Homeowner and Property Taxes in Texas

There are varying factors that can determine whether or not your home qualifies for a tax exemption. For example, you must have lived in the home as of January 1, and the home must be your homestead. Temporarily leaving the home is okay, though should you find another permanent residence, rules apply accordingly. There are rules abound. We’ll go through a few of them here so as get somewhat of a clearer idea of how tax exemption on homes works in Texas.

First, taxes are delivered via taxing units, an array of units including the cities and special districts and schools that decide how much money is needed for their public services. There are also different exemptions with each unit. For example, school taxes can be exempted, qualifying for a $15,000 homestead exemption on your home’s value. Also, county taxes. If your county collects special taxes for FM roads or flood control, you will receive a $3,00 exemption for this tax. Any taxing unit can offer an exemption up to 20 percent.

If you are sixty five years or older, and have lived in your home since January 1, your residence homestead will qualify for more exemptions. You will qualify for a $10,000 homestead exemption for the school taxes on your home’s value, in addition to $15,000 for all homeowners. You will get a tax ceiling for school taxes and your taxes will never go beyond that ceiling.

Disabled persons can also get exemptions. Diabled, here, means 1) you cannot engage in gainful work because of physical or mental disability 2) you are 55 years old and blind and can’t engage in your previos work because of your blindness.

If you are older than sixty five, you can also postpone or defer paying delinquent property taxes on your home. Also, property taxes can be delayed with a property tax loan.

Source: Window on State Government, (2)