Texas Homestead Exemption
If a Texas home is your primary residence, school districts must exempt $140,000 of its appraised value — and $200,000 if you are 65 or older or disabled. The exemption also caps how fast your taxable value can grow at 10% a year. On a $350,000 home it saves most owners well over $1,000 a year.
How much does the homestead exemption save?
| Tax without the exemption | — |
|---|---|
| Tax with the exemption | — |
| You save | — |
Uses the county's 2025 rate, its largest school district and city, and a county-wide hospital district where there is one. Applies the state school exemptions only; optional county and city exemptions would save more.
What the exemption does
- $140,000 off school taxes. School districts must exempt this amount from a homestead's appraised value. Voters approved the increase from $100,000 (Proposition 13) in November 2025, effective for the 2025 tax year.
- $60,000 more for 65+ or disabled owners (Proposition 11, also November 2025) — $200,000 in all — and school taxes on the home are frozen at the level of the year you qualify (the tax ceiling), as long as you don't add major improvements.
- A 10% cap on taxable value. After the first year, the homestead's taxable value cannot rise more than 10% a year, plus new improvements.
- Optional local exemptions. Counties, cities and special districts may exempt up to 20% of a homestead's value (at least $5,000) and add their own amounts for owners 65+ or disabled.
- Disabled veterans rated 100% disabled or unemployable by the VA owe no property tax on their homestead; partially disabled veterans get a smaller exemption based on their rating.
How much it saves in the largest counties
Estimated yearly tax on a $350,000 home, using each county's 2025 rate, its largest school district and city, and the county hospital district where there is one.
| County | School district | Tax without exemption | Homestead saves | 65+ / disabled saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County | Houston ISD | $6,881 | $1,230 | $1,757 |
| Dallas County | Dallas ISD | $7,420 | $1,391 | $1,988 |
| Tarrant County | Fort Worth ISD | $7,176 | $1,441 | $2,058 |
| Bexar County | North East ISD | $7,350 | $1,375 | $1,964 |
| Travis County | Austin ISD | $6,801 | $1,295 | $1,850 |
| Collin County | Plano ISD | $5,693 | $1,455 | $2,079 |
| Denton County | Lewisville ISD | $6,647 | $1,565 | $2,236 |
| Fort Bend County | Fort Bend ISD | $6,397 | $1,480 | $2,114 |
| Hidalgo County | Edinburg CISD | $6,600 | $1,206 | $1,723 |
| El Paso County | El Paso ISD | $8,890 | $1,513 | $2,161 |
The 65+ column applies both school exemptions but not the tax ceiling, which saves more over time. Optional county and city exemptions are not included.
How to apply
- Get Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application) from your county appraisal district's website — most accept it online.
- Attach a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the home's address; the address must match the property.
- File by April 30. If you missed it, you can file a late application up to two years after the taxes become delinquent and get a corrected bill or refund.
- Turning 65? Apply for the age 65 or older exemption once you qualify; a late application is accepted up to two years after your 65th birthday.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Texas homestead exemption in 2025?
School districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's appraised value, plus another $60,000 for owners who are 65 or older or disabled. Voters raised both amounts in November 2025 (Propositions 13 and 11), effective for the 2025 tax year. Counties, cities and special districts may add their own optional exemptions.
When is the deadline to file for the homestead exemption in Texas?
File Form 50-114 with your county appraisal district by April 30. A late application is accepted up to two years after the date the taxes become delinquent, so you can still claim an exemption you missed.
Do I have to reapply every year?
No. Once granted, the exemption stays in place until your eligibility changes, though the appraisal district may ask you to confirm it. Owners who turn 65 file once more to add the age 65 or older exemption.
Does the homestead exemption lower county and city taxes?
The $140,000 exemption applies to school district taxes only. Counties, cities and special districts can grant a local option exemption of up to 20% of the home's value (at least $5,000), and many offer an extra exemption for owners 65 or older; check your bill or appraisal district to see which apply.
What is the 10% homestead cap?
Once a home qualifies, its taxable value for the following years cannot rise more than 10% a year above the previous year's, plus the value of new improvements, however much the market value grows.
See Texas property tax rates by county for every county's rates, median bills and a full calculator with all local taxing units.
Sources
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: property tax exemptions, exemption application deadlines and Form 50-114.
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: 2025 tax rates and levies (rates used in the table and calculator).
- Methodology