applies to county taxes only
- • Automatic with homestead exemption
City Benefits:
- • Varies widely ($0 to $5,000+)
- • Many offer $5,000 exemption
- • Some offer percentage reductions
- • Check with your city specifically
Junior College:
- • Typically $3,000 exemption
- • Most junior college districts participate
- • Automatic with homestead application
- • Smaller but still meaningful savings
Other Districts:
- • Water districts may offer exemptions
- • Emergency services districts
- • Hospital districts in some areas
- • Transit authorities
Eligibility Requirements
- Must own the property
- Must live in property as primary residence
- Must occupy property as of January 1st
- One exemption per person/married couple
- Must apply by March 1st
How to Apply
Required Documents:
- • Texas driver's license or ID card
- • Deed or mortgage statement
- • Completed homestead exemption application
- • Voter registration (if available)
Application Process:
- 1. Complete the application form
- 2. Attach required documents
- 3. Submit to county appraisal district
- 4. Receive confirmation by mail
Texas Over-65 Exemption
Additional significant benefits for Texas homeowners aged 65 or older.
🎉 Special Texas Benefit:
School taxes freeze FOREVER at the level of the year you turn 65
This means your school taxes will never increase, no matter how much your property value goes up.
Over-65 Benefits Include:
- $60,000 additional exemption (increased from $10,000 after Proposition 11 passed in 2025)
- Stacks with homestead exemption: $140,000 homestead + $60,000 senior = $200,000 total for school district taxes
- Permanent school tax ceiling freeze
- Transfers to surviving spouse
- Can apply anytime during the year you turn 65
Example Savings:
Homeowner at 65:
Property value: $400,000
School tax rate: 1.2%
Exemption: $200,000
Annual school tax: $2,400 (frozen forever)
Same home at 75 (value now $600,000):
Without freeze: $4,800 in school taxes
With freeze: $2,400 (same as at 65)
Annual savings: $2,400
Texas Disabled Person Exemption
Valuable savings for Texas homeowners with disabilities.
Disability Benefits:
- $60,000 additional school exemption, on top of the homestead — not instead of it
- $140,000 homestead + $60,000 disabled = $200,000 total
- Optional school tax ceiling available
- The extra $60,000 is worth $527–$776 a year
Qualification Requirements:
- Unable to engage in substantial gainful activity
- Physical or mental impairment
- SSI/SSDI recipients automatically qualify
- Physician certification required (if not receiving SSI/SSDI)
Texas Veteran Exemptions
Texas offers some of the most generous veteran property tax benefits in the nation.
🇺🇸 Texas Honors Veterans:
Texas provides substantial property tax relief for disabled veterans, with 100% disabled veterans receiving complete exemption from property taxes.
| Disability Level | Exemption Amount | Annual Savings* |
|---|---|---|
| 10-29% disabled | $5,000 | $82 |
| 30-49% disabled | $7,500 | $123 |
| 50-69% disabled | $10,000 | $164 |
| 70-99% disabled | $12,000 | $197 |
| 100% disabled | Total Exemption | The whole bill |
*At the mean of the 254 county rates this site holds, 1.64%. Unlike the homestead exemption, the §11.22 veteran exemption applies to every taxing unit on the bill, not just the school district, so the full rate is the right multiplier here. A veteran rated 100% disabled by the VA pays no property tax at all on the residence homestead under §11.131.
100% Disabled Veteran Benefits:
- • Complete exemption from ALL property taxes
- • No income limitations
- • No property value limitations
- • Applies to primary residence
- • Surviving spouse continues benefit if unmarried
Surviving Spouse Benefits:
- • Unmarried surviving spouses can continue exemption
- • Must have been receiving exemption before veteran's death
- • Cannot remarry to maintain exemption
- • Applies to same property where exemption was granted
Important Texas Deadlines
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