The Texas Tribune explains how homeowners can claim a homestead exemption to reduce their property tax bills. The exemption reduces taxable home value, particularly lowering school property taxes.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 20, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
Homestead exemption reduces taxable home value, cutting property tax payments to schools, cities and counties; homeowners age 65 or with qualifying disability receive additional exemptions and frozen school tax bills.
Homestead exemption on home value for school districts$140,0001Who pays or receives it: school districts (reducing taxable value)
Additional homestead exemption for seniors or disabled homeowners$60,0001Who pays or receives it: school districts (on top of $140,000)
Who's involved
Texas homeownerseligible to claim exemptions
The facts
Texas law sets homestead exemption school districts must provide at $140,000 of home value.1
Homeowners at least 65 years old or with qualifying disability receive additional $60,000 exemption from school districts.1
Homeowners with homestead exemption benefit from state's 10% appraisal cap limiting annual taxable value increases.1
School tax bill freezes when homeowner turns 65 in Texas.1
Homeowners must have owned primary residence and lived there as of Jan. 1 to qualify for exemption.1
Undocumented immigrants cannot legally claim homestead exemption because obtaining Texas driver license is illegal for them.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
The Texas Tribune Many Texas homeowners do not claim homestead exemption despite savings potential.1
The Texas Tribune Homeowners may face hurdles when applying or may not know exemption exists.1
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
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